Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb believes this season's Elite Development Squad can eclipse last season's Premier League 2 title winners.
City have lost just twice in the league and are two points clear of Chelsea with a game in hand. The Blues, who are coached by former Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy, also gave a good account of themselves in the Papa John's Trophy with a notable win at Derby County.
Although they were knocked out in the group stages following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Grimsby Town, City's academy has gone from strength to strength. The 3-1 victory over Liverpool last time out saw Bobb and Carlos Borges steal the show.
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And the 19-year-old feels City have stepped it up a level this term considering a number of last season's successful side are no longer involved.
"I am really enjoying it and think we are maybe even playing better at times than we did last year and we have surprised people," Bobb told the City website ahead of their weekend clash with Fulham:
"Last year when we went into the season we had the likes of Macca (James McAtee), Sam (Sam Edozie), Liam (Liam Delap), Romeo (Lavia), sometimes Cole (Palmer) and Josh (Wilson-Esbrand). And there was more of an expectation that we were going to win and we were favourites.
"Whereas this year I feel like - we are not underdogs as such - but maybe a bit under the radar. I think as a team we’ve done really well since coming back from Christmas and the New Year. We’ve had not as tough a schedule in terms of having just one game a week and that has really helped us get more training in as a team.
"The young guys that have come in are maybe one or two years younger than me but they are still very professional. I see us more as a group of equals. I may be older, but we all act professional and do what we can to win games and develop as players which is the ultimate goal."
Following the game with Fulham, City face Everton before a UEFA Youth League knockout tie against Hajduk Split later this month.
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