Ruth: Mullins looks ready for loan opportunity

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Midfielder stood out for the MU21s in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Burnley.

2024-12-08T11:30+00:00

Jamie Mullins showed his range of passing in difficult conditions against Burnley on Saturday. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Albion’s goalless draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League Cup was played in the most difficult of conditions, but despite the gale-force winds and lashing rain, the performance of skipper Jamie Mullins stood out.

The former Bohemians midfield player made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21s last month and looks ready for a higher grade of football. Two of the team’s best chances to break the deadlock in the 0-0 draw against the Clarets were engineered by the Irish 20-year-old, most notably a first-time pass into the wind to set up Josh Duffus in the first half.

“We’re really pleased with the form Jamie is in,” MU21s head coach Shannon Ruth said. “He’s an important player for the group and he’s certainly ready for a loan in January if there is an opportunity.

“He has shown that he is a level above under-21 football now. It’s about him maintaining his standards and showing anyone who is coming to look at him that he is ready to play League football. We believe he is and he is having a strong season.”

The performances of Yasin Ayari in the Premier League have shown the value of the loan system, even though the Sweden midfielder’s spells at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers last season did not provide as much first-team action as might have been hoped.

Yasin Ayari didn't play as much as he would have liked last season but still benefitted from two loan spells.

“Our loans pathway is something we are really passionate about and Gordon Greer and Sam Baldock do a great job of securing different types of loan and then supporting the players,” Ruth added. “We have lots of different avenues for our young players to go down before they eventually end up back in our first team.

“Jack Hinshelwood and Evan Ferguson went straight into the Premier League side, Andy Moran had some first-team games then went back out on loan. Yasin came in, and then went out before coming back again.

“We’ve shown that there isn’t just one journey. It’s important that the player views it in a positive light and, even if he isn’t always in the team, knows that his experience can be a really good one and they can come back here and use it in a positive way, as Yasin has done.”