By Paul Jones
Steve Cooper insisted he will not allow talk of a sub-standard playing surface at the Liberty Stadium to deflect Swansea City from their pursuit of promotion.
The Swans were held to a 0-0 draw by Bournemouth on Tuesday night – a result that was good enough to take the visitors to the top of the Championship table on goal difference.
The Swans stay in fourth spot, just one point adrift of their opponents, but it was the state of the pitch – rather than the result – which animated both Cooper and Cherries manager Jason Tindall.
One half of the pitch appears threadbare and uneven, a condition that provoked Tindall into claiming Swansea – who have two training grounds – are currently using the stadium pitch to train on, a claim Cooper denied.
Tindall, who also felt Bournemouth were denied a clear penalty when Wales international David Brooks appeared to be tripped by defender Joel Latibeaudiere, said: “It’s not in brilliant condition.
“There’s no nice way of putting it – it’s in poor condition.
“I think the Swansea guys train on it quite often and they’ve got the rugby on it, too. It’s not what you expect at a club like this but it is what it is and you get on with it.”
Cooper said: “It is what it is. I think we are all searching for the answer. If we get one we’ll let you know.
“I am a big believer in don’t let anything get in your way. We have quite a lot things go against us at this club because of where we are and who we are.
“We can be seen at times as a bit of a soft touch. I am not having that.
“We are trying to build a mentality in the group that it’s only us that can get in the way of ourselves, not anything else. We’ll just get on with it.”
The Swans head coach preferred to focus on the performance of central defender Latibeaudiere, who was making his first start since his move from Manchester City.
“I thought he was outstanding,” said Cooper.
“Not just the level that he played at but to think, I can’t remember the last time he played a game.
“He can’t play for the Under-23s at the moment, he’s just recovered from an injury before he joined us from Man City.
“Covid restrictions are denying the lads who are not playing in the first team minutes elsewhere. For him to play at that level and that intensity tells you everything, not just about his level, about his attitude and commitment.
“The rest of the lads appreciated it. He got a really big round of applause. It’s not a lively dressing room, we didn’t win the game, but there’s a lot of appreciation for what Joel did tonight from the boys.
“He should be really proud of himself, and I’m proud of him too.
“You have to respect that Bournemouth have as strong a squad as anybody in the league and they’d had a day extra of rest, which is critical in the schedule that we’re in.
“In the end, I thought it was a good effort from the boys to get what was a fair result.”
Junior Stanislas, Dominic Solanke and Adam Smith all had chances for the new leaders, but the tightest defence in the league eventually contained a prolific attack which had mustered 17 goals in their previous six matches.
For Swansea – who face a difficult local derby at revitalised Cardiff City on Saturday at noon – the result keeps them in fourth spot, but only a single point behind Bournemouth.
They had their own opportunities, but rarely at home do they spend such long periods without the ball.
Few teams come to the Liberty Stadium and dominate possession, but Bournemouth had Swansea chasing shadows for the opening quarter.
The chances they created, however, were spurned on a playing surface that allowed little leeway for error.
A surging run from Lewis Cook opened space for Junior Stanislas, but the striker shot wide before an even better opportunity was blasted over the bar by Dominic Solanke after an exquisite through ball from David Brooks.
Welsh international Brooks was a constant danger to Swansea, but the home side gradually exerted their own pressure and Jamal Lowe’s sharp turn and shot forced Asmir Begovic into a save just before half-time.
Moments later, the industrious Lowe had a penalty appeal turned down when his shot struck a Bournemouth defender.
The pattern was repeated at the start of the second-half, with the turquoise Cherries patiently trying to open Swansea’s deep-laying defence.
They appeared to have unlocked the rearguard effort successfully in the 50th minute but when the ball fell invitingly to Stanislas, the former Burnley player pulled his volley wide of the post from 12 yards.
With Andre Ayew – so often Swansea’s talisman – appearing subdued, it was left to Yan Dhanda to respond with his team’s own moments of creativity.
Twice Dhanda broke clear on the right, but first his cross and then his attempted shot towards Begovic’s near post lacked precision.
When Bournemouth resumed their own offensive , Adam Smith and Solanke had goal-bound efforts blocked in a crowded goalmouth before the visitors felt aggrieved as another penalty decision went against them.
This time, their cause seemed more justified as Brooks has his legs taken by a rash challenge from Joel Latibeaudiere.
Lewis Cook was only inches wide with a shot from the edge of the box, but the Swans eventually weathered another storm and it passed.
