Luke Williams | We again showed both sides of our game

Head coach Luke Williams felt his Swansea City side had once again shown a positive mix of attacking intent and defensive resilience in their 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

The Swans made it back-to-back wins and sealed a first-ever league double over the Lancashire club thanks to first-half goals from Joe Allen and Jamie Paterson.

The two-goal half-time lead was thoroughly deserved and, even though Sammie Szmodics pulled a goal back for Rovers after the break, the home side saw out nine minutes of stoppage time to claim all three points.

Williams was pleased with the energy and intensity his side had showed during the first half, and how they put their bodies on the line during the closing stages.

“I am really pleased, particularly with the first-half performance,” he said.

“We were on the front foot a lot, and then in the second half we had to defend more.

“Of course, the opposition have nothing to lose and they threw everything forward at us and made it very tough.

“I am happy with the two sides of the team. Being on the front foot and our attacking play in the first half, and how mentally tough we were in defending.

“We made a fast start, we got the crowd in the game and that’s the connection we need to make between the players on the pitch and the fans in the stand.

“We have to create that so we help one another. We have to help them invest in us, and then they give us energy with the noise and the excitement.”

Williams also had words of praise for Allen, Paterson and Kyle Naughton, with all three experienced players making vital contributions.

“I cannot speak more highly of these guys, the two guys have scored and Kyle Naughton’s block is as good as a goal,” added the Swans boss.

“They are leading the way for the other lads, I do not really have enough words to say about how grateful I am to them.”