On his home league bow, Swansea’s new man in charge could not have asked for a more difficult fixture. A match with added significance with former boss Russell Martin returning to the club to face off against his old number two.
Stylistically Williams would love to see the Swans get to the levels of the visitors whose slick passing, movement and press would be mesmerising at times as Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten coming into the match never looked at threat.
It would always be an uphill battle once the Saints had struck the first blow in the opening stages of the match. Che Adams’ tapping-in to an empty net after Carl Rushworth had kept out Adam Armstrong’s initial effort.
Once Will Smallbone had doubled the advantage midway through the first-half after finding a gap between two defenders to finish Armstrong’s low cross, the game as a contest seemed to be over with the Saints dominant in all departments.
Jamie Paterson pulled one back for the Swans as half-time approached heading in Liam Cullen’s cross against the run of play. It would only be a minor blip as the visitors immediately restored their two-goal advantage at the break through Flynn Downes’ low drive from the edge of the box.
A much better showing after the break saw the Swans come close on numerous occasions, hitting the woodwork twice and forced Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu into a string of saves. It would be little consolation with the Saints coasting to victory to leave Williams ruing missed chances and his side’s poor first-half display.
“It was very challenging to play a team of that quality and organisation,” said Williams.
“In the first-half, we were too deep and didn’t take territory.
“Southampton pushed the ball around, took their time, waited for space and exploited the gaps brilliantly between us. We were so passive; we didn’t react to it.
“In the second-half that was the difference, we played a whole cut of grass higher up the pitch on average and we reacted dependant on when they play the ball and took territory from them.
“This is how we managed to win the ball higher up the pitch and create chances. We were able to start to create a build-up from the halfway line.
“I’m pleased that we were able to show a much better performance in the second-half but I’m very disappointed with the first.
“We tried to encourage the players and convince them [that they could get back into the match], and it certainly made a big difference.
“We made an adjustment at the break, and the players responded to that well.
“You don’t have many chances when you play teams like Southampton and Leicester, and you have to take them.
“We hit the woodwork twice and had very good opportunities but fluffed our lines a little bit.
“We need to work accurately and precisely and try to get the message across to the players in a clinical way because we are not blessed with time, we need to work quickly.
“If it was a quick fix, I think everyone would be doing it. It certainly is not going to be that easy.”
Williams revealed that the club are looking into the possibility of extending Congo winger Yannick Bolasie’s contract at the club. The former Crystal Palace wide man’s three-month deal is due to expire this week and Williams hopes that something can be sorted between the two parties.
“We need to speak with Yannick. We wanted to have the game out of the way and now we’ll have a conversation with him,” continued Williams.
“I think he’s a fantastic footballer and a really good guy.
“I have my opinions that I’m sharing with the football club, so we’ll see if we can make the right decision for everyone involved.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
