I still think we've looked better defensively with Mabete in the side. Yes he looks a little bit ropey on the ball but he seems like a defender who can actually defend. Wins a lot of ball in the air and makes us more robust - I'd start him
Yeah, I'm not sure where all of the negativity for Mabete has come from personally. It seems like him getting sent off against Eastleigh has made up a lot of people minds about him before he'd even played a competitive minute. Unlike several others, including experienced pros he's not made any mistakes that have even led to opportunities, let alone goals when he's come on so far. He's not a ball playing defender and has looked a bit nervous but nothing majorly wrong at all.
Even him getting reamed out by Smith for booting the ball out of play last week, I'll take a defender that follows the mantra "when in doubt boot it out" every day over one who tries to turn & play out of defence & promptly give the ball away for a goal.