Mumba's Bolton Preview
The freedom to express himself has been a major factor in Bali Mumba’s enjoyment during his loan with Argyle so far.
The wing-back has played 28 times since becoming a Pilgrim, and has impressed with energetic displays down both flanks. The Green Army took to Bali immediately, and the feeling is clearly mutual.
The 21-year-old credits manager Steven Schumacher with getting the best out of him, and giving him license to play the kind of football he enjoys.
“That’s something I've always wanted,” said Bali. “To get it here is something I'm glad has happened this season. That’s what's helping me put a performance in and show what I can do.
“I’ve had conversations with the gaffer; it's just a freedom, when I'm in the other half to go and express myself, to play without fear.
“It's a massive boost to my confidence because I know then I've got the licence to make mistakes in the attacking half, knowing that the gaffer wants me to get on it again and try it again. Every time I get the ball there's only one thing on my mind, which is to drive, be positive and try to create stuff.
“This season was a big season for me. I wanted it to be big for the situation I was in and for the season I had last season. I felt like this season I wanted to make a statement and I wanted to put myself out there. I'm grateful that it went this way and that I'm doing it here.”
This Saturday, Bali and his team-mates head to Bolton Wanderers, where leaders Argyle take on the side fifth in Sky Bet League One. Bolton average nearly 19,000 at home and have a good record this season on their own patch. With over 1,000 of the Green Army making the journey, the stage is set for a big occasion, which Bali is understandably highly anticipating.
After the trip to Bolton comes a game at Bristol Rovers in the quarter-final of the Papas Johns Trophy and a game away to fellow promotion candidates Ipswich Town.
The remainder of the season will include numerous huge games, and Bali emphasised the need for everyone to keep their feet on the ground.
“I look forward to those big games like Bolton,” he said, “like the one we’ve got coming up Ipswich. I look forward to those big games are where you need to come out and you can't hide. You need to show resilience and have the right attitude. It adds pressure but it's something that I thrive on and looking forward to.
“There's still a long way to go. That's one thing we need to remember; we need to stay humble. The most important thing is to stay consistent with how we are training, how we are playing. I think that if we are consistent with all of that - fingers crossed - by the end of the season it should be all smiles along the pitch."
