LUKE Williams criticised the Riverside atmosphere and was disgusted by what he described as an "atrocious game of football" as his Swansea side slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Williams took aim at his players after the game, furiously slamming a "completely unacceptable" and "absolutely brutal" performance and apologising to the fans.

But he also took issue with the match in general, saying: "It was just an atrocious game of football, an absolutely diabolical example of the Championship.

"It would have been nicer if we'd won, at least we could have then pretended to be happy about something, but goodness me.

"There was nothing right about that. It was like going to a charity game in the summer, no atmosphere, a bit of talking in the crowd.

"The first goal was a comedy, the second one isn't loads better. It's hard to find anything good about today, especially when you don't get any points."

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Williams was particularly furious about Emmanuel Latte Lath's opener after the striker was allowed to pick up a loose ball in the box when Carl Rushworth parried Isaiah Jones' cross. He then created room for himself and although six Swansea defenders blocked the route to goal, managed to slot into the bottom corner.

Williams said: "The ball is kicked into the box and is nowhere near a Middlesbrough player. Somehow between a defender and a goalkeeper we decide to make a shot and a save ourselves and then watch a player dribble around slowly in the box and trickle in the corner."

He added: “The way we played today was unacceptable.

“It was completely unacceptable, it was lacking in energy and conviction. We concede two ridiculous goals, we showed nowhere near enough for our supporters to watch that and be happy with what they saw.

“We had nothing. We got players into unmarked positions in the box, the number of times we get close and overhit a cross or make a bad touch. It’s just sloppiness, there is not enough focus or concentration.

“We did not turn up. Think of the supporters who have travelled up here, excited to come and see their side in this stadium and we produce that. It’s absolutely brutal.

“This is a big football club, we are one division away from the Premier League. We cannot play football like that again, what would be the point of that?

“We have to be better than that in the games ahead, it better be blood and thunder.”