Kyle Naughton has hailed Steve Cooper’s management skills as the reason behind Swansea City’s stunning start to the season.
The Swans full-back scored the opening goal in his side’s 3-0 victory over Birmingham City on Sunday – an emphatic win that ensured the club have made their best start to a season for 41 years.
For Naughton the result was further evidence of the impact Cooper has made at the club since he took over from Graham Potter earlier in the summer.
According to Naughton – now among the club’s longest-serving players following his arrival in January 2015 – Cooper’s planning, his work on certain weaknesses, and his willingness to involve a wider group of players have all paid dividends.
“He’s managed us very well,” said Naughton. “There have been a lot of meetings. We have focused specifically on set-plays because that was a big area for improvement from last year.
“We’ve also been working hard on our tactics, passing style and trying to keep the ball moving. Since he’s come in, things have worked.
“He’s rotated the team a little bit as well with different players given their opportunity, which is good for those who aren’t always involved. That is going to keep us up the higher end of the table.
“The Championship is a long and hectic season, so you need fresh legs. Every man will be needed and, hopefully, they can deliver the goods when called upon.”
Second-half goals from Naughton, Bersant Celina and Borja Baston did the damage for Swansea.
It might still be early days, but Swansea’s numbers right now are impressive. Cooper has taken 13 league points from a possible 15 since succeeding Potter.
Swansea are now 14 games unbeaten at home in all competitions which is their best run since moving to the Liberty Stadium in 2005.
They haven’t lost at home in the league since Boxing Day and the last team to win in South Wales was Manchester City in a March FA Cup tie. This season’s start is their best since 1978-79.
Although they went in level and scoreless, the Swans were quick out of the traps. They dominated the ball from the first minute to the last and they had 77 per cent of the first half possession.
The club now host Cambridge in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday night, before travelling for a top-of-the-table clash with Leeds in the Championship three days later.
Another victory at Elland Road, would take the Swans clear at the top of the table after six matches and give further evidence of Cooper’s impact, which has already seen the club move up to fourth favourites for promotion behind Leeds, Fulham and West Brom.
“I think that’s our best performance over 90 minutes,” said Cooper after the win over Birmingham – his team’s third in succession.
“The focus on top of the game plan was to start well and play at our level for 90 minutes and I felt we did that.
“I know we came in 0-0 at half-time, but I was happy with how we were playing. I just felt we needed to be more prepared to take risks at the top of the pitch and fortunately the players did that.
“We’ve got a good return in points and we’re pleased, but what’s more important is we know why we’re getting points – with our style of play both on and off the ball and having the ability to dig deep and show resilience.”