Nothing to do with this, but I know some of you enjoy reading the inevitable match day meltdown on the Leeds match day thread which is going pretty well today!
I have just finished watching Plymouth v Exeter - a decent game, especially for Bali Mumba who was given MOM and scored a screamer of a goal. if you can find the highlights for this game, Plymouth's second goal is well worth viewing (several times over)
I don't want to jinx him, but Bali Mumba really looks like he could be something special, doesn't he? I was disappointed he went out on loan but the more logical side of me accepts it was the right decision because he's at a club with really positive vibes at the moment rather than being dragged down by all the negativity surrounding us (whoever or whatever is to blame for that). It makes you realise what a lottery a loan out for a young player can be. At Peterborough, Mumba was barely played. At Plymouth, he was working under a manager who clearly liked him at once. The result is he's scored several goals, has several assists, and I think he has won MOTM a few times, too. Judging by the way he celebrated the goals of his other team-mates, he is loving it there.
Mumba's luck was that Plymouth's newly signed LB/WB was injured so he got an early chance and seized it as he produced 3 goals and 4 assists and is now undroppable. My recollection was that he came to us as a DM. He's now 21 and ready for first team football but perhaps his versatility worked against him as McCallum stayed and Bali went out on loan. If we gain promotion, I would argue for a 3 man back line with WBs but Smith, like Farke, doesn't seem open to that. Back in the summer I wasn't sure about McCallum, but he has done well since coming back from injury. Gibbs has also seized his chance, but I wonder whether Smith would have kept Mumba if he knew what was coming with the injuries to Hayden, Giannoulis and McCallum.
Looks like he’s mostly been playing left midfield, interestingly. I had always assumed he was lined up as our Aarons replacement when he gets sold.
I'm glad that Mumba is doing well at Plymouth but I'm pretty sure any of our fist team squad would be too good for League 1 .
Well, Ramsey didn't do much last year at Cheltenham. I'm not saying this as an attack on Ramsey, just as proof that it's not necessarily guaranteed to do well on a loan to a lower division.
I agree, but not yet apparently, Bure. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/norwich-city-boss-replies-january-7770198
Think those two will finish in the automatic promotion places, with the rest of us scrambling for playoff places. Lose today and we'll probably drop out of the top six.
