'Cut him some slack' - Huddersfield Town fans told to change Bali Mumba stance | OneFootball

Huddersfield Town have been urged to be patient with Bali Mumba, who joined from Plymouth Argyle in January

Huddersfield Town are still firmly in the hunt for a League One play-off spot despite enduring a lack of stability this term.

The Terriers' 2-1 win at Leyton Orient on Easter Monday took them to within three points of the top six, albeit sixth-place Stevenage have a game in hand on the West Yorkshire outfit.

Huddersfield's triumph over Orient was their first win in five attempts, but they will look to take that momentum into this Saturday's clash with Wycombe Wanderers.

Meanwhile, the Terriers are on their third management team of the season, following Lee Grant's sacking and Liam Manning's compassionate leave.

Huddersfield Town handed Bali Mumba assessment

Huddersfield were particularly busy in January, as they replaced Grant with Manning while also utilising the transfer market to reshape their squad.

One of the signings that the West Yorkshire club made in the winter was that of Bali Mumba, who has been utilised as a left-wing-back since joining from Plymouth Argyle.

Football League World asked our Terriers fan pundit, Graeme Rayner, what he has made of Mumba so far, and if he is happy with the 24-year-old's impact.

Rayner told FLW: "Bali Mumba. He's divided opinion, really, since he's arrived. I'm probably on the side of there's enough promise there to wait and see.

"He's only actually played 15 games in the league. He has got a couple of assists in there, and we have to remember that in those 15 games, he's now on his third manager, effectively, because he was signed late on in the Lee Grant period.

"He's then had Liam Manning, and now Liam Manning has taken a compassionate leave of absence. So, he's been looked after by, effectively, caretaker managers.

"I think he deserves us to cut him some slack. He's got lots of potential. His final product, in terms of an end ball when we're attacking, probably isn't quite where we want it at.

"But, at times, in bursts, he's looked really good. At other times he's looked very vulnerable and not quite good enough. Hopefully, looking forward to next season, with a proper pre-season, and some consistency in system, tactics, and leadership from management, then hopefully he can really bed in and sort himself out.

"I don't mind him, some people really don't like him, I don't mind him. We'll see where he goes, but I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt so far, given the upheaval at the club."

Huddersfield Town supporters should retain patience with Bali Mumba

As summarised by Rayner, some Terriers fans are not satisfied with Mumba's end product, but the former Plymouth man has never been prolific in terms of goals and assists.

His career-best return came in the 2022/23 season, when his six goals and seven assists in 41 League One games helped the Pilgrims win promotion to the Championship.

Mumba went on to notch three goals and three assists in the 2023/24 second-tier campaign, but he hasn't scored since then.

Huddersfield will be eager to see him finally get himself back on the scoresheet, but, as alluded to by Rayner, he has endured a lack of stability at the Accu Stadium so far.

Once Mumba enjoys a more settled environment in West Yorkshire next season, it should help him improve in the final third.