Defender Axel Tuanzebe doesn’t want too many plaudits or accolades at this early stage of the season despite his impressive start to the campaign, according to boss Kieran McKenna.

Tuanzebe, 26, has been one of the Blues’ top performers in the opening weeks of the campaign playing in the hybrid right-back role with Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler making reference to the DR Congo international’s pace limiting Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma during last week’s 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium.

However, McKenna says Tuanzebe, a free transfer from Manchester United just over a year ago, isn’t getting carried away but his impressive return to the top flight.

“He’s doing well. It’s very early, I don’t think he wants too many plaudits or accolades yet, it’s very early,” he said.

“But we know, everyone’s delighted with the trajectory Axel’s on, everyone knows what a difficult couple of years he had before he arrived here, he was in a difficult position last summer.

“He arrived here after the transfer window but built himself up well and developed physically, built up his robustness and his resilience over the first half of last season and trained really well.

“He wanted to play regularly earlier than he did, but stayed patient, stayed disciplined in himself, stayed as a key part of the group and got a big run of games in the second half of the season, very often playing in a slightly different role than he had done previously, but one we felt could really suit him.

“He finished the season strongly and he’s taken that into this season. He’s now an important member of the group. I think he’s someone who the boys see as a leader now within the squad.

“And we’re really happy with where he’s at, but he’s four games in. I know he wants to have a big season, a successful season and help the team, so he knows it’s very early days and, like all the other players, he’s still got a lot more to come.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ArnieM added 19:21 - Sep 19 His class was ( for me anyway(, never in doubt. He'd just not played for a year when he first joined us.
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flykickingbybgunn added 20:17 - Sep 19 Good for him.
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Bluestroller added 20:55 - Sep 19 A proper defender who I always feel will win his one on one battles. Benefitting greatly from KMs patient start with the blues.
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Linkboy13 added 10:18 - Sep 20 He's obviously worked hard on his fitness and has benefited having a pre season. Against Brighton he looked a yard quicker and the defence has a more physical presence and O'shea has added pace to the centre of defence. Dispite getting promoted last season we conceded far too many goals and changes had to be made. Wolfy has been excellent this season but in football tough decisions have to be made and O'shea does look a step up in class. Our problem will probably be creating and scoring goals but this could change when players settle in and start understanding each others games and partnerships are created. The January transfer window will be interesting i can see another striker being brought in on a short term deal somebody with experience.

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warno added 11:33 - Sep 20 His progress has been so well managed in not being rushed into gamed and now the benefits are being seen so congratulations to KM, Axel and the coaches.
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johnwarksshorts added 16:00 - Sep 20 What a bargain.
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Karlosfandangal added 12:30 - Sep 21 My stepson is a typical Man U support and told me Town were scrapping the barrel when we signed him. I just smile very smugly now
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