Steve Cooper | We should have put the game to bed
Steve Cooper felt a failure to close out the game denied Swansea City victory in a dramatic encounter with fellow play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers.
Cooper’s side fought from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Rhian Brewster and Andre Ayew - from the spot - while Freddie Woodman saved his second penalty of the week to deny former Swan Danny Graham.
But, just like they had in recent away trips at Hull City and Fulham, the Swans conceded in injury time as sub Bradley Johnson’s deflected strike broke the visitors’ hearts.
“It’s a difficult end to a difficult week,” said Cooper. “It has been a tough challenge with the scheduling (two away trips in the space of three days) and other stuff going on.
“I thought we started leggy and weren’t at the intensity we wanted to.
“We conceded a soft goal, which actually livened us up a bit.
“We got a goal before half-time, and then the break was an opportunity to remind the players of what we demand from them.
“We started the second half fantastically well and got the penalty from Jordon on his full league debut. Andre then stuck it away.
“We always look to how we can improve – we should have put the game to bed.
“We were camped around their box for a while, and we put in crosses and had a few shots which we should have been better at.
“At the end they throw everything forward and a shot deflects and goes in.”
Johnson’s late strike was the third consecutive away game in which Cooper’s side has conceded in additional time.
But he didn’t feel his side were to blame for the way in which they conceded Rovers’ equaliser.
The Swans boss added: “Today is a bit different because of the nature of the week. It’s been a demanding week physically and emotionally.
“If we had made a clear and obvious mistake, like we did at Hull late on, then it’s tough to take but it’s a deflected strike. Sometimes you don’t get much luck either, and we didn’t get any at the end.
“I’ve no complaints with the lads because they put in a big effort today.”
