By Gareth James
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 left the Swans third in the Championship on gaol difference – only denied second place by Watford’s injury-time winner at Cardiff City.
And Cooper – who made five changes to his side – insists the platers are giving everything in an intense period of the campaign.
“Obviously, we are happy with the three points and the clean sheet,” said Cooper.
“It was a really tough game to play in, Luton don’t lose many games here and you throw in the pitch and the wind; it had the makings of not being a pretty game.
“So the result and the three points is the focus and well done to the lads.
“We scored a good goal, there weren’t many chances in the game.
“At the moment, it’s a treadmill of keeping going and staying on it.
“It’s hard, pitches are difficult, conditions are difficult, the games are ramping up. So, it takes a lot to win games.
“I am glad we showed quality at the right moment, but in terms of the commitment and attitude – after making five changes, some of which were forced on us – it was brilliant.
“We try to play as we do, it’s easier in some games than others. Luton had a full week of rest and I am not letting any negativity come into the camp from the outside.
“The focus is what the lads are doing, they are working really hard. We have 10 points from the last 12 after losing against Bristol City, where we played really well.
“The boys are giving everything for themselves and the football club.
”I will not let anything distract from that, because they are a great group who are giving their all every day to achieve for this football club.”
Hourihane netted the winner with less than three minutes gone steering a low shot into the net for his fifth goal since his loan move from Aston Villa.
Yan Dhanda palmed a crucial role in the winner as he got the better of Matty Pearson, reaching the byline before pulling the ball back for the midfielder.
Cooper added: “Yan showed great quality and awareness in a tight situation, it was a touch of class and you fancy Conor in those situations.
“He is at a level where you expect him to score, we had the one good moment there to get him on the ball and he took it.
Cooper, though, revelled that on loan Chelsea defender Marc Guehl could miss several games after being ruled out of the trip to Kenilworth Road with a groin injury.
“I think he will be out for a little while, it is still settling down,” added Cooper. “It’s a fatigue muscle injury, so it is inconclusive at the moment.
“Marc has had a brilliant season. He is 20 and playing centre-back in the Championship, so playing at the level he has is a credit to him.
“He will be chomping at the bit to get back, because he just wants to play.
“But Joel Latibeaudiere came in today and I thought was excellent in a difficult game.”
The Hatters dominated for much of the game and had several chances to level.
But a win leaves the Swans right in that automatic promotion mix ahead of the crunch games at play-off chasing Bournemouth and the South Wales derby.
Swans are on amazing run. They were marginally the better team against Coventry in a grim match. Otherwise they have not been the better side in any of their last eight games. They have been on the back foot against lower-half teams like Luton, Blackburn and Nottingham Forest, were seconf best to Middlesborough and Stoke and have lost to Bristol City and relegation strugglers Huddersfield. Yet they have chalked up five wins in that time. That is a huge credit to their perseverance but it also reflects a lot of luck. The last time they played well was 5th February against Norwich. Against Blackburn they were reduced to aimless long balls. The luck can’t last so they need to rediscover some confidence and faith in playing football. That also means a couple of the midfielders have to run to offer options and create space. If they are too tired, put the kids, like Cooper in. In recent games Swans have been static or walking about. It is perfectly fair for manager Cooper to denounce negativity but I hope he’s not kidding himself.