The development of Swansea City's Ben Cabango, upsetting his mates and what 'crazy' Gareth Bale is really like

Swansea City's transformation under Russell Martin has been drastic to say the least.

From the very opening day of the campaign at Blackburn Rovers, the team's change in style was evident as new bold methods ensured the pulses of the travelling contingent at Ewood Park were racing from the word go. Players including Kyle Naughton, Matt Grimes and Flynn Downes have been perfectly suited to Martin's demands, although, for others, the campaign has been far more of a learning curve.

Ben Cabango has served as a prime example of a player taking time to adapt the club's radical on-field shift, and also of one who has grafted relentlessly to ensure he can deliver what has and continues to be asked of him.

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"You have got to remember we didn’t have a pre-season here [under Martin]. He came in two or three days before the first game," said Cabango. "I am sure if you all watched the Blackburn game, you wouldn’t think we’d be in the situation we are in now because it wasn’t the best.

“But as the season has gone on we have kept getting better and better. Next season could be very exciting if we keep working hard. It’s been a long, hard season and I think we have all learned a lot through it. Now it’s starting to show in games and we just need to keep building on that.”

The defender started just half of Swansea's first 20 Championship matches under the current coaching staff but has played from the outset in each of his side's last 21 league games. It means he has already made more Championship appearances this season than he did last term, even when you include his trio of outings in the 2020/21 play-offs.

His upturn in form