By David Williams
Steve Cooper is ready to shake things up at Swansea City after questioning his players’ attitude during their jolting home defeat to bottom club Luton Town.
The Swansea City head coach was unimpressed by his players’ mental approach and said he would consider swift changes for the next game at Millwall on Tuesday night.
The defeat undid the good start to the resumption the Swans had achieved with their 3-0 away win at Middlesbrough and leaves the club back in 10th position in the Championship, four points adrift of the play-off places.
“There is now the option for changes,” said Cooper.
“What today has done is open up the door for everybody. After last week it was difficult to see how we might want to change the team, but we are crying out for a bit of consistency.
“We’ve only got ourselves to blame, that’s for sure. Poor result, poor performance. We didn’t see that coming, not just last week but the build-up coming into the game.
“I didn’t like our attitude. Once the game started, I didn’t like our attitude towards it.
“We weren’t efficient enough in terms of doing the basics well. We were waiting for the person next to us to get the job done, rather than doing it ourselves.
“When you start like that, it’s difficult sometimes to shake it off. At half-time we tried to liven it up and we were a bit better but not to the level we expect. We were playing in their half and around their goal without getting too many chances.
“We gave away a poor goal, giving away possession a few times and a free cross into the box and a free header. Really, really disappointing day.
“We’ve done it too many times this year when we’ve put ourselves in a good position and not capitalised on it. For me, it’s a mentality thing.”
Asked if the defeat could prove costly in the race for the play-offs, Cooper added: “It will because points are so important at this stage of the season. We don’t want to be relying on other teams – we want to be taking care of business ourselves.
“There was a real opportunity to win the game and kick on into what will be a hectic period. To not do that is really disappointing but we’ve only got ourselves to blame.”
Luton saw their hopes of survival improve with a shock victory at 10-man Swansea thanks to a second-half header from striker James Collins.
Nathan Jones’ side travelled to the Liberty Stadium bottom of the table, but they did not play like relegation candidates as they had the better of a poor first half.
Swansea were far from their best and Collins made them pay in the second half as he settled what was a game of few chances.
Jordan Garrick was sent off in the 83rd minute for Swansea for a punch, capping an afternoon to forget for Cooper.
He added: “It’s a clear red. I’ve got no arguments. I thought the referee caused the melee, but I don’t want my comment on the referee to hide the fact that Jordon has done something that is a clear red.”
