Phil Sumbler
The Swans look to extend their three match unbeaten run tomorrow lunchtime at Bristol City in the first of two derby clashes in six days with both fixtures giving us the chance to avenge defeats earlier in the season.
Back to back wins over Sunderland and Blackburn were followed up by a good point against Watford in midweek as Williams starts to get a better tune out of his team although he will still have at the back of his mind the fact that in all three of those games we have gone very much on the back foot in the second half.
But as he addressed the press ahead of the game he can see progression in the squad he inherited in January and believes that they are all fighting for both the club and each other in games.
Much criticism was aimed at the squad – and rightly so – about the meek way they surrendered some of their challenging fixtures in January and early February but there were strong signs of a change in mentality in midweek particularly around the defensive line. Watford were continually blocked by strong challenges from the Swans defence which protected Carl Rushworth’s goal and, despite the back foot nature of the half the Swans were good value for their point at the end of the game.
With that point safely in the bag and forgotten about focus is now on that game at Bristol City tomorrow and Williams said ahead of the game “The players are in a good place and look like a group that are together, are fighting for their club and feeling confident.
“That is a good sign for me, and we need to build on that so people play with increasing confidence and expression, with more belief in what we are doing.
“So, it’s about time and seeing those rewards for your hard work when you are looking to change things.
“We have to train as we play, and that goes for everyone because we will need everyone. We need that competition for places and people to be pushing each other.
“I know it is a human nature to be disappointed if you are not starting or playing, but if everyone approaches training with the intensity we want to play with then when the chance comes everyone is ready to contribute and everyone can make the most of their opportunities because they will come, that’s the nature of football.
“We have more knowledge and now we can try to make a more tailored training week and a more accurate starting line-up and subs because we have learned so much about the players, and the players are giving us so much.”
You can see Luke’s full press match conference by clicking here
