Confident performances a plus for Swansea City boss Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper has been pleased to see the confidence with which his side has been performing as they prepare to face Norwich in their final fixture before the international break.

The Swans remain second in the Championship after stretching their unbeaten run to five games with a draw at Brentford in midweek.

They are also unbeaten on their travels in the 2020-21 campaign to date, and there was no disguising the growing confidence in the Swans’ recent performances, particularly against a Brentford side who were play-off finalists last term.

The head coach knows there is a long, long way to go in this season, and nothing should be taking for granted because of a good start.

But he acknowledges he has been happy with recent performances, even though he feels there is more to come.

“You want to start games on the front foot, and I thought we looked very confident from the outset against Brentford,” he said.

“I would have liked us to have committed a few more bodies to our attacks at times, I thought we made Brentford look a bit vulnerable at times and I would have liked us to capitalise on that.

“But it’s hard to keep creating and scoring chances, but we continue to play well.

“I am a coach that takes a lot of pride in the performance – sometimes regardless of the result – I feel it is important to perform well and we have been doing that.”

Swansea have also shown an ability to overcome setbacks, coming from behind against Coventry and Brentford, and following a late setback against Bristol City with wins over Stoke and Blackburn.

Matt Grimes and Andre Ayew combined to get them back on terms against the Bees, with the midfielder bursting to the byline to keep the ball in and cut back a fine cross with his weaker right foot.

“That was an example of the lads making that commitment and effort to score a goal,” added Cooper.

“He managed to get half a yard, and delivered a good ball, then Andre does what Andre does.

“If anything, that came from a bit of frantic play while we are also carving them open in general play and creating proper chances.”