Steve Cooper insists his high-flying Swans will not be “snobby” about their elevated status.
The Swansea City manager remains unbeaten since he took charge at the club after a 3-1 victory at QPR on Wednesday night lifted his team to second place in the Championship table.
With four matches played, only Leeds United are above Cooper’s men on goal difference after three victories and a draw.
The former England U17 coach insists, however, his players will continue to get their hands dirty and do the basic jobs in defence – something that proved their undoing under Graham Potter last season.
Cooper said: “There are two sides to the game – we have all said how we want to play and we are committed to that. We scored three really good goals.
“But we are not snobbish enough to think that you can neglect defending in all areas of the pitch.
“I thought at times we pressed well in the first half, our mid-block was outstanding.
“When they did get through we had players defending first and foremost with their heart and soul, putting everything on the line.
“But there was a lot of good decision-making too, and that’s where we want to be.”
Borja Baston’s 70th-minute penalty – his fourth goal in as many matches – put the Swans back in front soon after Jordan Hugill’s equaliser and Sam Surridge rubber-stamped the victory by nodding in Andre Ayew’s cross from close range 10 minutes later.
Borja scored from the spot after Yoann Barbet tripped Jordon Carrick, just three minutes after Hugill had cancelled out Bersant Celina’s opener.
Cooper added: “We’re going to take it one game at a time and I know that’s the boring answer that you don’t want to hear, but it’s what we’ve done so far.
“We believe in the way we work. We believe in the methodology. We’re creating a culture with the players where we’re enjoying training and believing in the plan.
“It’s now just about recovery and preparing for the game on Sunday. We will not look any further than that because the moment we do is the moment we lose focus and that’s not what we’re about.”
“I think any three points away from home is good, but that tonight was one we were pleased with.
“I don’t think a lot of sides will come here and get three points, QPR are a good side, with a fantastic coach in Mark Warburton.
“But, in that first half, I thought we played some really good stuff. I would have liked us to create a few more clear chances.
“We got into good shooting areas, and we took the lead through a good pass from Andre and Bersant showed good composure to score
“We were happy with the situation at half-time, we knew they would go for it and commit more bodies so we knew there would be chances to exploit at the back and that’s how it panned out.
“It’s great when that happens and now it is full focus and maximum effort before Birmingham on Sunday.”
