STFCStats

Have to agree with Markus on BBC Wilts, Nichols did all the right things - at the right times. He won 7 of his 8 ground duels - vital against a second ball team. Also 6 tackles, 3 interceptions and 2 clearances. #stfc

Hard not to comment on Tafazolli’s performance, against Cheek, straight off the back of that. Won his one ground duel and four of his six aerials. Most importantly he didn’t give away a single foul. Exactly what was needed. #stfc

Is the dilemma which part of the ‘to read’ to move underneath the lamp?

Think Nichols could remember how it is done?

Odd. Some weeks he has three on there. Plus Butterworth, who is being used more as a wide forward now Ameen has gone.

Mabete wins about half his contested headers (seventh in the team) but, with Smith injured, he has become the near-post zonal marker at opposition corners. A role usually given to the best header in a side - although Palmer has taken over of late and may do more frequently as he gains fitness. Ends

However when #stfc are pressed in build up play, Mabete drops into the box, & taps the goal kick to Ripley who then makes the pass to the other CBs. With Wright and Wilson-Brown split to the touchline, any attempt to press with three can’t really work and so gaps have to appear. Or Ripley goes long.

When the press is light from goal kicks, Mabete stands on the edge of the box, allowing Ripley to pass to either wide centre back. This holds the central striker in position. But since Mabete rarely even looks to ready the receive the ball, sides may work this out eventually.

When playing out from the back, Mabete is clearly not the desired route for passing out either. His stats show a player who is keeping it simple, moving the ball to others quickly and crisply. Some of this is down to experience, but he is asking Tom Wilson-Brown to play out also

Mabete is top for clearances in the squad which hints at the slightly simplified role he has been given - perhaps as a result of those early moments of uncertainty. His season heatmap v Will Wright shows the limited nature of his role. 2/6

With no game until Sat, it feels like time to have a look at Fil Mabete, since he’s playing well. Like a lot of #stfc fans, I got him wrong. Based on his cameo at Oldham & reports from Eastleigh, he was raw. The reality of the late has been a player showing maturity, and who is (mostly) trusted. 1/6

Drinan of Swindon Town about to shoot and miss against Barrow. The ball is slightly under his left foot and his right is drawn back to shoot but his arms are in a slightly unnatural position stuck outward.

I love Drinan. He’s a force of nature, a perpetual runner of such dreadful persistence. He is also currently scoring plenty of goals, but he’s such an inelegant striker of the ball: stiff, slightly off-balance, always trying to hammer everything. Glorious. #stfc

An EFL league 2 table showing AFC Wimbledon on 73 points but in 5th place when the teams around them have played just three games.

Looking at the Adver table tonight, it is going to be hard for #stfc to catch Wimbledon.

Was it that high? Suppose the Princewill shot was from a decent position too. Good stuff.

I think you are right. The younger elements of the team are learning fast and so long as we can maintain this decent start, there will be a lot more to come from mainly Princewill but also Munroe, Snowden and Ameen.

Along with the Bodin shot that never came, we could have made it a lot easier on ourselves at the end.

And claiming Minturn is 19 on th loan to ‘Nam story. Did ChatGPT tell you that too?

I know this is a minor complaint with all that goes on at #stfc but please stop using AI to write stuff for the website. Or at least prompt the water-wasting bullshit engine to use the past tense about stuff that has already happened.

Clarke is very interesting on the ‘keeper rule change and learning to defend against different types of strikers. Credit to @talkinghawes.bsky.social also for drawing it out. #stfc

If Smith is out and looking at WhoScored data both Cambridge CBs are 6’3 and 6’5”, so what is the plan? Both FBs stayed at home against ‘Nam so it could be tough to win or benefit from flick ons. Perhaps looking for something more mobile? #stfc

Swindon Town - Billy Bodin: 'I never really wanted to leave to be honest' - BBC Sounds Billy Bodin on his return to Swindon Town, 13 years on.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #stfc

Also what fantastic PR Holloway’s run is. It’s just a bleep test without the technology but some fans seem to think it is like completing all 12 of Hercules’ labours while carrying extra heavy shopping. #stfc

Bit cheeky from the Adver to run an ‘exclusive’ on quotes lifted from a YouTube interview given on the weekend and given a pokey headline. #stfc

I’m boycotting the new #stfc shirt. Mind you, I’ve boycotted every other #stfc shirt since I was a child. Because I’m no longer a child.

Drinan being quietly announced last night means there is only one contract offer on the table (with Ofoborh) and #stfc have retained the bulk of last year’s post Christmas team. Now to add a left foot or two…

Thanks Andrew. Thandrew

Excellent. Got any more? As in Mabete is on the official site now.

I think the big question is: in late May when the sun is up until 5 am until 9 pm, how the hell did the club manage to take his publicity photos in the dark? #stfc

True but what does Clarke manage? 12 cards - probably in fewer minutes.

The Kamohelo Mokotjo rumour is a bit more fun though #stfc