West Bromwich Albion (A) | Mumba's Preview
Bali Mumba is in line to make his 50th start for Argyle, if selected, when the Greens take on West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Having impressed on loan last season, Mumba signed permanently at Home Park in the summer, and is pleased to have almost racked up a half-century of starts already in the green and white.
Should that milestone arrive at the Hawthorns this weekend, following two weeks without a fixture, it will come in front of another sold-out away end.
“The support's been incredible, with the fans sticking by us,” said Bali. “We'll need them again because they're that 12th man on the pitch for us. With their voices behind us that pushes us a little bit more and it keeps us going and keep fighting.
“Hopefully, at the weekend, they can come in their numbers like they always do, get behind us and hopefully we can put in a performance.
“[Playing my 50th game] will be a special moment and one to remember, definitely.
“I'm mostly grateful and thankful for the opportunity to play. It’s what I came here for and it's been one thing that I've always wanted to do; get game time and get opportunities to express myself.
“I'm just grateful that I've been given the chance to do it at such a great club.
“I think the international break was important, to regroup, refresh, gather thoughts and pick up from last time and go again. Hopefully Saturday we can put in a performance and get something out of it.”
Argyle have played predominantly in two different formations this season, and depending on which is selected at any point in a game can determine where Bali fits into matters. He has been employed on the left side of a front three in a 4-3-3 system, and as wing-back in a 3-4-3, also having the ability to play on either flank.
When playing in a front trio, he has typically lined up alongside Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker. Hardie has five goals to his name this season, and Whittaker four. Mumba has just one – a stunning solo goal on the season’s opening day – and is keen to get a few more to catch up with his fellow forwards.
Talking to Argyle TV, Bali said: “Those two are flying with goals right now, so I'm like: ‘guys, come over here, I need to catch up!’
“But no, it's good to play with them two. Ryan is a runner in behind. We know how quick he is, and he can link up as well. Morgan loves to beat two men and release the ball to us, which gives us that bit of a chance where once he's got the ball, if he does beat players, I know straight away where the ball is coming next.
“It gives me that preparation to now be prepared for when I do get the ball, for me to then try and do something myself. Once I do get that one, I feel like from then on, the door could open up for me. I’m staying positive.
“I feel like I'm just a player that wherever played, wherever the gaffer puts me to play, I'll do that if it means I'm helping the team in some way. I’m quite comfortable in doing that, going from left wing-back to left-back and to the right. I feel like I just want to do a job for the team and help the team as much as I can.
“It gives the gaffer more variety, where he knows he's got me if he needs to bring me to the right or to the left. It's about helping the team and whatever position I'm played in, I give my 100 per cent and do my best in that position.”
