Steve Cooper has told his Swansea City players they were “nowhere near good enough” after suffering a loss that may have ended their hopes of automatic promotion. The Swans gave a shapeless, lifeless and error-strewn display as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at struggling Birmingham City. It was a third successive defeat – the first time that has occurred since Cooper became head coach – a goalless period that has seen the club lose touch with second-place Watford as the Championship seasons enters its business end.

Swansea City boss Steve Cooper has spoken to all the necessary federations regarding the welfare of his players in this international window – except that is, for the FAW. Following yesterday’s damaging derby day loss to Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium, Cooper revealed there had been no discussions with anyone from the Welsh set up despite the call ups for Connor Roberts and Ben Cabango.  Brandon Cooper and Lewis Webb are also involved at under 21 level.

Mick McCarthy reckons Cardiff City have got their promotion mojo back after their gritty 1-0 win at Swansea City in the Welsh derby. The Bluebirds now sit four points outside the top six after Aden Flint’s early header clinched derby delight for McCarthy’s men, but left Swansea City in danger of losing touch with the automatic promotion slots. Cardiff faced the prospect of a relegation battle when McCarthy took over from Neil Harris, but they are now looking up after an important battling triumph over their fiercest rivals.

Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy has praised the work Steve Cooper has done at Swansea City – but that’s the only compliment he will dish out before the South Wales derby. The Bluebirds chief says Cooper has done a great job to have the Swans challenging for promotion again after the heartache after last season’s play-offs heartache.

Andre Ayew won’t miss any Swansea City matches when the Championship resumes after the international window, insists head coach Steve Cooper. The Ghana skipper is due to head to the Cape Coast after Saturday’s crucial Welsh derby against Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium, to lead his team into a massive qualifying match against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana have three fixtures lined-up in the international window, two of which will conclude their qualifying campaign.

Steve Cooper refused to blame fatigue for Swansea City’s 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth which has left his team struggling to keep pace with the top two clubs in the Championship. A poor defensive display and inadequate response to falling 2-0 down by half-time saw the Swans fall to their first defeat in five matches. Philip Billing’s blistering early strike, an own goal from defender Joel Latibeaudiere and Arnaut Danjuma’s thumping late finish helped revive Bournemouth’s play-off ambitions.

Steve Cooper says Swansea City are on a treadmill – but hailed his side’s efforts as they ground out another victory. Conor Hourihane’s early strike and an 18th clean sheet of the season took the Swans into second in the Championship with Watford being held at Cardiff City.

The claims of Neil Warnock – that referees might be influenced when they take charge of Swansea City because of their links to head coach Steve Cooper’s father, Keith – have been rebuffed by Luton manager Nathan Jones. Cooper and fellow Welshman Jones will go head-to-head on Saturday when the Swans go to Kenilworth Road for a lunchtime kick-off. The Swans have had four penalties awarded to them in their last four matches, the last three all being hotly disputed by opposition managers.

Steve Cooper was grateful to come away with a point as his Swansea City side missed a chance to move into the automatic promotion places in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers. Andre Ayew scored his fourth penalty in as many games to draw Swansea level moments after Bradley Dack’s 37th-minute opener, but Ayew’s spot-kick was the Swans’ only shot on target as they were left hanging on in the second half. The point is enough to move them level with second-placed Watford, still with a game in hand on the Hornets, and head coach Cooper was grateful to take at least something from the game given how many chances Blackburn created.

Andre Ayew could miss at least two and possibly three of Swansea City’s key Championship matches if he goes away on international duty with Ghana. The Swans striker is due to captain his country in an African Nations Cup qualifier in South Africa on March 25. Unless the tie is moved elsewhere, then if Ayew played he would be forced to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days on his return and miss games against Birmingham City, Preston and possibly Millwall.

Steve Cooper has insisted he works for a “classy club” after refusing to get involved in a war of words with Neil Warnock. The clash between the pair happened both during and after Swansea City’s controversial 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Liberty Stadium. Warnock could be heard referencing Cooper’s father Keith during one of several rants during the game in which Boro conceded a 97th minute penalty and also had a goal ruled out for a foul.

Swansea City’s promotion push is being driven along the hard yards by Connor Roberts, the man the fans have nicknamed the Crynant Cafu. Roberts may not yet have hit the heights of the most capped Brazillian player of all time, but his energy levels seem to be sourced from the same type of internal battery pack. The Swans and Wales wing-back is proving the dynamo driving his team’s promotion surge, but it is anything but a stroll in the park.