Ben Cabango | Clean sheets down to collective attitude towards defensive work

Captain Ben Cabango believes celebrating the ugly jobs in the beautiful game has been key in helping Swansea City rack up clean sheets across their recent run of results.

The Swans beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, with skipper Cabango getting the only goal of the game as he converted the rebound when Harry Darling’s header hit the crossbar.

They had to defend manfully during the closing stages on Wearside and ensured they ended the week with three wins over Derby, Plymouth and the Black Cats, with no goals conceded.

There were countless clearances, blocks and tackles during the final quarter of the game, and it was noticeable how the Swans players congratulated each other and celebrated some key interventions.

And centre-half Cabango believes that sort of positive reinforcement has been a factor in Swansea shutting out their opponents in six of their last nine games, only conceded five goals in total.

“I thought it was a really good victory,” he said.

“It was a great feeling to get the goal. Harry has got his head to it, and I’ve seen it come back off the bar and thankfully it’s landed at my feet and I’ve been able to put it in.

“Then we’ve defended really well to keep another clean sheet, that’s three in a row now and I feel like, as a team, we are loving defending.

“Everyone is giving it everything, we are recovering well in situations and if there is a mistake then people are working hard to cover it up.

“It’s a good feeling and that’s a foundation we can build on.

“We’ve got to appreciate those blocks and tackles, because they are key moments in games. 

“I feel like when you appreciate them, then people want to do them more. We want to throw our bodies on the line and keep those clean sheets.”

Cabango has been in excellent form, and feels he is growing into the role of club captain, having been handed the armband at the end of January.

But he was keen to point out that leadership on the field goes far beyond just him as captain.

“I am enjoying the responsibility, I feel like I have always been a leader throughout my career and I am just growing into it now,” he said.

“I am still trying to improve, there is a lot for me to learn but I am enjoying it.

“I just try to help keep people on their toes because you will have tough periods in games, and I have to make sure I am on top of everyone and keeping us concentrated.

“I have some great experienced players around me, it’s not just me, we have a lot of vocal people on the pitch, taking responsibility and pushing each other.”