RYAN Clarke puts Oxford United’s improved defensive record this season down to the wholehearted displays he has witnessed from the back four.

The U’s kept 11 clean sheets in the whole of last season, a total which was surpassed in this campaign by the 2-0 win against Swindon Town on Saturday.

Only the Robins have conceded fewer goals in npower League Two than United and Clarke will be hoping for a 13th shutout of the campaign at Bradford tomorrow.

The goalkeeper deflects praise on to his teammates when asked about the improvement.

He said: “I think the team definitely has progressed.

“It’s nice to know we’ve done better already on last season for clean sheets, but I’ve got a great bunch of lads in front of me that really are putting their bodies on the line.

“As a back five if we can keep as many clean sheets as possible that gives us a platform.”

There has been plenty of evidence to back up the 29-year-old’s point in the last week, where the back four have been bombarded by Swindon and in the 2-2 midweek draw at Shrewsbury Town.

Clarke said: “We were under a lot of pressure on Saturday and we dealt with everything pretty well between us.

“On Tuesday I didn’t have a great deal to do in terms of shots, a lot of it was just helping out behind.

“It shows we can defend for long periods if we need to.”