‘WE LACKED CREATIVITY’
STEVE Cooper believes Swansea City lacked sufficient guile at the business end of the pitch in their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. Alfa Semedo struck the only goal of the game five minutes from time to inflict a first defeat of the season on the Swans.
It was Swansea’s first home defeat in the league in 2019 while it was also their first loss in all competitions since they were thrashed 4-0 by Queens Park Rangers in April.
Swansea ended the game having had just one shot on target.
And Cooper admits the home side didn’t do enough to emerge victorious against Sabri Lamouchi’s men.
“I don’t think we did enough to win the game, that’s for sure, and that’s probably the most frustrating bit,” said the Swansea head coach.
“We have conceded. We have made a mistake and conceded an awful goal, really.
“I am not sure we deserved to lose either, but the main focus is that we did not do enough to win the game, which was the goal today.
“I think we had issues at the top end of the pitch.
“I think we had enough possession and good positions, but on the day we lacked a little bit of creativity, a little bit of risk-taking and a little bit of confidence to go and make a difference up there.
“Ultimately it cost us because we did not create enough good chances.
“We could see that as it was going on and that’s the bit you have to exploit when you have a lot of possession and you are allowed to go up the pitch.
“We are more than capable of that, as we have shown, but today it didn’t happen.
“The game went as we thought, we knew Forest can create chances, but we know they are happy not to have the ball and sit on the edge of their own area.
“They are good away from home so we knew we would come up against good numbers in and around their box, and you have to match them with numbers and then you have to try and make a difference.”
Despite defeat, Swansea remain at the top of the table, with Leeds United facing Barnsley today knowing that a win will see them return to the summit.
And Cooper admits his side won’t be too downbeat following what was a rare bad day at the office.
“We have to carry on with our work, it’s not happened too often since I have come in,” he added.
“That was the case here but we stick to the plan, we get our heads down and get ready for the next one.
“We analyse the game, compare to how we want to play and stick to the plan of how we work.
“Through highs and lows, that’s what we will do. Bouncing back is the only option.
“We are not going to cry, we are disappointed as we should be. But we have to get over it and get back to work.”
Swansea return to action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate next weekend.
Swans analysis: Sports pullout