Ben Cabango | We stuck together and got our rewards
Captain Ben Cabango believes the spirit and togetherness Swansea City showed in securing a draw at Leeds United can be the base for a strong end to the season.
The Swans picked up a point in dramatic fashion at Elland Road; Zan Vipotnik rifling in a 96th-minute leveller moments after Wilfried Gnonto’s low drive looked to have given Leeds a 2-1 win.
A draw was the least the Swans deserved for a performance where, after a sluggish opening handful of minutes, they were aggressive with and without the ball.
They missed a penalty and struck the post when a goal down and equalised through Harry Darling, only for Gnonto to seemingly deal them a heartbreaking late blow for the second time this season, with the Italian having also netted at the death in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
But it would be the Swans who would have the last word, and skipper Cabango was understandably delighted.
“We showed so much character, we had a difficult start but we didn’t go under,” he said.
“We created plenty of chances, we were unlucky with a few of them, but the way we stuck together – having gone behind twice – was unreal from the boys.
“We put our bodies on the line, we defended well and we attacked well too, I thought.
“Obviously when they scored near the end it was a big blow, but we always felt we had a chance and our heads didn’t go down. We kept going.
“We stuck together, we gave everything until the end and we got our rewards.
“It’s a great result, but we still have plenty of work to do, we are looking to continue to improve.”
And Cabango also praised the work Alan Sheehan has done having been placed in charge for the final part of the season.
The Swans have taken eight points from the last six games, and the Wales international feels you can start to see the impact of the work going in on the training pitch and in the analysis room as the team has more time working with the Irishman.
“It’s been a difficult season, it’s not gone as we would have wanted,” he said.
“We have had the change of manager, Alan Sheehan has come in and he’s looked to make some tweaks and changes and the lads have taken them on board.
“He’s been really honest with us, he’s been really straight with us, and he was when we conceded that poor goal at the start.
“I think you can see that from the way we have played in a most of this run of games, and the aim is to keep taking those messages on board and finish the season as strongly as we can.”