BEN Mee believes the whole team have to take credit for Burnley’s remarkable defensive record this season, not just the back four and goalkeeper Nick Pope.

The Clarets made it three clean sheets in a row with a goalless draw at Brighton on Saturday. That was their ninth shutout of the season and they’ve conceded just 12 goals in 18 Premier League games.

That’s the joint-best record in the league, alongside Manchester City and Manchester United, and only City and Chelsea have scored more than once against Burnley this season.

“It’s fantastic, a credit to all the lads for the work we put into it and the discipline we have throughout the side, not just the defensive side but all the boys work really hard together,” Mee said of that record.

The Clarets are now only one clean sheet away from matching the total of 10 they achieved last season.

At this stage of 2016/17 Burnley had conceded 28 goals in 18 games, 18 of them coming in eight away games. This season only nine have been conceded in nine games on the road.

And Mee believes experience has been vital in turning that record around.

“We’ve tightened up a lot away from home, we know it a bit better and we know how to control our emotions and our feelings a bit better,” the stand-in skipper said.

“That experience of last season helps. We’re more experienced, we’ve got more knowledge of the Premier League.

“Everyone is pulling together really well and it seems to be working at the minute.”

The clean sheets have kept coming for Sean Dyche’s side despite the Turf Moor boss having to make changes at the back.

Dyche has been without Tom Heaton for most of the season and recently Phil Bardsley and Charlie Taylor have come in for the inured Matt Lowton and Stephen Ward at full-back.

Mee only returned at the AMEX Stadium from a couple of games out with injury, with Kevin Long seamlessly slotting in in the wins over Stoke City and Watford.

“Everyone knows their job when they come in,” Mee said. “Those that have come in have been brilliant and we look forward to keeping more clean sheets.”

Burnley’s defensive record this term has been the platform for their success, with the Clarets sixth in the Premier League heading into the festive period.

And Mee believes the clean sheets are laying the foundations for Burnley to keep grabbing narrow wins.

“Being solid is a good platform for us, it’s a good base to go and nick some wins, especially away from home,” the 28-year-old said.