SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Southampton Fans cheer on their side during the Premier League match between Southampton and Swansea City at St Mary's Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Luke Williams looks to positives in Southampton defeat as Russell Martin says he felt sick ahead of Swansea City return
Swansea City were well beaten by Southampton in the early kick-off but there were positives to take
Swansea City head coach Luke Williams says he will take away the positives from his side’s 3-1 defeat to Southampton.
The home side were played off the park in the first 45 minutes, with the Saints utterly dominant in every department.
They held a 3-1 lead going into the break and that’s how the scoreline stayed, but Swansea improved a lot after the turnaround and although Russell Martin’s men were well worth the three points, there were things for Williams to hang onto.
“In the first half we were too deep and we were too timid, and when you play against an opposition with confidence and quality then they exploit all the spaces you leave them,” he said.
It looked like it could have been a long afternoon, but the second-half performance was completely different. We were a lot higher up the pitch, we were a lot braver to go and press the ball and we made good actions to create chances.
“There’re some positives to take away from the performances. We did not play well enough to deserve anything in the first half, but we made a lot of changes in the second half and we gave ourselves a better chance.
It looked like it could have been a long afternoon, but the second-half performance was completely different. We were a lot higher up the pitch, we were a lot braver to go and press the ball and we made good actions to create chances.
“There’re some positives to take away from the performances. We did not play well enough to deserve anything in the first half, but we made a lot of changes in the second half and we gave ourselves a better chance.
“We needed to show some character to make sure we stayed in the game, and the players did, and there were some really bright performances in the second half and we were more resilient.
“We had some of the best chances in the game, and it could have been different. If we can play in that manner for longer periods we are going to be a good side in the division, but we cannot play like we did in that first half.”
Victory lifted the Saints into second place in the Sky Bet Championship, above Ipswich on goal difference.
“It is a nice moment,” Martin said after his side completed Southampton’s best unbeaten run in all competitions since joining the Football League in 1920, eclipsing the 20 games undefeated achieved the following year.
“I’m really grateful to the players for what they’ve done, the courage they’ve shown. I’m immensely proud. The way they did it in the first half, one of the best performances I’ve ever been involved in as coach.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work and they’ve really stepped up. They’ve written themselves in to the history books – and let’s keep it going.
“It will have more significance, importance and standing if we achieve what we want at the end of the season, otherwise it will be just something we’ve achieved together.”
First-half goals from Che Adams, Will Smallbone and Flynn Downes – his first for Saints coming on his 25th birthday and against his former club – put Southampton in control.
However, Saints had to withstand late home pressure as Swansea twice hit the post and Gavin Bazunu made a couple of useful saves.
“We didn’t mix the game up in the last 20 minutes and played with no real purpose,” said Martin.
“We were relentless in the first half and I was disappointed the way we conceded at the end of that half.
