Phil Sumbler
Luke Williams cut a frustrated figure after the weekend defeat at Middlesbrough but his reaction last night was, unsurprisingly, the opposite as he reflected back on a comfortable and deserved win over Stoke at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Goals from Liam Cullen, Matt Grimes and a first home goal for Josh Key sealed a comprehensive win for the Swans on the back of a performance that was pretty much everything that Luke Williams wanted it to be.
The challenge now for Williams and his side is to put in that level of performance on a weekly basis. We saw it against Cardiff and we saw it against Stoke but this needs to become the norm with Williams praising the energy, intensity and aggression of the performance, something that he has said that he wants to see on a regular basis.
In particular, Williams singled out man of the match Matt Grimes for praise after the captain led from the front throughout the game as well as scoring from the spot to double the Swans lead early in the second half.
“He was outstanding, what a player. He steps up for the penalty and you could almost tell from his stance that it was going to be a goal,” said Williams.
“That was a proper penalty from a proper captain. There was no safety lock on there, his technique was so good, and that confidence and swagger meant there was only one outcome.
“He’s a brilliant guy, and we are lucky to have him.”
Williams had demanded a response from his team after the weak way they surrendered at Middlesbrough at the weekend and there was little doubt that he got the response that he needed with the win taking the Swans past the fifty point barrier and banishing any remaining lingering fears of relegation.
“We got a response, I think everyone could see that,” added Williams.
“I was pretty direct after the Middlesbrough game, the players put that right and that’s a good feeling as a coach.
“The energy, intensity and aggression were there throughout the whole game, and then there were some lovely moments as well.
“When the fans come to the game they want to see these things as a minimum.
“The best bit was the willingness throughout the whole game to put their bodies on the line.
“Liam Cullen had to come off because he literally could not feel his legs, and that’s the only way.
“Win, lose or draw there has to be something there that everyone can see, that people are giving everything.
“You can lose a game of football you don’t deserve to lose, but to lose without giving the absolutely maximum is not a nice feeling.
“Tonight we gave the maximum and we got the points.”
