As part of our Stacey West stat series—after our goals-per‑90 feature—we’re now examining the players who make the most impact inside the opposition box.
Touches per 90 in the penalty area reflect who’s really influencing the action near goal. These 13 players (all with 400+ minutes) stood out this season.
Also, I am aware that the photos are all of Lincoln, but I have a lot of great photos from Bubs, so out they come! All stats from Wyscout.
13. James Collins – 3.94 touches/90 (Lincoln City, CF, 34)
James Collins featured in 20 matches for the Imps, playing 1,392 minutes and consistently involving himself in penalty-box activity. Averaging 3.94 touches per 90, Collins showed a masterclass in positioning and instinct, often peeling off defenders or arriving late in the box to create space.
His experience allowed him to time his movement effectively and remain a reliable target man. For a side like City, where movement and timing often decide tight games, Collins’ ability to keep defenders engaged in dangerous areas provided an essential platform for others to thrive.
12. Paul Mullin – 3.99 (Wrexham, CF/AMF, 30)
Paul Mullin continues to be a talismanic figure at Wrexham. The 30-year-old forward logged 1,307 minutes in 26 matches and averaged just under four touches in the box per 90. Mullin’s game is built on relentless energy and a predatory instinct in the penalty area.
He constantly plays on the shoulder of the last defender and is always alive to rebounds, cutbacks, or half-chances. Despite limited minutes due to injury, his ability to affect the game in the most crucial areas remained undiminished, and his knack for arriving in the right place at the right time remains his standout trait.
11. Alfie May – 4.01 (Birmingham City, CF/AMF, 31)
Alfie May has established himself as one of League One’s most tenacious and clever forwards. At 31, he managed 2,557 minutes for Birmingham City and averaged just over four touches in the penalty area per 90. May’s style is based on constant movement, darting runs, and intelligent positioning.
He often drops deep before sprinting into the box to connect with cutbacks or crosses. His low centre of gravity and timing make him difficult to mark. That ability to repeatedly get on the end of chances explains his consistent goal return and his importance in a promotion-chasing Birmingham side.
10. Dan Agyei – 4.02 (Leyton Orient, RAMF/CF, 28)
Dan Agyei brought dynamism and directness to Leyton Orient’s frontline in 2024/25. Over 3,112 minutes, the 28-year-old wide forward averaged 4.02 touches per 90 in the penalty box. Agyei’s game revolves around pace, power, and driving into dangerous areas, either by running in behind or carrying the ball from wide areas into the heart of the action.
His ability to commit defenders opened up opportunities for himself and teammates, and his high involvement inside the box reflects how central he was to Orient’s attacking structure. Despite not being an out-and-out striker, his penalty box presence was vital.
9. Matt Godden – 4.08 (Charlton Athletic, CF, 33)
Matt Godden has been a consistent performer at this level for years, and his 2024/25 campaign at Charlton Athletic was no different. The 33-year-old striker played over 3,000 minutes and maintained an average of 4.08 touches per 90 inside the box. Godden’s playing style relies heavily on movement, anticipation, and understanding of space.
Rarely static, he works tirelessly to find gaps between defenders, always offering an outlet for midfielders and wingers. His knack for arriving at just the right time in the six-yard area continues to make him one of the league’s most effective poachers.
8. Chuks Aneke – 4.11 (Charlton Athletic, CF, 31)
Chuks Aneke offers a unique profile in Charlton’s attack. Despite featuring in just 832 minutes over 28 appearances, the 31-year-old still averaged 4.11 touches per 90 in the penalty box. Aneke is a physical presence who combines strength with surprising technical ability.
He occupies defenders, wins aerial duels, and has the ability to bring the ball down and lay it off in tight areas. His high penalty-area involvement is a testament to his ability to stay active in central positions and consistently get into scoring situations, even with relatively limited time on the pitch.
7. Lyndon Dykes – 4.17 (Birmingham City, CF/AMF, 29)
Lyndon Dykes offered Birmingham a powerful focal point when fit and available. The 29-year-old Scotland international played 1,100 minutes, averaging 4.17 touches per 90 in the box. Dykes is a classic centre-forward in many respects—strong in the air, quick across the ground, and difficult to dispossess.
His movement in and around the area often created space for teammates, and his ability to contest balls inside the box added a physical edge to Birmingham’s frontline. Even when not scoring, Dykes’ presence ensured defenders were constantly on alert.
6. Jay Stansfield – 4.21 (Birmingham City, CF/AMF, 22)
Jay Stansfield continues to deliver on his considerable promise. At just 22, the Birmingham City forward clocked 2,884 minutes across 37 games and averaged 4.21 touches per 90 in the area. Stansfield excels at drifting between defenders, exploiting half-spaces, and linking with overlapping teammates.
His awareness of movement and positioning inside the box has become one of his standout attributes. His touches aren’t just quantity—they’re quality—often involving quick turns, layoffs, or efforts on goal. He’s fast becoming one of the best-rounded forwards in the division.
5. Keshi Anderson – 4.22 (Birmingham City, LAMF/RAMF, 30)
Keshi Anderson brought experience and attacking flair to Birmingham’s wide areas. At 30, he featured in 37 games (2,367 minutes), averaging 4.22 touches in the penalty area per 90. Anderson’s game has always revolved around clever movement and technical control.
Whether drifting inside from the flank or arriving late into the box, he consistently found pockets of space to operate in. His touches often led to second-phase opportunities or quick link-ups with strikers, and his experience was key in helping Birmingham unlock deep defences.
4. Shayne Lavery – 4.43 (Cambridge United, CF/LWF, 26)
Shayne Lavery might not have had the most minutes—954 across 15 matches—but his 4.43 touches per 90 in the box shows how heavily involved he was when on the pitch. The 26-year-old Northern Ireland international plays with a real striker’s instinct, constantly buzzing around the penalty area and playing off the shoulder of defenders.
His quick reactions and sharp turns allowed him to create shooting chances from nothing. Despite a stop-start campaign, Lavery’s numbers highlight how influential he was when fit.
3. Emil Hansson – 4.55 (Birmingham City, LAMF, 26)
Emil Hansson provided an excellent attacking outlet for Birmingham when called upon. Over 988 minutes and 20 matches, the 26-year-old Norwegian averaged 4.55 touches in the penalty area per 90. Hansson is a winger with a direct approach—always looking to beat his man, cut inside, and create danger.
His close control and low centre of gravity helped him navigate tight spaces and generate shots or crosses from dangerous positions. Although his game time was limited, Hansson’s stats suggest he was highly productive when involved.
2. Steven Fletcher – 4.76 (Wrexham, CF/AMF, 38)
Steven Fletcher defied his age with another effective campaign at 38. The veteran striker logged 1,305 minutes in 40 matches and recorded 4.76 touches per 90 in the area. Fletcher’s game now is less about pace and more about timing, strength, and movement.
He stays close to the goal, using every bit of his experience to peel away from defenders, hold off challenges, and link play. His high box-touch figure reflects his importance as a penalty-area target and a player who always seems to be in the right place.
1. Richard Kone – 4.98 (Wycombe Wanderers, CF, 21)
Richard Kone led all of League One for touches in the penalty area per 90 in 2024/25. The 21-year-old forward logged 3,161 minutes in 43 appearances and averaged a remarkable 4.98 touches per 90. Kone’s success comes from his relentless desire to get into goal-scoring areas.
His movement is sharp, his anticipation is elite for his age, and his quick feet allow him to manipulate space and create shooting opportunities under pressure. As Wycombe’s main attacking outlet, he constantly kept defences occupied. Few players in the league were as consistently involved in the danger zone.
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