WHAT IS ADEBAYO'S BEST POSITION?

Since his summer arrival at SN1, Elijah Adebayo has been a striker that splits opinion between the Swindon faithful, with debates rife about the forward’s best position in the team. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker looked at the stats and weighs in on the argument.

Elijah Adebayo is a player full of potential, pace, but also problems. At the age of 22, the on-loan striker was brought to Swindon during the off-season in the hope that he could be the spearhead of Town’s playoff charge. 

But after starting the season brightly he was made to make way for the experienced Marc Richards as Brown sought to deploy Adebayo on the wing rather than through the middle. 

Since his time with the Robins, the promising youngster has started twelve League games, made four substitute appearances and scored four goals so far this season, Swindon’s second highest goal scorer, but what is his best position?

When analysing the statistics, it’s a no-brainer. Adebayo has played five games less starting as the squad's number nine but has won three matches compared to only the two victories Swindon have had when he was put on the wing. 

But as football fans know, statistics don’t tell everything. 

As a striker, Adebayo is a physical presence that uses his pace and strength to turn his opposite man, making runs into the box to get Swindon playing positive attacking football.

But when displaced onto the wing, the London-born forward struggles to make a significant impact and is too often let down by a poor touch or bad decision-making. 

Richards and Woolery will be the main hurdle lying in front of Adebayo if he is too make it into the team in his favoured striking position. 

But a lack of goals in the team should provide him with the chance to operate as the side’s main striker. However, it is crucial that when the opportunity arises he takes it. 

Now at a crucial stage of his career, Adebayo needs to be turning potential into proven match-winning performances. 

He has the ability to reach the upper heights of English football but first, he must seek to establish himself as Town’s dominant striker. 

The fans believe that starting through the middle is Adebayo’s best position, now it’s over to Phil Brown to make the call on who should be his main striker as Swindon Town hunt down promotion this season.