Cleverley backing Mumba to find his goal threat in Devon derby

TOM Cleverley believes Bali Mumba can be one of the solutions to Plymouth Argyle's struggles to break down opposition sides at Home Park this season by coming up with goals and assists.

- By CHRIS ERRINGTON [e-mail]

The Pilgrims have encountered a number of teams who have defended in a low block and apart from striker Lorent Tolaj, who already seven times in all competitions since his transfer from Port Vale in August, goals have been hard to come by.

Argyle have taken the lead in their last two home League One games, against Wigan Athletic on October 4 and AFC Wimbledon at the weekend but drew 1-1 in the first of them and lost 2-1 in the second.

Cleverley said: "I know it's in Bali to score goals in this league. We saw it two, three years ago. We need to unlock that because he's an important player for us."

Mumba spent the 2022/23 season on loan to Argyle from Norwich City and he played a big part in their League One title success, scoring six goals in 37 starts and four substitute appearances and also had a number of assists as a wing-back.

That form led to him joining the Pilgrims on a permanent basis in the summer of 2023 but he has only netted three times since then, and not at all in 12 league starts this term, and that is something Cleverley has been trying to address with Mumba.