To say Luke Cundle and Oli Cooper have impressed this season is an understatement, in the case of Cundle on loan from Wolves and academy product Cooper it would be hard to have predicted the understanding both players would put together back when the two started to get recognition in the starting eleven.
Cundle has bagged a goal plus an assist, and Cooper has three to his name, all well taken efforts over three home games. It’s all looking very bright for the swans with these two in the team. Oli at twenty two has taken a bit of time to break in to the first team but now he is there the ‘sponge’ as manager Russell Martin calls him is going to take some shifting. We can’t expect both of these young men to be dead certs for every game and they are performing better at home but surely thoughts must now turn to them both starting at Ashton Gate on Saturday against Bristol City ?
Speaking after the derby victory on Sunday Cooper was still in dreamland after his opening goal. This after a well taken effort with his right foot after Cundle battled his way through the Cardiff defence. "It’s amazing. I can’t quite put it into words yet. I’m still all over the place, it’s something that I've been dreaming about for a long time. It means so much to the fans and a lot to me having been at the club for such a long time. Every goal is special, but to get it against Cardiff, especially the way I scored, is massive. I think the way we try to play is to be as patient as we can and keep working the ball until the gaps appear. We didn’t think they would sit off quite as much as they did. The early red card has probably changed their plans completely”
He may well be right but the swans would have beaten this Cardiff outfit with thirteen players without doubt, the quality shone through all over the pitch. If it wasn’t for the total inefficiency of referee Darren Bond and his officials the scoreline would have been far more.
All Cooper needs now is proper squad recognition for the World Cup.
On Cundle, Russell Martin was a big part of him coming to Swansea. "Luke is one we’ve watched for a while. We’ve spoken to a couple of people we know at Wolves who have worked with him, and play with him, and they all speak very highly of him. He did well in the under-23s last season and made his debut for Wolves in the Premier League. He’s an excellent footballer. This is his first experience of playing week in week out in the Championship so that’s never easy, but I think he’ll bring us some creativity and confidence on the pitch. He is confident and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do and bring to us” Some will remember we reported Swansea staff at Wolves during the week Luke signed. Some felt that was to do with a Swansea player leaving but rumours were already circulating of a bright young player at Molineux.
Both players started ahead of Olivier Ntcham on Sunday in a fluid midfield with attacking intent proven when both players cropped up in the Cardiff penalty area on numerous occasions. Their youthfulness and exuberance coupled with their desire to learn and listen to the clubs coaching staff is most certainly paying off. Ryan Manning and Jamie Paterson may well expect an immediate return to the team when available, Manning especially as he was a top performer before his injury. But that’s not a dead cert either. From what we hear it could be he starts on the bench on Saturday. Paterson could be out for a bit longer. And in his case the way back is going to be far tougher. Some would say ‘if at all’ before the World Cup break.
Luke Cundle stamping his quality all over the Swansea midfield and attack
Russell Martin won’t want to burn out the two players, Cundle is only twenty but it’s very hard to dismiss them from starting again on Saturday in front of another huge travelling swans support. The winning streak has been impressive, it has elevated the swans in to fourth place and within touching distance of the top of the table. The side need to grasp these moments positively and there’s no reason why more joy can’t be gained from an away trip to Bristol City.
With Oli Cooper and Luke Cundle we hope.
Bristol City v Swansea City kicks off at noon on Saturday. The game is on Sky Sports Red Button 🔴