ASHLEY WILLIAMS has mastered the lockdown – because it’s the SECOND time he’s been in isolation this season.
The Wales captain went almost two months without a club after leaving Everton last summer before Bristol City came calling at the end of August.
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Wales defender Ashley Williams joined Bristol City on a free transfer late last yearCredit: Rex Features
But that previous experience of training on his own means the centre-back has handled the six-week coronavirus crisis better than most footballers.
Williams said: “Last summer is benefiting me now as it’s not new for me.
“I didn’t have a club at the start of this season so from the summer international for Wales in mid-June until I signed for Bristol City on my birthday of August 23, I was at home.
“I was doing the same thing back then, keeping fit and staying around the house with my family so I’ve gone straight back into that mode.
“It’s probably a bit different for other players who are used to being out every single day at training.
“The key is having a routine. I’m up and in the gym at my house at 6.30am. I’m lucky to have that but I do my work out, either a run or on the bike and then I’m ready for the day.
“If you don’t have a routine then every day is a Sunday where you stay in your pyjamas and watch television all day.”
Life without a club gave Williams, who skippered his country to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, a taste of what retirement will be like.
Williams, 35. has scored two goals in 29 games for the Robins this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
If you don’t have a routine then every day is a Sunday where you stay in your pyjamas and watch television all day.”
Ashley Williams
The 35-year-old added: “It was weird because it’s the first opening day of a season I’d not been involved in. I remember walking the dogs and thinking, ‘It’s 3.15, I’m going to check the scores.’
“I wasn’t down about it then but as the weeks went on I wanted to play.
“I didn’t know if I would find a club I’d like, I had offers but I didn’t fancy them. Bristol came in and it’s been a good fit.
“It’s a young, fresh team but they lacked experience and I offer that. I’ve enjoyed my time at the club and we’ve had a decent season.”
Lee Johnson’s side are one place and point off Preston, who occupy the final play-off spot with nine games left.
And Williams, who won promotion to the Premier League with Swansea in 2011, can see similarities to then.
Williams said: “Both clubs at their respective times realised they have a good chance of promotion with good squads.
“And they are very similar in terms of trying to build the club up. Bristol are building a training ground which Swansea were doing for the whole time I was there. It only got completed the year I left!
“The chairman Mr Lansdown has put a lot of money in, they’ve worked on the stadium, new managers with ideas and wants to play a certain style of football. All of it definitely reminds me of the years at Swansea.”
Off the pitch, Williams and his Robins team-mates have done their bit during the Covid-19 crisis by deferring 30 per cent of their wages for the next three months.
He added: “It wasn’t difficult at all. The club asked a favour to defer the wages and it was fine.
“Everyone is sensible enough to see what the situation is around the country.
“As players we know we are fortunate with our wages and lifestyles and we understand there are people in worse situations so we wanted to help out where we can.”
Williams is out of contract at the end of the season, whenever that will be, but he’s relaxed over his future.
Williams, who has made 29 appearances since his debut at ex-club Stoke last September, said: “I feel healthy, fit and played almost every game.
Wales international Williams is tied down with Bristol City until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I had an initial conversation with the gaffer in terms of where we’re at. We’re both happy and we were ready to revisit it at the end of the season.
“Then this happened so I don’t know. Let’s try and get this season finished and see how we feel whenever it is.
“I’m not stressed. I learnt last summer that you don’t know what is going to come. It could have been retirement then.
“I started thinking, ‘Was Wales versus Hungary my last game?’ I didn’t know Bristol would come.
“So I haven’t put any plans in place now. I could plan for another one, two or three years and then get to that point and not fancy it or I might say I’m going to retire and feel great.
“I’m in a position where I can call it a day on my terms – I’m not chasing anything anymore. It’s all down to me.
“But I don’t take games for granted anymore, I’ve started to think, ‘I’m not going to play at that stadium or I won’t face him again’.”
Premier League clubs have agreed to play at eight neutral venues if the Government agrees football can restart
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Paul Pogba going through gruelling solo fitness sessions at home in bid to come back flying for Man Utd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
