Bristol City are nearly a third of the way through their season and, while Liam Manning will be disappointed with the number of games his side have drawn, the Robins have started positively.
The Reds sit 10th in the Championship table heading into the November international break, three points adrift of the playoff positions and seven clear of the relegation zone.
Barring disappointing back-to-back defeats to Derby County and Blackburn Rovers in September, Manning’s side have proven hard to beat only losing three of their opening 15 league matches.
Supporters were hoping for a top-six push this season after a busy transfer window which saw nine additions to the first-team squad, including Josh Stokes who joined Cambridge United on loan, in Manning’s first summer in charge at Ashton Gate.
As we head into the November international break, we’ve taken the chance to rate how this summer’s signings have started in City colours.
Max Bird – 8
The midfielder was technically a January signing after the Robins agreed a deal to bring him to the South West on deadline day from Derby County, but he didn’t officially become a Bristol City player until this summer.
However, the 24-year-old has quickly become one of the first names on Manning’s teamsheet, excelling in a more advanced midfield role in recent weeks.
Bird’s display in the dramatic 4-3 win over Millwall earlier in the season stands out. The former Derby man produced an excellent cross to assist Sinclair Armstrong before he interchanged brilliantly with Fally Mayulu in lay-on his first Ashton Gate strike.
Having picked up his first City goal in the Reds’ 3-1 over Preston at Deepdale, the midfielder is quickly becoming a fan favourite in BS3.
Fally Mayulu – 6
City’s first genuine signing of the summer, Mayulu arrived in the Championship with plenty of excitement even if fans weren’t quite sure what to expect of the ex-Rapid Vienna forward.
He certainly caught the eye as he scored from the bench in his first two league appearances against Hull City and Millwall, but still hasn’t been able to force his way into Manning’s starting XI on a regular basis.
His only Championship start came in the 3-0 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park and he only lasted 45 minutes before being replaced by Armstrong. Since then, minutes have been hard to come by.
While it is difficult to be too critical of a forward who has only played 211 minutes of league football this term, City fans haven’t seen the best of Mayulu yet. but is far too early to be writing him off.
Yu Hirakawa – 7
After a slow start to his Ashton Gate career following an injury at the Olympics, Hirakawa has taken to Championship football like a duck to water with a string of impressive performances.
The Japanese youth international caught the headlines for the wrong reasons having handballed past Preston keeper Freddie Woodman in the win at Deepdale, but other than that he has been pretty flawless.
Two goals and one assist in just seven Championship starts is an impressive return for the winger’s first season in England and City fans will be hoping that is just the start of Hirakawa’s heroics in BS3.
He has added an extra dimension to Manning’s attack that simply cannot be undervalued. The Bristol City boss needed some different options to call upon out wide and in Hirakawa, he has found a winger completely different to anyone else at his disposal.
Sinclair Armstrong – 6
The second addition to Manning’s frontline after Mayulu, the signing of Armstrong caught a few fans by surprise as it seemed to be completed almost out of the blue.
While obvious comparisons have been made with former Robins ace Antoine Semenyo, there is a rawness about the Ireland youth international’s game that wasn’t present when the Bournemouth star was at his best at Ashton Gate.
Two goals in eight Championship starts is by no means a poor goal return, but Armstrong hasn’t managed to find the net since August and while he continues to miss chances, questions will be asked about his signing.
The initial signs suggest that there is a player in there, the question will be whether or not Manning and the coaching team are able to draw it out of him.
George Earthy – 6
Another signing that came as a bit of surprise, Earthy arrived at Ashton Gate on a season-long loan from West Ham United to add some further depth in attacking midfield.
But the 20-year-old is yet to really get a chance in his favoured position so far this term, with his only two starts in City colours seeing him deployed at right-back.
Against both Sheffield United and Norwich City, the Hammers loanee impressed out of position showing experience beyond his years to deal with the attacking threat of Borja Sainz and Andre Brooks.
City fans may have only got a taste of what the young midfielder can offer, but the signs suggest that he could be an important player between now and the end of the season.
Bristol City Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol City Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol City stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol City Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol City news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scott Twine – 5
The saga of the summer was whether or not Twine would make his move to Ashton Gate permanent. While it took longer than most expected, the 25-year-old reunited with Manning and the Robins.
He couldn’t have got off to a better start with a late winner against Millwall in front of the Ashton Gate crowd, but injuries have meant that supporters will feel they haven’t seen the best of him.
Some will point to the Robins’ impressive form since Twine’s injury and suggest that shows he was an unnecessary signing, but it would be harsh to suggest those two things are directly correlated.
Hopefully, it won’t be too before the former Burnley man is back in action, but he could well have a fight on his hands to win his attacking midfield place back from Bird after the international break.
Marcus McGuane – 7
One of the later arrivals this summer, McGuane made the move from Oxford United with very little fanfare as Manning looked to add some depth in the middle of the park.
Supporters will have questioned why the ex-Barcelona B man was signed when he was left on the bench in each of his first seven matches, but he has proven them wrong since.
After a brief, but impressive, cameo against Middlesbrough, the 25-year-old has blown fans away with brilliant displays against Leed United, Preston, Sheffield United and Norwich.
Few would have expected it to be the case, but McGuane now feels almost undroppable at this moment in time. Joe Williams will have his work cut out to break back into the starting XI when he is back fit and available.
Luke McNally – 7
The final arrival in BS3 this summer, McNally was the only addition to Manning’s ranks on transfer deadline day as City looked to cover the then-injured Rob Dickie.
He was given a baptism of fire on debut as Blackburn put three goals past the Robins at Ewood Park, however, the Irishman has been steadily improving since that defeat and has established himself as a reliable member of the squad.
Perhaps his best moment in a City shirt came in the Severnside derby draw with Cardiff City as the centre-back rose highest to head home Williams’ cross and secure a valuable point.
His display against Norwich just before the international break was perhaps his best under Manning so far and he has given the Reds boss plenty of food for thought as Rob Atkinson continues to close in on a first-team return.