Divin Mubama is hoping to use the current injuries at West Ham to pave his way to more first-team minutes.
Fans have been desperate for Mubama to be given his chance to shine this season, especially since Bowen and Antonio have been out injured. While Danny Ings started the match against Burnley, their prayers were answered just after the hour mark when the striker came on and had a huge impact on the game.
Unfortunately, despite what his celebration might have indicated, it wasn’t the East London boy who got a touch on the ball in the 86th minute to put it in Burnley’s net, it was actually am own goal from O’Shea that started the dramatic comeback. It’s not the first time that he’s had a goal taken away from him though, with a goal against FCSB in last year’s Conference League group being put down as an own goal.
“It’s like I like celebrating own-goals!” Mubama joked when speaking to West Ham TV. “If this was a year ago I’d probably stand here and say I touched it. But no, an own-goal is an own-goal unfortunately.”
However, Mubama would be selling himself short if he took no credit for the goal, after all it was his brilliant run and positioning that forced the mistake. “This is what I like to do,” he explained. “Bring energy and put defenders on the back foot. I’ve tried to do that every time I come on. I’ve done that all the way through during my time with the Academy, with my pressing and running.”
“I’ll take a little bit of credit for being in the right place, and also thanks to the gaffer for bringing me on, allowing me to come on and show what I can do. With players unavailable come opportunities in football, and you have to step up and take them, and be ready for them.”
“It was great to come on today, get more minutes and show the boss what I can do.”
One of the issues in West Ham’s contract negotiations with Mubama is that he reportedly wants more playing time, well he has certainly given David Moyes plenty of reason to give into these demands.
“I’m definitely eyeing more minutes,” the Newham boy confirmed. “I’m always buzzing for minutes and being ready because, when I get an opportunity, I want to deliver. I’m looking forward to Thursday.”
Our Irons travel to Serbia this week in a crucial Europa League match against Bačka Topola. Now that Mubama surely has an edge over Ings, it could be a massive game for him to show that he is ready to step up to the next level at West Ham.
By Charlie Bass