Thetownend.com

Got to give the guy huge credit. I was one saying he's not good enough at the end of last season but he looks a more mature leader who makes by far less mistakes. Great start to the season by him.

I was thinking of starting this thread.

He's already a bit of a ledge for 'that' forearm smash, maybe he could go on to be a proper club legend.

Revelation so far

The book of? Or another reference to the second coming?

Been exceptional so far this season. Still believe that Cooper should've put him on for N.Thompson at Wembley instead of Ricketts, to keep Beckford out. But that's the past now. I reckon he'll have a great season, however he is still a little bit sloppy when he's on the ball at the back (giving the ball away leading to a goal) but that can improve. But love his passion towards the club and he's an old fashioned centre back which is great to see.

Certainly wouldn't have thought that he was captain material, he's taken to that really well too. Him and Turnbull look a very solid pairing.

Was excellent again today, impressed.

To think williams is to come back also

I've said it before - he was continually left exposed in last season's back 3, mainly because of Byrne's reluctance to track back. He was invariably on the right of the 3 and is now playing where he should - as a central defender.

Maybe he will be our next big saleable asset? What a thought  :eek:

He was culpable for some bizarre unforced errors and decision making too.

Can't knock him this year, though. Williams and Turnbull are competing for the one place alongside him at the moment.

Who'd have thought 6 games into the season Branco and Rodgers would be almost undroppable?

Branco yes. Rodgers no. Kasim over him every day.

He attracted interest early last season.

Yes but I'm talking about the Luongo/Gladwin/Byrne level of interest - not a few sets of tracksuits and some footballs. He has to keep performing consistently for that to happen of course.

Normally I'd agree, but if we're picking players, as with Branco, on the basis of current form rather than past performances, Rodgers has been a lot more influential than Kasim so far this year.

Think those two are battling for one spot alongside Traore at the moment. All three at the same time makes for a very tippy-tappy midfield.

To be honest I think cooper will play Williams in midfield leaving Traore, who I think will start, Kasim and Rodgers. Kasim will get the nod I think.

Get the feeling the club, along with Kasim himself, thought he would go during the window.

Agree regarding Branco.

Hard to drop Rodgers, I too think that he's been more influential than Kasim thus far.

The whole squad, when fit, should make for a very exciting season...

Where do people realistically think we can/will finish this season?

In League One

I don't see any reason as to why we can't go up

I've been blown away by Rossi Branco this season. He's still all arms when he's marking someone, but his positioning has been better, his heading is reliable and generally the introduction of his trips taking the ball up front straight up the middle of the park are a great addition.

He'll get a goal sooner or later if he can work on that end product. ;)

This is crucial.  His positioning has been almost comical at times, and I've been a big critic of his over the years.  I've only been to one match this year (Sheff U at home), but if that's what Branco's been turning out regularly, he's improved massively.  I'll be at Barnsley, so here's hoping I see some more of the same.

Definitely. The main mistake of his that jumps out at me is Exeter. Definitely a strong player now. Love his South American passion that comes out, too. It's a cold Tuesday night in Newport in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. It's come to pens. Only he would celebrate like he did after netting it. Spot on.