As Swansea prepare to take on Bradford in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley, much will depend on the rock at the heart of their defence. Adam Bate looks at the statistics that show Ashley Williams has been one of the key defensive performers in European football this season.
Friday 22 February 2013 10:52, UK
Ashley Williams has blocked more shots than any player in a top European league this season.
It must be a familiar team-talk for Bradford City boss Phil Parkinson by now. Those pampered Premier League prima donnas, you can get at them. Pablo Hernandez is used to nights in the Champions League not the tenacious tackling of Stephen Darby. And Jonathan de Guzman won't have come up against the likes of Gary Jones while sunning himself in Mallorca, right? But any attempt to cast Swansea City as the latest bunch of Premier League stars just waiting to become the victims of an upset is scuppered by the identity of their centre-back. Ashley Williams, like the club he plays for, was not born to the Premier League. The 28-year-old defender was released by West Brom as a youngster before working his way back up with Hednesford Town. Recalling life with the Pitmen, Williams told The Telegraph last season: "We trained on Tuesday and Thursday nights and played Saturday. I did a few jobs - working in a bowling alley, a theme park, worked as a waiter - just to get some money. The Premier League and even League football seemed so far away." A move to Stockport County followed and Williams made his first appearance for the Swans in 2008 with the club still in League One. On Sunday, just five years on, and only 10 years since Swansea were rock bottom of the Football League, both player and club have the chance to claim their first major trophy. Of course, it will be the exotic forward talents at Swansea that will get the attention at Wembley. With Swansea sitting eighth in the Premier League, the focus will be on their much-lauded passing game and the heroics of Bargain Michu. At least, that seems to be his forename. But that success has been built on an impressive defensive structure. Prior to Sunday's thrashing at Liverpool, a game for which Williams was rested, the Swans had the joint-third best defensive record in the Premier League, conceding fewer goals than runaway leaders Manchester United. It is worth noting that Swansea are without Chico Flores against Bradford and that will be a concern. The Spaniard's proactive style has impressed at the Liberty Stadium. He ranks highly for tackles, clearances and interceptions. But the key to Swansea's success at the back is the fact that this approach perfectly complements the strengths of his centre-back partner.Most Blocks - Major European Leagues 2012/13 | ||
Player Name | Team | Total |
Ashley Williams | Swansea | 37 |
Ryan Shawcross | Stoke | 28 |
Robert Huth | Stoke | 28 |
Accurate Long Balls (Defenders) - PL 2012/13 | ||
Player Name | Team | Total |
Phil Jagielka | Everton | 162 |
Ashley Williams | Swansea | 140 |
Maynor Figueroa | Wigan | 123 |
Vincent Kompany | Man City | 101 |
Brede Hangeland | Fulham | 101 |
Rio Ferdinand | Man Utd | 100 |