The Swans came into the game with the unwanted statistic of having the lowest number of goal attempts in the Championship.
With just eight goals scored in as many games prior to the match against the Potters, Williams’ side would be the lowest scorers in the top-half of the standings.
Whilst the Swans would be more adventurous in the final third, with Ronald, Vipotnik and Darling going close and Eom striking the frame of the Stoke goal, it would be the fourth blank of the season.
A frustrated Williams feels progress has been made in the opening block of fixtures but is looking for more belief from his players.
“We’re a penny short of a pound,” said Williams after the stalemate which leaves the Swans 11th in the Championship table.
“We are having the same talk in the dressing room game after game. I might just as well put the team meeting on repeat. It’s difficult to get away from that being the case.
“But there is a lot to be optimistic about because we only have to change a small amount. We’ve had three games at home that we’ve drawn that we should have won.
“If we’d converted those draws into wins, we would be sixth or seventh.
“The challenge for us has been to create more chances and we did that today.
“I think we were value for a victory, but you get what you deserve sometimes in football.
“Overall, we’re not doing too badly but there are some levels of frustration there.
“Today we didn’t deserve to get more in the end because we wasted big chances. If you do that you get punished in football.”
Williams believes that a lack of confidence in the final third is affecting his players but backs them to come good after the international break.
“I think the players need to believe that it is their turn to have the spotlight and the glory,” the former Notts County boss explained.
“If you don’t believe you snatch at it, hit the ball over, or not put it over the line. They will though.
“Now I think it’s really important for me to say that we have Liam Cullen and VP [Zan Vipotnik]. They are recognised number nines, and I’m backing them completely.
“I trust them, and I believe in them and it’s my job as well as theirs and I need to help them.
“It’s going to be practice, relentless practice [in training]. There’s a job for me to do as a Sports Psychologist to convince them that when they see these moments, they are opportunities for them.
“The overall performance is very good. I’m happy with almost everything apart from putting the ball in the back of the net.
“If you see it as an opportunity, then the net will bulge. I’ve worked with both types of players in my career coaching. The ones that see the threat and the ones that see the opportunity, it can change so I need to help them.
“The quickest route to changing is for the player to feel the satisfaction of the ball hitting the back of the net and all the spoils that come with that. Then that becomes very addictive.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
