Wed. Dec 25th, 2024
Occasional Digest - a story for you

Swansea head coach Luke Williams
Luke Williams is still waiting for his first home league win with Swansea

Luke Williams says it is down to Swansea City’s players and staff to deliver in front of their fans as they look to improve their poor home record.

Swansea host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday knowing form on their own patch must get better if they are to pull clear of relegation danger.

Only two Championship sides, Rotherham United and Millwall, have taken fewer home points than Swansea this season.

“This is entirely on us,” said Swans head coach Williams.

“There’s nothing the fans can do from the stands. If they could run down on the pitch, there would be a lot of big tackles going in, don’t worry about that.

“Unfortunately they are not allowed, so they have to try to be a part of the performance.

“But how do they do that if there’s not enough stuff to get excited about and hang on to? So we have to make sure we give them a performance and they will do the rest.”

Williams’ arrival at the start of the year has failed to improve the Swans’ form at Swansea.com Stadium.

They have won just four home games in the Championship this season and lost all four under Williams.

Swansea have taken more points on the road than at home this season – 22 compared to 17 – with Williams’ two Championship wins to date coming at Hull and Sunderland.

“From my experience in the few games I have had at home, there’s some tension in the players that we need to relieve and just play more in the moment,” Williams added.

“That will help us for sure. But I don’t think there’s some curse or big issue, just some pressure and tension because they are so keen to give the home supporters what they want.

“Now we are going to try to make a performance that the fans can really buy into and help the team feel really supported on the pitch. But that has to come from us first.”

Jamal Lowe warms up
Jamal Lowe has not played since Swansea’s defeat to Southampton on 20 January due to a knee injury

Swansea will be boosted against Blackburn by the return to fitness of Jamal Lowe, Harrison Ashby and Bashir Humphreys.

Josh Key is also back in full training but is unlikely to be involved against Rovers, who are one place above 17th-placed Swansea in the table.

Williams insists he has no target in mind as he aims to steer his side clear of a potential relegation battle.

But he acknowledged that the traditional 50-point Championship safety mark would be a first landmark to reach.

“Let’s go for that first, then see how many we can pick up after that. That’s the idea,” he said.

Source link