Luke Williams | Derby win a platform to build connection and performances

Head coach Luke Williams hopes Swansea City’s south Wales derby victory proves a platform for a strong end to the season and an ever-growing connection between the team and supporters.

A crowd of 20,005 created a raucous, cacophony of noise at the Swansea.com Stadium to roar the Swans on to a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City, with Liam Cullen and Jamal Lowe getting the goals.

Staff, players and supporters shared the joy of taking the bragging rights for the fifth time in six derbies following the final whistle, and Williams hopes those scenes can be a glimpse of what can lie ahead on and off the field.

“We have a platform to build on, in terms of performances, but also in terms of the connection with the fanbase,” said Williams.

“Hopefully the two things can continue grow together.

“Celebrating at the end was a tremendous feeling, it always is when you have that connection, and I hope we can do a lot more celebrating together in the future and have that connection that is so powerful.

“That is what the game is about.

“We have been improving and this is the performance where we maintained our levels for longer.

“You have to take into consideration the emotion and atmosphere, so to produce that is great.

“It’s huge respect to the players that they can perform like that and now we have a chance to continue that.

“Our form has been pretty good, now we have a chance to build and finish the season really strong.”

Williams was also keen to praise the performance of skipper Matt Grimes, who has now won seven derbies as Swans captain, and had an outstanding afternoon in the middle of the park.

“The captain was incredible in the middle of the pitch, he was helping us in the build-up and in our press,” added Williams.

“He had us organised and showed so much running power and aggression, but he also had the ability to play with control.

“His performance summed up the team.”