Steve Cooper | We must be confident, not complacent

Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper says his side face Birmingham City today full of confidence in their Liberty Stadium record, but has cautioned against complacency in the lunchtime kick-off.

The Swans are unbeaten in 13 home league games stretching back to Boxing Day, 2018, when Aston Villa claimed all three points in SA1.

Indeed, the only side to beat Swansea in their own backyard in any competition in 2019 is treble-winning Manchester City, who themselves needed to fight back from two goals down to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

It means Cooper’s side – enjoying their best start to a season since 1978 – will be in a positive frame of mind as they face Pep Clotet’s Blues.

But the Swans boss knows the threat the visitors – who have also made a good start – will post, and that the hosts’ attitude and application will need to be spot on. 

“It’s a good record and it means the players are confident and the fans are getting behind the team,” said Cooper.

“But it’s not just a matter of turning up at the Liberty and thinking we’re going to win a football match because we are there.

“We have to go and make it happen, which is what we have done in those previous 13 games.

“That’ll be our focus, getting the mindset right.

“It’s been a hectic period but we’re coming through it fine.

“We enjoy being at home but we need to earn the right to get the performance and result and we want to deliver when it counts.

“They will play a different formation and style and are a real threat off set-pieces.

“They are a big team and we need to be ready for that.”