SWINDON Town head coach Luke Williams has hailed the immediate impact of Tim Sherwood at the club following their 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic.

Sherwood, who was announced as the club’s director of football on Thursday, only had two training sessions with the squad ahead of today’s lunchtime kick-off at the County Ground.

However, Williams has admitted that his influence is already being felt, with the former Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur manager picking the starting XI and giving the pre-match team talk.

It was reflected on the pitch as a Morgan Fox own goal before half-time set up the hosts for victory before efforts from Lloyd Jones and John Goddard saw Town complete a convincing win and moved out of the relegation zone.

“Tim has identified some additional play that can help us to not give too many opportunities to our opponents,” said Williams, whose assistant, Ross Embleton, was in contact with Sherwood, who sat in the stand, through an ear piece.

“I think you saw that today, we gave very few opportunities away.

“Some attacking moves that were very specific for the players to work on, very clear, and again I think we saw that on display today as well.

“We looked very comfortable defensively.

“We looked like we could create chances, we looked like we could create chances, we looked like we could break, as the game went on, we looked like we could manage the tempo of the game as well.

“They worked so hard, which is first and foremost in any team and that contributed hugely to the result.

“We’ve played 4-2-3-1 this season on a few occasions and it has worked well and not so well but I think after working with the players and watching back some of the previous performances, Tim felt that was the strongest side he could put on the pitch and it proved correct.”

Swindon’s opener came in fortuitous circumstances minutes before the break as Sean Murray saw his scuffed shot deflected off the heel of Fox and creep into the far corner.

Williams admitted that it gave everyone a much-needed boost as they headed into the dressing room and was pleased to have Lady Luck shining on his side for once.

“It’s a great time to score a goal,” he added.

“We’ve been on the receiving end of a couple of goals against us in the 44th minute and it really knocks you and if feels very difficult to recover from that.

“On the flip side of that, if it is you’re team that is scoring in the 40 something minute then you know that sets you up for a very good second half.”

The Adver were allowed into the post-match press conference and were able to ask questions.