Steve Cooper has reached the Championship play-offs in each of his first two seasons as a club bossSteve Cooper has brushed off Valerien Ismael's claim that there is "massive pressure" on Swansea City heading into the Championship play-offs. Barnsley boss Ismael says Swansea must cope with the weight of expectation in their semi-final meeting having missed out on automatic promotion. But Cooper believes Swansea, Barnsley and fellow semi-finalists Brentford and Bournemouth start on an equal footing. Barnsley were 21st in the Championship when Ismael was named head coach in October 2020. "When I came, I recognise three or four teams, I say they have to be in the first two places and Swansea were among those teams," Ismael said.

Source: BBC May 15, 2021 15:00 UTC