Divin Mubama is struggling for minutes at Saints (Image: Stuart Martin)
Divin Mubama is struggling for minutes at Saints (Image: Stuart Martin)
IT'S fair to suggest that Divin Mubama's loan spell at Saints from Manchester City hasn't gone to plan so far.
After a dream home debut which saw the young striker put his new team ahead late on against his old one, Stoke City, first impressions were positive.
Fast forward a little over two months and Mubama, who turned 22 on Sunday, is struggling to get anything more than a brief cameo.
Since coming on in the 62nd minute in the 1-1 draw at Lincoln City last month, the Man City loanee hasn't been introduced into a game earlier than the 78th, a spell of seven matches. In two of those who didn't get put on at all.
When brought on in the 78th minute against Bristol City by Tonda Eckert, the 22 year old had enough time to register an assist. Subsequently, he actually boasts one of the best minutes per goal contribution ratios in the division.
Divin Mubama scored on his home debut for Saints (Image: Stuart Martin)
That afternoon at Lincoln has proven to be a turning point as Mubama ultimately failed in his task of giving Saints an outlet up the pitch.
As Lincoln cranked up the pressure seeking an equaliser and the visitors continued to retreat, he seemed to repel the ball every time Saints went long up to him; it wouldn't stick.
Cyle Larin's form between August and September obviously kept his fellow strikers out of the side but it was obvious in some matches that, in an ideal scenario, the Canadian would be substituted 10 or so minutes earlier.
Larin's recent injury opened up an opportunity for Mubama to make an impact, yet his minutes have remained limited.
In fact, even with Larin being forced off in the first half against Bolton Wanderers and the match staying goalless, Eckert didn't even bring the Man City loanee on.
"It's a hard one today and the decision today is I wanted to, and after 60-70 minutes it's just finding a way to put him on," Eckert said after the Bolton draw when asked why Mubama wasn't introduced.
"I tried and I tried and I tried, and then the game opened up a little bit more at one point where I thought we had control. We had two sixes on the pitch.
"Probably, if I reflect and needed to find a way to put him on, I know that he was ready. I'll take that on me today."
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Instead of Mubama, Lewis Dobbin has been given the nod of late in Larin's place. In his starts against Norwich City and West Ham United, the £9million summer signing was impressive, particularly against the latter.
A long-awaited first goal should encourage the forward to play with more confidence and subsequently hold onto a spot in the team, dependent on the severity of Larin's issue.
Unfortunately for Mubama, the international break was a great opportunity to put a thought into Eckert's head. However, he was away with England under-21s and Dobbin did instead.
The 23 year old is believed to have played up front in a behind closed doors friendly against Aston Villa, from whom Saints bought Dobbin in the summer.
Given that one is their player and the other is a loanee, it is understandable why Dobbin has been first pick of late.
A lot of the time, Saints have been holding onto a lead and bringing on a forward isn't quite what is required to see the match out.
However, there have also been some scenarios of late where it has felt bizarre that Mubama hasn't got on the pitch earlier.
There have been enough glimpses to suggest the young forward is savvy in front of goal, a decent finisher and has the skill to get past defenders. He probably should have more minutes to his name at this point.
Between now and Christmas should prove insightful as to whether the 22 year old will end up providing a memorable contribution in a Saints shirt, or if Man City might start looking at alternative places for minutes in the second half of the season.