Cooper relishing emotions of play-off chase

Steve Cooper is relishing Swansea City’s hunt for a play-off spot, and says he and his players are happy to embrace the pressure.

The Swans kept their top-six aspirations alive as they beat Bristol City 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium, courtesy of a goal from Connor Roberts on the stroke of half-time.

It means Cooper’s team head to Reading on Wednesday still in with a chance of extending their season.

They will kick off three points behind Cardiff, knowing a win against the Royals could be enough if results elsewhere go their way.

Cooper was put through the emotional wringer during the closing stages against Bristol City as the game zipped from end to end.

But he is enjoying the tension that is such a part of life in the Championship at this time of the campaign.

“I’m really enjoying it, although of course it’s tense when something really matters to you and the players,” said the head coach.

“We see how hard they work every single day and we are part of a proud club and city.

“So it is going to be tense, but it’s brilliant. I would not have it any other way.

“It goes to the final day and anything can happen, we have to take care of our business, as we said before this game.

“We have got three points, we recover, we get ready to go to Reading and hopefully play as well as we did today.

“We still have to go and win against Reading, regardless of anything else around us. If we don’t do that, nothing else will matter.

“Anything can happen in the Championship as we know, all sides have professional pride, you can see that if you look at this game.

“But it comes down to us, first and foremost.”