Swansea City defender Ashley Williams knows that a tough Christmas period awaits him and his team mates

Williams was speaking as the Swans prepared for the first of four games in an eight day period that quite often shapes the way the second half of the season pans out.

Sandwiched in between away trips at QPR and Leicester City, the Swans welcome Barnsley and Reading to the Liberty Stadium with Williams ready for the challenge that the games bring.

"We've got four games in quick succession which is tough," Williams told the Evening Post.

"Most teams will drop points because it's hard to stay at your best when you've got so many games in such a short space of time.

"I think the teams who are strongest mentally will get through this period and come out the other side in a good position."

Despite this challenging period, Williams does believe that there could be exciting times around the corner "Everyone is excited, we feel like it could happen for us this season

"We have had a couple of chances to get in there and obviously it would have been nice to do it," he says.

"But we can't get too concerned about it because you don't get anything for being second in December.

"As long as we are within touching distance, which we are, then we are happy.

"It is where you are in May, not December, that counts.

"I think whoever plays best in April will be the teams that get over the line

"The games then are the ones which will really determine who finishes where.

"I've played in every game over the last couple of years and it would be nice to keep that run going.

"I think there's only me, Nathan (Dyer) and Dorus (de Vries) who have played in every league game so far this season and I don't want to miss any games.

"My message is that I can play in all four, but obviously it's up to the manager.

"Personally I love going to Loftus Road," says Williams.

"It's a nice, tight ground and they are going well, so the atmosphere should be good.

"It's always interesting to play one of Neil Warnock's teams — although I think he has chilled out a bit this year.

"We acquitted ourselves well when we played them at home.

"We felt we could and should have won and we will go there looking for victory."

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