HIGH POINT FOR LOWE
COOPER HAILS STRIKER JAMAL
STEVE Cooper hailed Jamal Lowe after the Swansea City star delivered the perfect response on the pitch to help his side claim a vital win over Millwall just a week after he was racially abused.
The Jamaica international was subjected to abuse online after his side’s loss to Birmingham City after the international break, but he refused to let it affect him as he netted twice in Swansea’s 3-0 triumph over the Lions.
His brace ended his run of 17 Swansea matches without a goal, while it helped to ensure Swansea’s four-game losing run came to a halt.
And Cooper says Lowe showed his class as well as his abilities by bagging a second-half brace against Gary Rowett’s men after missing a good chance in the opening half at The Den.
“First and foremost, we needed the win, there was no doubt about that,” said the head coach.
“But to do it in our way and our style away from home at a place like this, it just all adds up to a really positive day.
“We were a good version of ourselves today.
“I thought Wayne (Routledge) was excellent. Andre’s (Ayew) scored at a brilliant time, I thought he was a real nuisance for the Millwall defenders. “But for Jam, it’s brilliant. “I could see he was in a good position in the first half, and it’s not affected him and he then scores two. That’s how he is.
“You guys quite rightly ask me a lot about Jamal, but he doesn’t get affected by it, and a character like that is the sign of a really good player.”
Victory means Swansea now have 72 points – which is three more than they achieved in the whole of the 2019-20 campaign – with six games left to play.
Routledge was pivotal to their success in London on what was his first league start of the season.
The experienced attacker played a key role in Ayew’s opener before registering an assist for his side’s second goal.
Cooper says the veteran fully deserves the respect he is shown within the Swansea dressing room.
“Wayne’s first start in the league this season, amazing performance,” added Cooper.
“Thirty-six years of age and he plays 80 minutes. It tells you everything about how good a professional he is and how good a player he is.
“He played really well today. His positional play, his movement, not just when he was on the ball.
“He’s respected so much by everybody.
“But he showed today he’s a really good player still.”
Swansea return to action against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, the kick-off time for Swansea’s clash with Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday is set to change to avoid a clash with the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh.
As a mark of respect, all EFL matches scheduled to start at 3pm will be moved.
Details will be confirmed in due course.
An EFL spokesperson said: “As a mark of respect, EFL matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, April 17, will be moved to avoid a clash with the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
“The EFL will now work with its clubs to determine at what time the matches will be played, giving consideration to the timing of the service.
“An announcement will follow in due course.”