Liam Lets Fly and the Swans Surge
Swansea City will host Leeds United on Tuesday night in far better shape than many had expected.
For that change in direction, they owe much to Liam Cullen, the Wales international striker who helped earn them a vital win at the weekend before they look to take on promotion-chasers Leeds – and their big Welsh contingent – at the Swansea.Com Stadium.
Cullen has admitted Swansea City’s 1-0 win at Hull City was a “massive” result for a club who looked as if they could be sliding towards a relegation scrap.
The Swans striker scored the only goal of the game on Saturday to give head coach Luke Williams his first win in the Championship at the fifth attempt.
It proved a significant win for the club as it ended a run of four successive defeats and left them seven points clear of the drop zone.
“It’s massive for the lads and for the staff,” said Cullen.
“Obviously with a new group of staff coming in, we needed that win, we needed the three points.
“We’ve had a really good week on the training pitch, and we had a double day to really nail down some things. It was tough, but it was really needed.
“We came into this game with confidence. Last week was a bit of a low point, because we played so well and created so many chances but ultimately, we didn’t put the ball in the net.
“Being the nine, for me it was about making sure that when I got that chance, I put it away. The first one I did, but I’m really annoyed I didn’t get the second one in the second half.
“A few of us have said this week that we felt a good result was coming, and I’m pleased it was here.”
The arrival of three wide players at Swansea during the January transfer window has meant Cullen is less likely to be used out wide on the right under Williams.
Brazilian Ronald, Przemysław Płacheta, and Charles Sagoe Jr are all specialist wingers, leaving Cullen to challenge Jerry Yates for the main striking role.
“I had chats with the gaffer and staff about playing more central,” he added.
“It’s the position I’ve grown up playing, and it’s the position that’s got me to where I am today.
“I never have a problem playing any position, especially for this club, I’ll do the best I can wherever I’m played, but I feel at my best and most comfortable through the middle as a number nine.
“That’s where you get the most chances, it’s your job to be there for those chances and put the ball in the net.
“Hopefully that’s the start of a good run of games and goals for me playing in that position.
“And hopefully I can be one of the players that helps put us in a good position and helps us go on a good run.”
Head coach Williams is hopeful the victory could prove a turning point both for himself and the club.
“It should give us a huge lift,” said the coach who succeeded Michael Duff.
“I think the players should see that they have come away to a really tough opponent and won.
“If they can’t take confidence from that… I don’t know what more we need to prove it.”