Phil Sumbler
Luke Williams cut a frustrated figure on Tuesday evening as he watched his side blown away by Leeds United in a 4-0 defeat and it is something that he has said we cannot afford to feel sorry for ourselves on when we face Ipswich at the Swansea.com this afternoon.
The games come thick and fast at the moment and this afternoon’s game reflects the fourth tine in the last six games we have come up against a side pushing for promotion in the division’s top four.
A 3-1 defeat to both Southampton and Leicester and Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat to Leeds make for disappointing results for the Swans not just for the result itself but the level of performance with all three games seeing the Swans almost freeze in the headlights at the start of the game and find themselves chasing the game from the early stages.
Couple in 5-0 defeats at both Southampton and Bournemouth (FA Cup) in the past eight weeks and it has been a tough time for the Swans and this afternoon’s game will prove to be another big challenge for Luke Williams’ side despite the indifferent form of Ipswich over recent weeks.
It is therefore no surprise that Williams is looking for more from his players as he explained pre-match “It goes without saying that we want to put on a much better showing than the one we produced against Leeds United in midweek.
“We were facing a tough opponent who have been enjoying an excellent season, and have the quality to hurt you.
“That’s the nature of football but it does not excuse playing with the lack of intensity and aggression we showed on Tuesday night.”
That lack of intensity and aggression was something heavily criticised after the game on Tuesday night with the Swans seemingly often no nearer than five yards away from the Leeds midfield which had more space than they could have realistically expected. The 4-0 defeat could easily have become more had it not been for Carl Rushworth as the Swans defence became more and more shaky and it is something that Williams wants to correct as soon as possible.
“You have to commit completely to the gameplan and be prepared to be brave,” he added. “Because ultimately we don’t just want to exist in this league, we want to be competitive in it.
“To do that we have to play with the required level of intensity and carry the work we do on the training field onto the pitch on a matchday.
“The players are working so hard every day, and it is going to take for us to implement the things we are putting in place. We are learning every day we work together and every time we go out on the pitch.
“But we also know we have to be able to deliver results when we are doing that. All the good work going in at Fairwood has to come out on the pitch during a match for longer periods.
“I am confident we will do that, but I am telling the players and everyone here that we have to start playing football and thinking about the game at a higher level so we can try and compete, not just be in this division but make a fist of it.
“We absolutely have to get back to work, we do not have time to sit and sulk or dwell on the game in midweek.
“We have to go and work and put in a much better performance.”
