WILLIAMS: LET’S END ON A HIGH
Rinomhota OG 74
LUKE Williams has challenged Swansea City to keep up their momentum and secure a top-half finish in the Championship, after watching his side ease to a 1-0 win over Rotherham United on Saturday.
Swansea secured back-to-back wins for only the second time since October courtesy of an Andy Rinomhota own goal 17 minutes from time, a result that all but secures Championship safety.
The gap between Swansea and the relegation zone now stands at nine points, but Huddersfield Town’s vastly inferior goal difference means safety is more or less assured.
Williams admitted it wasn’t a vintage performance from his side, but was clearly pleased by the application shown against an already-relegated Millers outfit.
“It wasn’t thrilling but I don’t think anyone could question whether or not the players approached the game with the correct mentality,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone could question the work rate and the aggression and the intensity of their performance.
“I think we attacked the box so much that it would have been much more fun if we scored more and converted more chances.
“I think we would have all come away with a more different experience and feeling.”
It’s the first time Swansea have secured consecutive clean sheets under Williams, who was delighted by his side’s defensive display.
“For me I’m happy with the base, I’m happy with the energy and intensity and how much we controlled the game,” he added.
“It’s not easy to play a Championship game and not register a single shot against you on target.
“It’s hard, against anyone. I’m happy with that. I think we had 12 shots inside the box.
“It would be lovely to score more goals when you’re that dominant.”
A greater cutting edge up front is perhaps the most obvious area in need of improvement for next season, and Williams admits he faces a busy transfer window this summer.
However, he also suggested there is perhaps more to get out of the current crop of players.
“We’re nearly a good team,” he added. “We have a big summer and then we can do something exciting.
“I need to continue to try to find solutions for the team to help them be more creative.
“I need to get the balance right because sometimes you try so hard to be creative that you leave the back door open and concede.
“Getting that balance is a huge challenge for me. But of course we have to get the right personnel who are going to thrive.
“If we can bring all that together, we’re going to do all right.
“The players have got to show that they’ll continue to run hard and fight for everything. Not try to take it easy.
“I need to see the character that they have. I need to see the characters whatever the circumstances. Whatever the pitch is. Whatever position, they’ll apply themselves. That’s the group that I want.
“If they’re playing for a big prize it’s easy for everyone to run around. But it’s when things get more complicated.
“Then you need to know you’ve got the right characters.
“I want to see that from everyone in the last three games as a minimum.”
Swansea head to Huddersfield Town next weekend with just five points separating them from the top half of the table, and Williams believes muscling in on the top 12 has to be the aim for this season. “That’s a good challenge,” he said. “Let’s go and make really good performances and see how many points we can pick up and then at the end of it see if we’re in a respectable position.”