Steve Cooper reveals Swansea City approach to Leeds United clash
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Swansea are approaching Sunday's 1.30pm kick-off at the Liberty Stadium on the edge of the Championship's play-offs having won their last two games but now face a Whites side who have won six of their last eight and walloped Stoke City 5-0 at Elland Road on Thursday evening.
Cooper, though, while full of respect for Marcelo Bielsa's Whites says his side will look to stick to their usual plan and conduct "business as usual" in search of the three points that could take the Swans into the top six.
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Hide Ad"No change from our approach," said Cooper at his pre-match press conference.
"Our focus is always on ourselves first and how we can win the game, dominate the performance, but at the same time respect who you’re playing and what their strengths are.
"I think you have to have the same approach to every game. In terms of how we review and prepare it’s business as usual really."
Swansea will be seeking to record the double over Leeds with Cooper's men having enjoyed a 1-0 triumph at Elland Road at the end of August.
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Hide AdUnited had 62 per cent of possession and 21 attempts at goal compared to Swansea's seven but Wayne Routledge's late strike gave the Swans a victory that put them top at the time and three points ahead of Leeds.
"They’ve got different personnel," said Cooper, comparing United to then and now.
"You very rarely play the same team twice.
"They have a clear way of playing and attack and defend in a certain way, but most teams in this league do.
"You have to try and exploit where you think you can win the game."
"They’re top of the league for a reason.
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Hide Ad"They have a clear way of playing and have some good players.
"But you’ve got to look forward to this and thrive on it. If you want to achieve, these are the games you’ve got to play well in and win.
"We’re not looking at it from a negative point of view, we’re thinking it’s a great challenge and let’s go for it."
"Let’s go for things, not just now but since we’ve come back.
"There’s everything to be excited about and nothing to be fearful of."