Boss tells high-flying Swans to get ready for ‘rocky road’

STEVE COOPER has warned shock leaders Swansea City to brace themselves for a challenging time ahead.

But the Swans manager, 39, believes his players can handle the pressure of their surprise promotion push.

Cooper, the Championship’s manager of the month for August, said: “I’m not naive to think it isn’t a rocky road but we need to stick to our plans and beliefs.

“Whatever noise that goes on around that, we’re deaf to it. All I want to focus on is our performance and what we’re bringing to the table every single day.

“I believe in the players. I see them train every day and I see them wanting to be the best they can be. From what I see day-in,

Vday-out, when we’re at our best I really back us. We’ve just got to keep that going. If we do that I believe every day can be a success.

“It’s a challenge. I spoke to the players about making sure we continue to make every day a productive one, not just matchdays.

“I’m a big believer in getting the preparation right.We are taking it step by step and day by day.

“It’s all about recovery and preparation for the next game. In terms of how we work there’s been no differences.”

Swansea forward Andre Ayew will be available for today’s home clash against Nottingham Forest after opting to stay at the Liberty

Stadium. Ayew, 29, spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce and received offers from several European clubs.

Cooper added: “Andre’s a highprofile player here in the Championship and he did have offers. He could have gone.

“But he wanted to stay because he believes in what we’re doing and he wants to be a part of it.”

Forest have blown hot and cold under boss Sabri Lamouchi, who said he would have liked to have seen his attacking ranks bolstered.

Lewis Grabban is the club’s sole striker available and Lamouchi has looked at free agents.

He said: “It is difficult. It was difficult to find one before and it’s more difficult to find one now. If the player is free, there is some reason for that.” HOW THEY STAND *not including last night’s match