Swansea City captain Matt Grimes outlined the tactical philosophies of manager Luke Williams following his team’s impressive recent 2-1 victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The victory was only Williams’ second in the league since taking over as Swans manager in early January, after the club sacked Northern Irish manager Michael Duff a month prior.
The former Notts County manager was re-signed by the South Wales club for his highly attacking and possession-based approach, synonymous with former Swansea coach Russell Martin, to whom he was the assistant manager at both Swansea and MK Dons.
Speaking about his manager’s approach, Grimes said: ‘He wants to build up really well, he wants to have a lot of the ball.’
The midfielder later added that ‘we want to build up and play attractive football, but if teams don’t respect us and go all out man-for-man press, then we can hurt them in behind with Shemy [Przemysław Płacheta] and Rony [Ronald] aswell.’
Embed from Getty ImagesWilliams struggled early into his tenure. It took him five matches to receive his first win, which ultimately came in the form of a 1-0 away victory over Hull City, and he is still yet to win at home.
The former Notts County manager has been unlucky to face all of the current top four Championship teams in his first eight league fixtures, but his side will hope to turn a corner after their away victory inspired by Ronald’s recent goals.
Ronald became the first Brazilian to play for Swansea City after his January transfer window move from Portuguese Primeira Liga club Estrela da Amadora.
The exciting winger scored his first Swans goal against Sunderland by following up a rebounded Liam Cullen header. His second came only nine minutes later, when veteran midfielder Joe Allen intercepted the ball on the halfway line before switching the play to the Brazilian, who took one touch before smashing home across the goal into the bottom right corner.
Matt Grimes heaped praise on the 22-year-old after his match-winning performance: ‘He’s class, he gives us another dimension… he’s a pleasure to play with.’
Luke Williams’ side return to Championship action on Saturday 2nd March, when John Eustace’s Blackburn Rovers travel to the Swansea.com Stadium armed with Championship top goal-scorer Sammie Szmodics.
