Ash – International Experience Has Helped

Ashley Williams believes that the international experience he has gained with Wales has assisted his step up to the Premier League

Williams has played every minute of the Swans three games to date and has helped the Swans to two clean sheets within that period and an encouraging start to their first season in the Premier League.

And as many of his team mates enjoy the two week break before making the trip to Arsenal on 10 September, Williams is off to represent his country against Montenegro and England.

“It’s going to be a tough period but this is exactly what I wanted

“I remember in days gone by I would have had three games and it would have been Macclesfield, Aldershot and Accrington.

“So to play Montenegro, England and Arsenal is what it’s all about.

“Playing international football has served me well now I have made the step up to the Premier League.

“The Premier League is a bit faster but I have played against some top strikers at international level.

“It gave me a bit more confidence going into these games.

“I feel like I am a Premier League player, it’s given me a lot of confidence because in the last three games I haven’t felt out of my depth.

“It’s frustrating obviously but it’s not really bothering us.

“I am more frustrated for the likes of Danny (Graham) who are putting in unbelievable performances. But he will brush that aside.

“You can see his work-rate is unbelievable and we are so pleased to have him.

“He has just got to keep his head up and smile because there is not much more he can do.

“There were times in both halves when we looked like we were going to score.

“We haven’t scored a goal and that is all of us, not just the strikers. We take it on as a team.

“In our next three games we play away to Arsenal and Chelsea so we would have liked a win from the last two games but we will take a lot of heart from the performances.

“I’m really enjoying the experience and I’m obviously very pleased with the two clean sheets.

“Saturday was my best game of the three that we’ve had so far and I really enjoyed it.

“The gaffer gave me a mention in the dressing room which was nice. Keeping clean sheets is pleasing not just for the defence but for the team.

“We’ve seen a lot of goals can be scored from midfield positions and it is down to everyone to defend.

“The manager used the word resilient in there for the team and that’s what we have been in the last two games.

“We’ve always said if we are tired, imagine what the other side is like trying to chase us.

“We’ve had two contrasting games in the first two fixtures and we knew that maybe Sunderland, without being disrespectful, would be more like a Championship game.

“They got the ball forward early, were a bit more physical and we have to stand up to those things.”