Before the clash on Mother’s Day neither Luke Williams or Liam Manning had met each other during their managerial careers with their first being on Sunday at Ashton Gate. Despite the loss, it was the Swansea manager that was left impressed by Manning’s Robins as they successfully restricted and disrupted their attacking display to earn a 1-0 victory.
Full time in Bristol. #BRCvSWA | @SkyBetChamp pic.twitter.com/EZmwQ5AsFj
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 10, 2024
“For me, this is exactly the example of the game. It was that the opposition defended brilliantly well and they suffocated the space at the back of the pitch really well but we made a good action,” said Williams.
City’s four-game losing streak came to an end with Rob Dickie’s header proving the winner after 73 minutes.
“I saw a team today that looked in pole position to win the game and when the half time whistle went, I think the sensible money is on us,” added Williams.
Williams was handed the job in South Wales in January after a successful spell at Notts County, earning promotion to League Two.
In addition, with experiences at MK Dons and Swansea as assistant to current Southampton manager Russell Martin, and a two-year period in BS3 as U23s head coach.
Despite their similar career trajectories, with Manning replacing Swansea-bound Martin in the summer of 2021 at Stadium MK, their paths had never crossed until the Mother’s Day match-up.
“This is the first time we met face to face and shook hands,” said the Swansea boss.
“That’s the truth. I understand because you would imagine we would’ve met before plenty of times but he’s somebody I have a huge respect for.”
It became increasingly clear from Manning’s arrival that City require a consistent goalscoring presence up front, of a different profile to Tommy Conway and Nahki Wells. A quandary that Williams shares across the border.
Conway led the line for City on Sunday but failed to register a single shot on goal, although he would have been cursing Ross McCrorie for electing to shoot from an angle rather than squaring it.
“The highest demand is for the guy that puts the ball in the back of the net, and I’ve worked with Macauley (Langstaff) and he’s incredible at that,” said Williams.
“It’s the hardest thing to do in football. I think that if you’re able to bring in one that is fantastic for the level, let’s say for arguments’ sake you have a Bamford, and you know that he’s proven at the level, the next most sensible thing to do is to bring in, for example, Piroe who is proven at the level.”
🗣 The gaffer reflects on this afternoon's loss. 👇
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 10, 2024
Despite their lack of composure and bite at the top end of the pitch, Williams stressed the Swans’ control as they ended the game with 73 per cent possession.
Unfortunately for Williams despite the disappointing defeat, the former Under 23s City coach had nothing but praise for the club.
“It’s a brilliant, brilliant football club” said Williams.
