Williams calling for bravery after ‘timid’ Swans are thrashed by Leeds 

Admitting the win at Hull had taken a lot out of his team mentally, Williams felt his side didn’t commit to the high-pressing action that had been so successful at the MKM Stadium, ultimately costing the game.  

For the fourth time in six games, the Swans would fall behind to the opening goal in the first quarter of the match with Crysencio Summerville slotting home a neat move after Bulgarian playmaker Illia Gruev was given time to pick out the Leeds forward for his 16^th goal of the season.  

With just two clean sheets in 16 games after the encounter, it will be concerning to Williams how easily the Swans defense would be breached for the second time just minutes later.  

The familiar face of Joel Piroe joining the scoresheet after the Swans had got caught in possession and lost the pace battle with the impressive Wilfred Gnonto to sprint clear and tee up the Dutchman. 

It would be a reoccurring theme as the Swans would struggle against both the Italian and Summerville’s pace with the duo combining on the break once more to make it three at the break.  

The Swans improved with Jamie Paterson spurning their best opportunity in the second period. But it would be a carbon copy fourth goal for Leeds that would seal the rout with Gnonto firing past a helpless Carl Rushworth who to be fair saved what he could but would be exposed too frequently by his teammates. 

The result would be a tough pill to swallow for the home faithful, but Williams feels his side can improve and pick themselves up as they approach another tricky encounter in three days time welcoming fourth-placed Ipswich Town to the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

“Tonight has been too much and we weren’t able to reproduce [the performance].  

“I don’t have a problem with the formation or the idea, it’s the execution that we need to get better. 

“I want us to play a higher-level model of the game and that requires a lot of work and commitment. 

“We knew this run of fixtures was going to be tough, but I don’t want to go into these games cowering, I want to go into the games trying to get better and improve. 

“It was a tough evening because we didn’t compete properly. 

“We were timid, and you cannot play like that by not pressing and allowing them time. 

“If they have time and space, they are too good to give the ball away to. We caused ourselves huge problems. 

“It is difficult enough when they move the ball brilliantly, pass and find the space. When you do get close, you have to compete. 

“When you look at the pressure that they applied to our back line, that is the difference. 

“If we are going to try and compete with these top teams, we need to play a top model of football and that requires physical and mental intensity and bravery. 

“We have to play in a certain way week in and week out and get excellent at that [concentration]. 

“The output against Hull is at its highest and it is something we are not accustomed to. It took a huge toll on the players. 

“They are professional though, and they will [bounce back]. I’m confident they will be in a good place by the weekend.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City]