Luke Williams has backed his Swansea City side to end their recent goal drought – and shake off what’s been an eventful recent travel schedule.
The Swans have clocked up plenty of miles in the last week or so, following up Saturday’s trip to Blackburn Rovers with a clash at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
It’s understood the squad had initially looked at the possibility of staying up north, but opted to return to south Wales between the two fixtures, a decision that might well have come under scrutiny following events at Manchester Airport after the defeat at Ewood Park on Saturday.
The team were due to return to Swansea later that evening, but problems with their plane meant they had to scramble for an alternative solution.
“We got back at around half past two or three o’clock on the Sunday morning because the plane was unable to take off,” boss Luke Williams said, speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit of Millwall.
“The autopilot didn’t work. So we did a beautiful lap of Manchester Airport and arrived back where we started, just driving around.
“At one point, I was convinced Manchester Airport had two control towers, but no. It was the same one, and so we disembarked and took all the bags off the plane.
“We then asked the coach drive to turn around and refuel and come back to the airport to pick us up.
“So instead of arriving in Swansea at 9pm, we arrived back at 2.30am, and so imagine, we’re on the bus Friday, we’re on the bus Saturday. We’re on the bus Sunday morning, we’re on the bus Monday again, we’re on the bus Tuesday. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
“We’re on the bus Wednesday morning. We arrived back at four o’clock on Wednesday morning.
“So I’m tired. But I’m very happy because we have a home game and I’m very excited about it.”
Swansea are unbeaten at home this season, and have one of the best defences in the league, with just Sheffield United and Burnley boasting better records, so far.
However, a winless run of five games and their worst goal drought since April 2021 has tempered the mood in SA1 ahead of this weekend’s clash.
“The game works around your own box, the opposition box and in between is the flow of the game, how you use the middle of the pitch to create and deny,” said the Swans boss.
“From what I can see we defend our 18-yard box incredibly well, we have the most talented defensive coach in Martyn Margetson, he is incredible and does amazing work.
“And that is dear to me because I want our team to be tough and to show the people who support us home and away that they are going to give everything and run the hard yards.
“There’s an action right at the end of the Sheffield Wednesday game. It’s a corner for us, it comes to the edge of the box and we have a blocked shot. Sheffield Wednesday break, and I’ve watched it so many times, our entire outfield run past the opposition.
“In football it is easier to run towards the opposition goal, but our guys ran backwards towards their own goal like you’ve never seen. That made me so proud.
“In our own box we have defended brilliantly so far, I think in between the two boxes we flow through the pitch to try and create box entries and to use that possession to stem the flow of opposition attacks.
“In the opposition box we need to improve, but I say it to the guys every day and now I am telling everyone who is listening, I am backing them.
“They are going to find that anticipation, and feel a bit more free and confident and start to score, and I am confident and excited for that because a team that can defend, that can flow through the pitch, and a team that can score goals. I know what happens with a team like that.”
Williams has no fresh concerns ahead of the clash at the Swansea.com Stadium, although Kristian Pedersen is nearing a return to full fitness.
“We are as we were, although Kristian Pedersen is back out on the grass and he is very close to being back in full training with the rest of the squad.
Sam Parker has recovered from his recent illness but isn’t fit enough to be involved, while Andy Fisher and Josh Ginnelly remain long-term absentees.
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