NO PLAYER has surprised Richie Wellens with regards to their performances on the pitch this season, though he again expressed that on loan goalkeeper Steven Benda could be the real deal.

In an interview with the Adver at the start of this month, Town boss Wellens stated his belief that the 21-year-old German stopper has every chance to develop into a player capable of competing at Premier League level in the future.

Ahead of this afternoon’s visit of Oldham in League Two, Wellens was asked the open question that invited him to comment on the player that has taken him by surprise this term.

The 39-year-old initially explained that all players he has attracted to the club have contributed sufficiently.

But Benda’s reflexes in goal – coupled with his fearless footwork skills – stood out most.

And he has again been tipped to rise up the Football League ranks.

“Steven Benda maybe is the real deal and could go all the way,” said Wellens.

“He can achieve a lot, he has surprised me how quickly and unassuming he has gone about his job.

“Apart from that, if I look across the team and the experienced players I brought in – Baudry, Fryers, Isgrove and those aged 27 and up – all have contributed.

“Jerry Yates has done exactly what I expected him to do, Kaiyne Woolery has moved to the wing and been exceptional. I don’t think any player has surprised me, just maybe some have done things quicker than I thought they would.”

Of the 34 players currently in Wellens’ squad, not all will remain at the conclusion of the January transfer window.

The Town boss has held talks with chairman Lee Power regarding how much of his current cloth he must cut in order to attract the calibre of player he would like when the new year dawns.

He briefly said: “Before you get players in, you have to discuss with the chairman what is going to go. We have discussed cutting the squad.”

Meanwhile, yesterday it was confirmed that Wellens and Town striker Eoin Doyle had scooped the League Two Manager of the Month and League Two Player of the Month awards respectively.

Wellens received his award after guiding Town to three successive League Two victories, while Doyle earned his second Player of the Month award on the bounce after also picking up the October prize a month ago.