Swansea City head coach Steve Cooper says he won't be dwelling on weaknesses in his squad options as his side prepare for the last 15 games of the Championship season.
The Liberty Stadium side sit fourth in the table ahead of the campaign run-in, having had a bit of a wobble in recent weeks.
The loss of US striker Jordan Morris through injury has left Cooper light in the forwards department, but the boss says the club have to deal with that the best they can.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Stoke City on Wednesday, he said: "No we’ve haven’t (a lot to choose from up front), but sometimes you get dealt these cards and sometimes you have to get on with it.
"I don’t want to moan about it. Now’s not the time for it. We’re in such a busy period. Games are coming thick and fast and it’s about being positive about our work. Not focusing on what we can't do. Every manager would sit there and say they would want a bit more of this or a bit more of that."
Catch up with everything the manager said at his press conference below.
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That's it
That's all from the broadcast section of Steve Cooper's press conference.
Thanks for following it all with us. We'll have the top news line for you shortly.
Still been a great season
It’s 15 games to go, a big chunk of the season. It’s not the stage where you can talk about whether it’s a good, bad or indifferent season. I think that’s a topic for the end of the season rather than now. It’s all about delivering where it counts and that’s game days.
Cooper
On Stoke
It's a tough one because they’ve got a strong squad of players that has experience, talent, some players have cost quite a lot of money. It’ll be a strong test but we want to focus on ourselves and go there in the right frame of mind. We’re looking forward to it.
Cooper
Have you thought about the free agent market?
Not really. I’m not sure whether there is the right type of players to bring in, or whether the club would go in for it.
We need everybody to commit to all aspects of the game. Clean sheets, scoring goals, good performances. We’re not a team that will rely too much on individuals. All our work, whether it’s football or culture is about the team and being together. We want that to be what it is, a focal point of everything we do.
Cooper
January move for striker didn’t happen - highlighting why you wanted one?
We need to judge that at the end of the season. Not now. It’s still 15 games to go and so much can happen, both good and bad. At the end the proof will be in the pudding. For now it’s about seeing what we’ve got in the building, which is a brilliant set of lads who work so hard and give their all every single day. Let’s carry on getting on with it.
Cooper
Not a lot of players up front to choose from…
No we’ve haven’t, but sometimes you get dealt these cards and sometimes you have to get on with it. I don’t want to moan about it. Now’s not the time for it. We’re in such a busy period. Games are coming thick and fast and it’s about being positive about our work. Not focusing on what we can't do. Every manager would sit there and say they would want a bit more of this or a bit more of that.
Cooper
Do you have to start making changes? Got the options?
Some positions we’ve maybe got more options than others. No-one’s place is taken for granted or guaranteed. It’s a squad game, this is one of the busier periods we’re going into. You’ll see a lot of changes throughout the league and we're no different.
Cooper
Not lost back-to-back - says something about squad?
So far, yes. We’ve just got to make sure that carries on. That’s easier said than done. I’ve not really thought about that too much. We’ve got a tough game against Stoke Wednesday night. Strong squad as everyone knows. It’s one we’ve got to commit to and get ready for. Stats and that aren’t really at the forefront of our attention.
Cooper
Glad to get out there so soon?
Yeah. We're just at the stage of the season anyway where you just want to be playing games. We’re a long way into it. We’ve got a busy schedule until the international break, so it’s about head down and staying focused. Dealing with the mental fatigue, physical fatigue and committing to every single day.
Cooper
Reflect on Bristol City game?
We’ve put it to bed and moved on. It’s similar to what I said after. I won’t lose sight of how well we played at times, because we did. You want to play in that style to win games. We looked at it, the players had their view on it and we move on.
Cooper
Team news
Naughton’s fine. Ryan Bennett’s still getting back from his calf injury. Wayne’s getting closer, but won’t be ready for this week. Then there’s the longer-term boys who aren’t available.
Cooper
Palmer reveals Bristol City gameplan
Kasey Palmer admits Bristol City targeted Freddie Woodman during their 3-1 win over the forward's former club Swansea City at the weekend.
Palmer, who was recalled by the Robins in January after joining the Swans on loan in the summer, was the centre of the drama at the Liberty Stadium, conceding a penalty before netting his side's second goal as Nigel Pearson began his tenure at Ashton Gate with an impressive away win.
Swansea had previously not tasted defeat in 13 league outings in SA1, a run that was largely built on a mean-spirited defence, with Newcastle United loanee Woodman at the heart of things.
However, Woodman didn't exactly cover himself in glory for Bristol's second and third goals as his side uncharacteristically capitulated.
Speaking to the press after his triumphant return to the south Wales, Palmer admitted that targeting the Englishman was a big part of their successful game plan.
“We worked on it yesterday," he said. "It was more just everyone get round the keeper, whip it onto the keeper and try to get contact.
“If the delivery is right, it’s hard for Freddie to do anything when you have that many players around him. I am happy it went in.
“I knew the style of play, how they defend, set-pieces. But at the end of the day you still have to go out and perform.”
Brewster's woes
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking about Rhian Brewster.
The striker was once again overlooked by the Blades manager for the visit of Liverpool last night.
Something appears to be up at Bramall Lane.
You can read Wilder's cryptic comments here.
Bennett update?
Cooper will likely offer a further debrief from Saturday's disppointing defeat at the hands of Bristol City later this afternoon, and could well offer an update on some of Swansea's injured stars.
Perhaps the most pressing is Ryan Bennett, who missed the clash with the Robins with a calf injury, and remains a doubt for this midweek contest with Potters.
Siarad Cymraeg, Trunds?
Fair play. He gave it a good bash....
@LeeTrundle10 tried his hand at speaking Welsh this St David's Day pic.twitter.com/leqLfFR4t6
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 1, 2021
Arriola - I'm not here to make up the numbers
Swansea City's Paul Arriola says he is not here to make up the numbers and sit on the bench as he vows to play a part in the club's promotion push.
The US star arrived on loan on the last day of the transfer window, ending a will-he-won't-he saga that lasted most of the month of January.
He has so far been limited to cameos off the bench, making his debut chasing shadows - like the rest of Swansea 's players - against Manchester City in the FA Cup earlier this month.
Head coach Steve Cooper introduced him late on in the 3-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday as Swansea tried to fight back after being stunned by the Robins.
In truth, Arriola had little time to make an impression - although he did miss a glorious chance to give the home side parity - but he is determined to make his mark in some shape or form while he is on these shores.
"By no means am I content just to be here. I want to play,” he told The Washington Post. “I want to help the team get promoted. I want to play a part in it.
"It’s a matter of where and when and how and what I do with the opportunities.”
Welcome
Good afternoon Swans!
A very Happy St David's Day to you all.
Steve Cooper is set to face the media today ahead of Wednesday's clash with Stoke City.
Despite the quality of the performance, the Swans saw their 13-match unbeaten home league run come to an emphatic end at the hands of Bristol City at the weekend.
A swift response will certainly be required against the Potters, and we'll have all the latest from the gaffer at around 2pm.
