After a month of speculation over comings and goings in SA1, there have been three additions this week in Brazilian winger Ronald and deadline day fellow widemen Charles Sagoe Jr (on loan from Arsenal) and Norwich City speedster Przemysław Płacheta.
All three will be available for what feels like a crucial game for the Swans against a Pilgrim’s side two places above Williams’ side in 15th place in the Championship table.
Having faced difficult outings in back-to-back defeats against promotion chasers Southampton and Leicester, things do not let up for Williams’ team this weekend.
Looking for his first league win in charge of the club, Williams faces off against a Plymouth side this weekend who arrive unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. Whilst the Pilgrims have suffered only one defeat in their last eight Championship games.
Williams though feels that despite the match being a tough test, he believes his side can get a result if performance levels can be met for longer periods and opportunities are capatalised on.
“It will be tough; I don’t think there is an easy game in the Championship, but we are optimistic,” said Williams.
“We’ve had two league games back-to-back that have been very tough, but now we have to make sure that we perform well in longer periods and capitalise when we can.
“I want to really try and build on the performances and have a sharper look on the pitch. I think results will come with that.
“I’m seeing some positive signs in the games even though the results haven’t been what we want. There have been elements of the performances that have been encouraging.
“I think it [the transfer window] went well. We had an objective to bring more pace and physicality to the squad and we managed to do that.
“Not only did we bring the athleticism and pace that we required, but we also brought in really good guys as well.
“I’m looking forward to working with the new players and integrating them into the squad we have already.
“There will always be things that you would say would be your perfect scenario. What I’m pleased about is that we had a clear objective and we’ve gone and done that.
“The recruitment team Paul Watson and Andy [Coleman] said this is what we are doing and we’re going to get it done. You are going to have athleticism and pace, so it is difficult to complain.
“He [Charles Sagoe Jr] is a young player with a bright future and has the type of attacking instinct that we’re interested in bringing in.
“He is young but really professional, which is exciting. We are happy and we think he is going to be a success for us.
“He can play in the attacking positions, wide areas in particular. He is a player though who can play more inside the pitch with the line next to him.
“He [Przemysław Płacheta] was a late deal in terms of deadline day was completed, but not a late deal in how much we knew about him.
“I’m really pleased, he is a player I was looking at in early January.
“It goes down to deadline day because a chain reaction has to happen. Sometimes a club cannot release a player too early and sometimes the players are deciding with their family.
“I can see him fitting into the attacking positions, particularly wide. He is an explosive athlete and has good quality delivering a ball in from wide positions.”
Whilst there have been new additions to the squad the Swans will be without both Harry Darling and Jamal Lowe for Saturday’s fixture along with longer-term injury casualties Josh Key and Liam Walsh.
“Harry [Darling] has a small tear in the top of the quad muscle and will be a few weeks, Jamal [Lowe] is weeks not months away,” continued Williams.
“We have a better idea with that now. After that, there’s just the longer-term guys you know about.
“We have to prepare for a tough period of football without windows. The notion that there will be always a fully fit squad is unrealistic.
“We’ve done well though to cover ourselves for all the issues squads face.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
