Bristol City's best signing of the season so far: Massengo, Rowe, Bentley, Williams? Judging the initial success of City's summer transfer market moves please log in to view this image After 11 games, Bristol City sit pretty in sixth, just two points off the top of the table and with an exciting squad from who more progression is expected. The Robins are the top goalscorers away from home but are middle-low in table for scoring goals at home. While the unbeaten run is 10 games, and away form is good with home results also going well of late, City look well set to go again after the break - with Tomas Kalas and Adam Nagy set to reinforce the squad. City have a decent defensive record that has improved of late and there is plenty to be happy at. With all that in mind, we've taken a look at who looks to have been the best piece of transfer business for the Robins in the summer, with the caveat that we have OBVIOUSLY only seen 11 league games and the League Cup game at QPR Tomas Kalas and Jay Dasilva In the long run, the two ex-Chelsea men may be viewed as terrific business for their respective prices. We understand that Kalas cost between £7-8m and Dasilva £2-3m. Given those prices, both look good business - especially if City go on and achieve success on the pitch in the near future. However, with injuries restricting the appearances for both there are players with greater claims... Ashley Williams The veteran Wales central defender looked a mite rusty in his first game up at Stoke City but has settled nicely since then, helping the Robins to back to back clean sheets in BS3 for one thing, with Williams playing important roles against former club Swansea City and making a nice partnership with Taylor Moore in the win over Reading. A free transfer pick-up and - as the head coach explained previously - not on a wage at the top end of the club even, Williams and City have played well and the former Stoke City man has quickly regained his Wales place. A contender. Dan Bentley A heavyweight contender for best signing of the summer: Bentley has been brilliant between the sticks pulling off save after save. Stopping Yakou Meite when clean through at home against Reading, making a vital save to deny Andre Ayew when the Swan was bearing down on the City goal, another to deny James McClean who just had Bentley to beat, and more to deny Tom Eaves and Kamil Grosicki in a win up at the KCOM Stadium. His distribution has been brilliant and the former Bee is a key part of Lee Johnson's current side. Han-Noah Massengo Arguably the dynamic 18-year-old has only been in the side because Adam Nagy has been injured: but how he has played since breaking in. Leading the way last weekend with ball recoveries across the league - and that was at the end of a gruelling three match week before the international break. Serious potential and the Robins have a real gem in the ranks, with Thierry Henry recently in attendance to watch as Massengo helped City to a point in West London. An unbelievable talent and a brilliant signing. But just pipped currently - for us - as City's best summer capture by... Tommy Rowe Rowe has quickly demonstrated his character and professionalism to earn respect in the City dressing room, and the former Doncaster Rovers captain has sewn up that left flank since the unfortunate injury to Jay Dasilva. He's also a 'physical specimen' - as detailed by Jamie McAllister to us - and has thighs made of sheer granite. When you factor in his vital goals that earned points against Birmingham City away and Middlesbrough at Ashton Gate, plus his versatility then Rowe stands out. Add in that he cost nothing, albeit a signing-on fee and so on, then as Lee Johnson and McAllister have said, he looks like one of the signings of the season, let alone these opening 11 games. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bristol-citys-best-signing-season-3418275
Bentley for me. What a keeper. I do feel for Maenpaa though; second choice for years at Brighton and now second choice again. Always a bridesmaid never the bride for him it seems. Another top keeper at this level. We are very fortunate to have both of them
I'm going for Bentley so far a real class act, if he keeps the form going I think bigger clubs will come knocking.
Tommy Rowe a very low key free signing with no fanfares but it could have been a disaster with Dasilva going down with a long term injury after the first game, but he has stepped in and not looked out of place, very versatile position wise and even scored a couple of important goals
For me - Rowe , lets be honest he was bought as cover, due to circumstances he’s stepped up and become one of our most consistent performers, the others mentioned have been brilliant too, but they were meant to be. That we have managed to obtain so many points against difficult opposition without a number of our best players speaks volumes for depth of the squad, I do worry about lack of cover upfront , Semenyo doesn’t seem ready yet , I’m sure he will be eventually as he has the attributes, if we can keep in touch until January and Fam can stay injury free this could be an exciting season. COYR
I would say Naggy is top of the pile he looks complete and utter class. Playing time I am going for a 18 year old wonder kid from France. Gone straight into the midfield slot and looks like he has been playing in the championship for years. Bentley class Rowe been fantastic Afobe top top striker sign him Palmer class especially when Afobe was playing same wave length. Kalas a rock him alongside Baker fantastic. Desilva class but injured early doors.
Bentley for me. GK has been a spot we haven’t really sorted for a couple of seasons now. In terms of value for money it would be Rowe. What I like about the team at the moment is how the “fringe” players have all stepped up, Moore, Rowe and Massengo could not have expected to have played so many minutes at this stage of the season when they signed, and they have all been fantastic so far.
From afar I think Bentley is our best signing. Some may think harsh but sure we'd have half a dozen points less if Fielding had still been No 1. It's all down to the money now afforded to our HC. And no other manager has been allowed to pay a defender £25k a week. Money isn't everything (Rowe) but it bloody helps.
True statement; however, another true statement, no other HC has kept us the Championship long enough to build a financial base in which we can pay those wages!!!
That goes for every club doesn't it?? I think it's great to have a half decent HC at the club........Prince LJ, hopefully a King one day....
and has to be said for the stadium, and now how "we can" ………. because ... we get gates of at least 3-4k more, ……. a players wages! ? also share stadium costs ! have good outsourcing for matchday trading plus whatever goes on during the week conferences etc?! better paying sponsers…. etc etc etc