Williams stays away from dressing room for QPR win

Luke Williams' Swansea have won four of their 11 home league games this season

Luke Williams gave the credit for victory over Queens Park Rangers to Matt Grimes after the head coach revealed he did not go into Swansea City's dressing room before the game or at half-time.

Swansea produced a fine response to painful pre-Christmas defeats against Sunderland and Hull City as two goals from Liam Cullen and Goncalo Franco's first for the club sealed a 3-0 victory.

Williams had been critical of Swansea's mentality after their 3-2 home loss to Sunderland, and he was simmering once more following last weekend's abject display at Hull.

But Williams' mood was transformed by a high-class performance against QPR, which he put down to the "huge influence" of club captain Grimes.

"I didn't go into speak to the players before the game or at half-time, I left it to the captain," the Swansea head coach revealed.

"And that performance just stank of him. When we play at our very best, it's when the performance embodies him the most."

Swansea trained on Christmas Day, with Williams – as usual - leading that session and addressing his players in the lecture room at the training ground.

Williams then saw his players at their pre-match meal before QPR, but then headed for his Swansea.com Stadium office rather than the home dressing room.

"I have done it before as a coach. I spoke to the captain in the week and he had a few incredible insights for me," he said.

"We have routines and certain things we do on matchday minus one or matchday minus three or whatever.

"But sometimes you feel like something is needed or not needed. Today was not about me, it was about the players listening to me maybe ranting [previously] and say 'okay, enough'."

Williams added that there was no need for him to listen to Grimes' pre-match team or half-time team talks because he has "never trusted anyone more".

"This performance has Matt Grimes written all over it," he added.

"It's impossible for me to think I could have a better captain with how I want to play and how the fans want to see their team."