Luke Williams: Swansea City boss happy with 'choice words' in training
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Luke Williams says he has no issue with players demanding more from their team-mates, as long as they do so in the right manner
Luke Williams says he is happy to see Swansea City players demanding more from team-mates after "choice words" were exchanged at training this week.
Swansea are only four points clear of the relegation zone after losing five of their last six Championship games.
Head coach Williams insists his squad have "a very good way of communicating with each other".
"We had a couple of the players saying a few choice words to each other in training," he said.
"That can be a done in a way where you think OK this is a problem, or it can be done in a way where you think this is actually good.
"Something really ugly or personal - that is not a good team. But when it is about performance, being quite assertive like that, and then afterwards [there is] no problem talking, then that's a good thing.
"It shows they understand what they are supposed to be achieving and if someone falls below that, they are entitled to tell their team-mates 'come on' to motivate them.
"I have seen this done in the correct way. In the heat of the moment on the pitch, [it is] a little bit snappy, but afterwards really good, talking together. I am happy with that. I have seen that this week and that gives me encouragement."
Swansea appointed Williams on 5 January in the hope that he could lift a side who were 16th in the table following a New Year's Day win over West Bromwich Albion.
But the Welsh club's traumatic campaign has continued, with Williams taking only four points from his first seven league games, which have included meetings with the Championship's top four teams.
With a brutal run of fixtures now behind them, Swansea go to play-off hopefuls Sunderland on Saturday with Williams hoping his team can begin to turn a corner.
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"For me it's been really tough," he said. "I feel exhausted but motivated as well.
"When you are the head coach and you lose, there's no darker place. Midnight is not that dark - it's a horrible, horrible feeling.
"Then you see people outside the stadium and it's hard to feel sorry for yourself. They are like 'come on, we are behind you, we are going to do it'.
"I am exhausted because I am trying to give all my energy to this. If I'm not, I'm not really trying hard enough.
"But there's a difference between being exhausted and spent, and exhausted and motivated. They are two different things. I am of course still very motivated and very happy to be here."