Swindon Town's Raphael Branco happy with a clean sheet in Southend draw

Swindon centre back Raphael Branco was left disappointed by Town only getting a draw in the Bank Holiday but was pleased that the club did not concede.

Brazilian Branco was one of the stand-out performers in Swindon's goalless game on January 2 and in his post-match briefing with the press he said he was happy with the defensive blank.

"It's always good to have a clean sheet," the 26-year-old centre back began.

"I think it gives everyone a bit more confidence, I think to start the year with a clean sheet it's not too bad.

"The game was really, really open. Both teams had really good chances to score and I am pleased that we started 2017 with a point and a clean sheet so let's see what's going to happen next."

The Robins' next match is a crucial one as they welcome Shrewsbury Town to the County Ground. The Shrews lie in 23rd pre-match and are four points behind Swindon so cannot leapfrog the Reds but a win would mount pressure on Swindon who need to get away from the bottom four as soon as possible.

A point against Southend has lifted a bit of negativity around the place.

"I did (expect the Southend game to be as open as it was) to be honest," Branco continued.

"We've been working hard, we've been unlucky the last few games, we haven't been playing well, I thought the back four was tremendous - Lawrence (Vigouroux, the goalkeeper) as well.

"He works hard every day, he's a great guy. Obviously you don't want him to make saves because you don't want the opposition to get close to the goal but sometimes we need the goalkeeper and he's been tremendous every game."

Monday's match saw Branco, and Swindon, come up against, among other ex-Town players, Nile Ranger and Branco said he did not enjoy the battle with the Southend attackers but was content with the outcome.

"To be honest I didn't really enjoy it but it was really, really tough. They're a good side, both strikers that started: (Simon) Cox and (Marc-Antoine) Fortune had good awareness and then Ranger when he came on.

"I know (Ranger) really, really well so I'm pleased because we've been working really hard and, like I said, it's not bad to start the new year with a point and a clean sheet."