The numbers behind Aden Flint's dominant Walsall debut in win over Swindon

Flint, now 36, played the anchor role in the centre of the back-line, flanked by the much more youthful Rico Browne and Evan Weir. 

Browne was making his league debut for the club and Weir was looking to make a strong early impression in his quest to succeed the now departed Taylor Allen. 

The calm amid the storm

Both benefitted from the guidance of Flint, who rarely missed a beat to help orchestrate an efficient defensive display, especially once Walsall went down to 10-men. 

Heads could've easily bowed once Brandon Comley was given his early marching orders midway into the first half, but Flint immediately turned to Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts and called for calm. 

Walsall recovered, and despite sitting increasingly deeper as the half wore on, remained disciplined and organised out-of-possession. 

Numbers to prove it

His numbers testified eloquently to the exciting nature of his debut. He completed more defensive actions (19) than any player on the pitch, and also the most clearances (16). 

As expected, Flint made an unrivalled 11 headed clearances, but it's not just the sheer amount of aerial duels that he won which stands out. 

Aden Flint's numbers vs Swindon (according to FotMob) 

• 19 defensive actions (1st)
•  2 blocks (1st) 
• 16 clearances (1st)
• 11 headed clearances (1st)

On a number of occasions, Flint cushioned his header into the feet of a teammate, and this was no more crucial than in the build-up to Connor Barrett's eventual stoppage time winner. 

Flint towered above his man to launch his header forward to Courtney Clarke, who after a quick exchange with Lewis Warrington, combined again to slot Barrett through on goal. 

Following his promising debut cameo, Clarke received the plaudits, alongside Barrett, and rightly so, but Flint also played his part in the decisive moment. 

In fact, only Evan Weir (nine) completed more passes into the final third out of the Saddlers' outfield players than Flint (six) across the 90 minutes.

'First 10 yards in his brain'

Critics questioned whether he still has the legs, and although he was rarely lured into a footrace, it's clear that he still has the first 10 yards in his brain. 

Not only that, but his character and winning mentality is exactly the type of example which Walsall's young team will need to follow, especially during difficult moments in the season. 

Only Harrogate Town (24.7) fielded a younger XI than Walsall on the opening weekend in League Two, but Flint's arrival had brought the average age of the central defensive options up from 22.6 to 24.8. 

With a leadership pack of Flint, Albert Adomah and Jamille Matt coupled with a cohort of fresh young players, Sadler appears to have found the right blend between youth and experience.

"Same as Albert and Jamille. Similar types of guys and you just have to follow suit with that. 

"It's very important those examples. That's why people talk about experience but that is only worthwhile if they set the right examples, and have still got that bit to achieve. 

"Aden has that. He has been a winner throughout his career and he wants more."