By Paul Jones

In the battle between master and apprentice, new Swansea City head coach Luke Williams – Russell Martin’s former assistant at the Swans – knows he still has some lessons to learn.

Jamie Paterson scored for the Swans against Southampton and also struck the post but the home side still lost 3-1 to a dominant Saints.

Swansea City head coach Luke Williams hopes Southampton boss Russell Martin receives "goodwill" from Swans fans on his return to the club.#BBCFootball #Swans pic.twitter.com/OfLDb0AHNi

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 19, 2024

Williams admitted: “I need to try to get the message across to the players in a clinical way because we are not blessed with time at the moment.

“It will take time, but we need it to take less rather than more.

“In the first half we were too deep, far too deep. Southampton could push the ball around, take their time and wait for the space and they did that brilliantly.

“In the second half, the difference was we played higher up the pitch and we won the ball higher up the pitch. We were able to create chances.

“I am pleased we were able to show a better performance in the second half, but very disappointed with the first half.

“They are trying to force you to make errors and we fell into many of those traps in the first half.

“We hit the woodwork twice. We had very good opportunities and fluffed our lines a little bit. But the numbers suggest we are very good in the second half in terms of creating chances.

Swansea City head coach Luke Williams hopes Russell Martin receives "goodwill" from Swans fans on his return to the club ⚽#BBCFootball

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 20, 2024

Martin has told his Southampton players the Foxes hunt and Tractor Boys pursuit needs to be unforgiving.

The Southampton manager will watch Monday’s clash between Championship leaders Leicester City and Ipswich like a kestrel hovering above its prey.

A draw will be enough to lift Ipswich back above Saints, but Martin reckons the chase of both clubs could last until the final week of the season.

“We have to be relentless because I don’t see those clubs giving up,” said the former Swansea boss.

“Obviously, they now play each other and so someone is going to drop points. We have put ourselves in a nice position, but it won’t be comfortable for one second.

“I think it will go all the way to the very end and we have to make sure we are in that fight to the very end and be ready to achieve what we want to achieve.”

🔴⚪️ Southampton are now 21 games unbeaten in all competitions

– 15 wins
– 6 draws

What a job Russell Martin is doing! pic.twitter.com/RLiUKuMkxV

— Free Super Tips (@FootySuperTips) January 21, 2024

Ipswich have shown signs they are limping after going five games without a win before they beat Sunderland.

But Martin reckons the fact that Southampton have caught them is a tribute to his players after they were left trailing in the first two months of the campaign.

“It took us a little bit longer to get the wheels in motion,” added Martin, who watched Che Adams, Will Smallbone and Flynn Downes score the goals that made it a club-record 21 matches unbeaten.

“Those two clubs (Leicester and Ipswich) had the two best starts in Championship history, so the fact we are now there and in the fight, in the mix, and hunting them both down, is a real credit to the players.

“I know we have made history – and that’s brilliant for the players and the supporters and the club – but the biggest incentive was to put ourselves in second position and spend a bit longer than we spent last week.”

Southampton at Swansea City #Saintsfc pic.twitter.com/D1pjAV97Aj

— FootballAwaydays (@Awaydays23) January 21, 2024