Bristol City’s best rated players of the season so far according to the statistics

It’s been an indifferent start to the Championship season for Bristol City so far as they sit above the relegation zone.

A positive start to the campaign in August and September saw them in and around the play-off spots but after one win and five defeats in their last six matches, there is definitely room for improvement.

The nature of league is that everyone can beat anyone and right now, the Robins are situated seven points off the play-offs, whilst also the same number of the nearest relegation spot.

There have been question marks over the exclusion of Kasey Palmer from the squad, whilst others have questioned the decision to rest Han-Noah Massengo from games.

With over a quarter of the season gone, a few players have stood out from the rest. FotMob - a website that thrives in this era of statistics, helps us know who is the MVP of the squad right now.

Robert Atkinson

Given there has been a bit of discussion of the summer signings and their success, it may come as a surprise that Robert Atkinson is the highest-ranked player this season.

Centre-back Atkinson has a rating of 7.26, which is averaged out from the games he has played this season.

The ratings are compiled by Opta, one of the leading data collectors in football, and provide over 100 statistics, including tackles made and aerial duels.

The key statistics for him is perhaps succeeding in 61% of his tackles, whilst making 29 interceptions and 86 clearances.

It’s surprising to see him rank so highly given he hasn’t been awarded a Player of the Match award in all 15 matches he’s played in.

Andreas Weimann

Second to Atkinson is Andreas Weimann, who has claimed the award for best player in the match a total of five times.

Playing mainly as a central attacking midfielder this season, he is the top scorer so far with seven goals in 17 matches. The 30-year-old on three occasions this season has scored braces, which have resulted in victories.

The stand-out performance this season which ranks him so highly is his 9.0 rating he achieved against Barnsley, which ended City’s search for a home win, having not won at home since January.

All seven of his goals have come from inside the box with one being a header, this has given him an xG (Expected Goals) prediction of 5.73.

It’s not just goals in the Austrian’s locker however, he’s also earned two assists, which has translated into 16 key passes.

Matty James

The last of the players with a seven rating or higher is Matty James, who has been a revelation since joining, he has achieved a 7.08 rating from those analysing him.

Up until sustaining a foot injury against Birmingham City, he had played in every minute of the league season. He later missed the 3-2 defeat to Coventry City with his absence perhaps a factor in the defeat given how solid he is in commanding his quarter of the pitch.

The former Leicester City man has a successful pass rate of 76%, whilst he’s made 19 tackles, which is 50% successful of the ones he’s attempted.

Who has the lowest rating?

At the opposite end of performers, Nahki Wells is listed as City’s worst performing player with a rating of 6.39.

Wells, who has been played out on the left wing this season has provided just one goal and one assist. As an attacker, his xG is rated as 3.11, which is at least two points below Weimann.

Some other damning statistics include having just four shots on target this season, as well as only three successful dribbles.