Bali Mumba is relishing the chance to prove himself in Norwich City’s first-team squad at Luton Town on Saturday.
The youngster has featured in every game during the Canaries reduced pre-season schedule as a right-back, and is set to be given a chance to impress Daniel Farke this weekend with Max Aarons on international duty and Sam Byram injured.
Aarons utilised his chance in the Carabao Cup two seasons ago to stake his claim for a regular starting berth in Farke’s squad and Mumba is hoping to grasp the opportunity handed to him in a similar way.
“I’m excited for Saturday. It’s a big opportunity for the new faces and all the lads who are looking to get a start and impress. I see it as an opportunity to really show what I can do from the start and earn trust from the boss with the ability that I’ve got.
“They’re coming into the game eager to beat us, prove a point and show that they can beat us, but we just have to go into the game with the mentality that if we work harder than them then there’s no doubt we can get the win.”
The 18-year-old joined City from League One side Sunderland earlier this summer - and admits he needs time to fully adapt to life at the club and to get to grips with Farke’s desired philosophy on the pitch.
“I’d say I’m settling into it quickly. It took me a few games and training sessions to understand, but right now I feel like I’m in a good spot and have settled in,” Mumba told City’s official channels.
“It’s been good for me. It helps me as a player to get better and improve when you have that intensity and quality. The standard is so high, and as a young player it’s going to help you get more comfortable and able to improve.
“Obviously, it’s a different playing style under the boss. Different teams have their own ways and structures of playing. With this team, I’m not fully there yet so I’m still trying to understand.
“There’s a lot of work to do and room to improve, so right now I’m just going to focus on understanding the way he wants me to play and the way he wants the team to play. I want to nail that down so I can progress.”
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