LUKE Williams says that any suggestions that he and his management team do not have the requisite passion to lead Swindon Town’s campaign to avoid relegation from League One are hopelessly wide of the mark.

The Town head coach takes his side to Bury this afternoon for a crunch clash in the battle to steer clear of the drop zone, with the Shakers two points and two places below 20th-placed Town, who have won just one of their last 10 league outings.

Williams says that he has personally received complaints alleging that he and his touchline contemporaries are not passionate enough but insists that himself and first team coach Ross Embleton are pouring everything into attempting to turn the County Ground ship around.

“As much as people try to pretend we’re not, we’re two working-class lads that have dedicated our life to football to get where we are,” said Williams, who also claimed that he has no problems receiving flak from supporters when performances are not up to scratch.

“We certainly are not here earning thousands of pounds a week and thinking that life is fun for us and everything is a jolly-up, and we don’t need the job and we never need to work again.

“I’ve had received some emails from fans saying that we’re all mega-wealthy and we don’t care and there’s no passion.

“Ross has got a young family that he doesn’t see most of the week because he’s passionate and committed to the job, and I’ve moved from my family and I live in Swindon – I’ve made it my home – and I’m fighting for the cause.

“I’ve made the club my own and I love the club, and the verbals are no problem for me.”

Watch Swindon Town head coach Luke Williams talk about his side's vital upcoming fixtures

The stakes will be sky-high at Gigg Lane and Williams is thankful for the supporters that will brave the lengthy journey to Greater Manchester to cheer on the men in red.

The Town head coach said: “I love to see the fans when we’ve travelled so far and we see them in force.

“I’ve followed teams myself as a young man and travelled up and down the country, and I know the feeling of despair when you don’t win, and I know how long and dull those journeys are if you don’t win.

“I appreciate that we’ve not given them much to cheer about on the road and they still keep coming, and I’m grateful for that, so thank you to all those travelling fans.”