Players that have surprised you and has BBM surprised you?

What are the players that have surprised you so far this season, for good and for bad?

And are you surprised BBM has had such a good start?

I'll start.


When it comes to BBM, no I am not surprised. He wasn't my pick to get the job. But I then read up on him and realised that he was the perfect appointment for this squad.

I told anybody that would listen that he'd improve the players we have and have us playing an attractive style.

When I watch his or press conferences I'm even more sure that he's the right man for the job. Knows so much about the game and seems down to earth, hasn't got too big for his boots just because he worked at an elite club like Man City with some elite players/coaches like Cole Palmer and Guardiola/Maresca.

Can see why the players are enjoying working with him and why players that have worked with him in the past rate him so highly.

Long may his good start continue.



For good:


Chris Willock. He did well with QPR one year but has largely been a disappointment for us. Until this season where he has been one of our best players in every game he's played apart from Port Vale. He looks happy for the first time too. Automatic starter for me right now.

Will Fish is another one. When he got a chance last season, I thought he mostly struggled. But this season he looks assured and has made some brilliant passes.

Could also say Rubin. He's always had the ability but consistency has been my issue and playing the game in front of him instead of fancy tricks when they're unnecessary. He's stepped up so far.


For bad:


Not a huge suprise but I did wonder whether Chambers would do better at CB in this league. He hasn't.

Ng had a bad season last year but thought he'd cope in this league. But he had a bad game at Stockport.


But it has all been mostly positive.

Not at all surprised with the way bbm has started, I've said from day 1 he's a good fit for our club and I'd expect us to be in and around the top 2 come May

Player who's surprised me the most is Ryan Wintle, I honestly thought his time with us was done but he's come back got his head down and at the moment is one of our most important and consistent players long may it continue

Kpakio and Lawlor but have to say wintle surprised me most

Players that have suprised and improved all bar chambers and ng and robinson coincidence they are the older crew.

BBM's biggest negative so far is playing Chambers at centre back. I dont recall him having 1 good game there.

Number 4 is his best position and I'd much prefer him there over Wintle against a Norwood type opposition.

BBM's biggest negative so far is playing Chambers at centre back. I dont recall him having 1 good game there.

Number 4 is his best position and I'd much prefer him there over Wintle against a Norwood type opposition.

I agree but that's been said over and over again since Saturday.

What players have surprised you - for good or for bad?

And has the manager surprised you?

BBM has totally suprised me, i didn't know much about him but he was obviously good at working with youth. He has us playing some very good football especially at home, and is getting a tune out of Willock. Lawlor has suprised in how quickly he is maturing.

I knew we’d do well, but maybe not this well.

I never understood the people who said the squad was rubbish, they’ve never been rubbish but the management last season was and that counts for a hell of a lot.

Most impressed with how quick they’ve adapted to BBMs style and how good our defensive record is.

The young players have done well - Willock has done more to this point than last season = Long may it continue .
The manager has had a plan and let's be fair he has done the job - We are Top Of The League

Good - BBM Trott Turner Lawlor Kapacio Wintle Colwill Colwill Willock Tanner
Not as good as expected - Chambers NG Salech (still good, but I thought he would tear it up) Robinson

Good - BBM Trott Turner Lawlor Kapacio Wintle Colwill Colwill Willock Tanner
Not as good as expected - Chambers NG Salech (still good, but I thought he would tear it up) Robinson

Unfair to include Salech in that list.
Like many of our strikers of recent years, it’s impossible to carve out opportunities if you don’t receive the ball.
We now have a talisman up front and we still don’t whip crosses into the box.
Chambers shouldn’t be anywhere near starting as is a total liability when put under pressure, but even he wasn’t responsible for 1 shot on target against Stockport or the mirror shocker of a performance against Vale. BBM was.

I think many City supporters (and I include myself in this) need to not get too carried away and keep their expectations realistic and perhaps thank the footballing Gods. If we’re being honest both Vale and Stockport should have won by a country mile.Their finishing missing chance after chance and the sheer brilliance of Trott came to our rescue. We were also lucky against Wimbledon and somehow won against Luton when they were the better team that day. Again the same as Vale and Stockport Trott kept us in the game. We need to start learning how to deal with physicality and being put under pressure as eventually our luck will run out.

What has surprised me is why we play so differently away from home? We set up the same (more or less) but away from home we seem reluctant to have a go and put the opposition under pressure. Strange especially when the high press used to great success at home is ignored away? It like we have a mindset of “not to lose” rather than go out and win.

Good - BBM Trott Turner Lawlor Kapacio Wintle Colwill Colwill Willock Tanner
Not as good as expected - Chambers NG Salech (still good, but I thought he would tear it up) Robinson

Unfair to include Salech in that list.
Like many of our strikers of recent years, it’s impossible to carve out opportunities if you don’t receive the ball.
We now have a talisman up front and we still don’t whip crosses into the box.
Chambers shouldn’t be anywhere near starting as is a total liability when put under pressure, but even he wasn’t responsible for 1 shot on target against Stockport or the mirror shocker of a performance against Vale. BBM was.

I think many City supporters (and I include myself in this) need to not get too carried away and keep their expectations realistic and perhaps thank the footballing Gods. If we’re being honest both Vale and Stockport should have won by a country mile.Their finishing missing chance after chance and the sheer brilliance of Trott came to our rescue. We were also lucky against Wimbledon and somehow won against Luton when they were the better team that day. Again the same as Vale and Stockport Trott kept us in the game. We need to start learning how to deal with physicality and being put under pressure as eventually our luck will run out.

What has surprised me is why we play so differently away from home? We set up the same (more or less) but away from home we seem reluctant to have a go and put the opposition under pressure. Strange especially when the high press used to great success at home is ignored away? It like we have a mindset of “not to lose” rather than go out and win.

Maybe harsh, I like him just feel it's not quite working for him yet, but he's a great bloke and i'm sure BBM will help him tweak things to get scoring regurlarly.

Good - BBM Trott Turner Lawlor Kapacio Wintle Colwill Colwill Willock Tanner
Not as good as expected - Chambers NG Salech (still good, but I thought he would tear it up) Robinson

Unfair to include Salech in that list.
Like many of our strikers of recent years, it’s impossible to carve out opportunities if you don’t receive the ball.
We now have a talisman up front and we still don’t whip crosses into the box.
Chambers shouldn’t be anywhere near starting as is a total liability when put under pressure, but even he wasn’t responsible for 1 shot on target against Stockport or the mirror shocker of a performance against Vale. BBM was.

I think many City supporters (and I include myself in this) need to not get too carried away and keep their expectations realistic and perhaps thank the footballing Gods. If we’re being honest both Vale and Stockport should have won by a country mile.Their finishing missing chance after chance and the sheer brilliance of Trott came to our rescue. We were also lucky against Wimbledon and somehow won against Luton when they were the better team that day. Again the same as Vale and Stockport Trott kept us in the game. We need to start learning how to deal with physicality and being put under pressure as eventually our luck will run out.

What has surprised me is why we play so differently away from home? We set up the same (more or less) but away from home we seem reluctant to have a go and put the opposition under pressure. Strange especially when the high press used to great success at home is ignored away? It like we have a mindset of “not to lose” rather than go out and win.

Maybe harsh, I like him just feel it's not quite working for him yet, but he's a great bloke and i'm sure BBM will help him tweak things to get scoring regurlarly.

I know what you mean about Salech. He just hasn't quite got going yet. His goals and assists are probably down on where you would expect them to be. Still has a big influence on games though with just his presence. The Wintle top corner goal would never have gone in had Salech not been on the pitch. He barged the centre back just enough to wrong foot him meaning he couldn't jump to head the ball clear. I love the guy, even below par I wouldn't drop him from the starting team.

Players that have surprised me - Kpakio and Lawlor, they've both been brilliant, just so confident on the ball. I also think Joel Colwill has covered really well for Turnbull and Robertson (although his bro has been the highlight of the season so far).

With BBM, he's been great. What's surprised me most with him is this quiet discipline he's bought about the place. No hair dryer treatment but there is an instant respect there from the players and they proper play for him. I think this respect will always be there so it bodes well for the season.

Wilock,Bagan,Lawler.Joel Colwill

Rubin. Since he came into the 1st team he's been a luxury player. I completely understood previous managers reluctance to play him as he blew hot and cold, then needed to be carried. Since BBM took charge he's covered every blade of grass, leads the line pressing, wins headers. I've been massively impressed, when he has a quiet game like against Stockport it's a no brainer to leave him on and hope for a bit of magic because you know he's still working his socks off for you. The talent has always been there but he's a player now

Good - BBM Trott Turner Lawlor Kapacio Wintle Colwill Colwill Willock Tanner
Not as good as expected - Chambers NG Salech (still good, but I thought he would tear it up) Robinson

Unfair to include Salech in that list.
Like many of our strikers of recent years, it’s impossible to carve out opportunities if you don’t receive the ball.
We now have a talisman up front and we still don’t whip crosses into the box.
Chambers shouldn’t be anywhere near starting as is a total liability when put under pressure, but even he wasn’t responsible for 1 shot on target against Stockport or the mirror shocker of a performance against Vale. BBM was.

I think many City supporters (and I include myself in this) need to not get too carried away and keep their expectations realistic and perhaps thank the footballing Gods. If we’re being honest both Vale and Stockport should have won by a country mile.Their finishing missing chance after chance and the sheer brilliance of Trott came to our rescue. We were also lucky against Wimbledon and somehow won against Luton when they were the better team that day. Again the same as Vale and Stockport Trott kept us in the game. We need to start learning how to deal with physicality and being put under pressure as eventually our luck will run out.

What has surprised me is why we play so differently away from home? We set up the same (more or less) but away from home we seem reluctant to have a go and put the opposition under pressure. Strange especially when the high press used to great success at home is ignored away? It like we have a mindset of “not to lose” rather than go out and win.

Maybe harsh, I like him just feel it's not quite working for him yet, but he's a great bloke and i'm sure BBM will help him tweak things to get scoring regurlarly.

I know what you mean about Salech. He just hasn't quite got going yet. His goals and assists are probably down on where you would expect them to be. Still has a big influence on games though with just his presence. The Wintle top corner goal would never have gone in had Salech not been on the pitch. He barged the centre back just enough to wrong foot him meaning he couldn't jump to head the ball clear. I love the guy, even below par I wouldn't drop him from the starting team.

Players that have surprised me - Kpakio and Lawlor, they've both been brilliant, just so confident on the ball. I also think Joel Colwill has covered really well for Turnbull and Robertson (although his bro has been the highlight of the season so far).

With BBM, he's been great. What's surprised me most with him is this quiet discipline he's bought about the place. No hair dryer treatment but there is an instant respect there from the players and they proper play for him. I think this respect will always be there so it bodes well for the season.

We don't play to Salech strength, there's a goalscorer in there but you need to feed him crosses, not that I'd change anything at the moment you can't argue with the results

Wilock,Bagan,Lawler.Joel Colwill