Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher has thanked Norwich City for the role they played in helping them secure a result at rivals Ipswich Town this afternoon.
The first part of Norwich’s helping hand saw loanee Bali Mumba score a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time at Portman Road, cancelling out Wes Burns’ opener as the League One leaders battled back to draw.
But Schumacher also revealed after the game that Plymouth had trained at the Canaries’ training ground in the lead-up to the contest, after the Argyle team had flown into Norwich airport.
“The club (Plymouth) helped us out and thankfully we got some money off the board and flew, because eight hours on a coach isn’t ideal for the players ahead of such a big game.
“We flew to Norwich and trained there so we appreciate them letting us use their training ground ahead of a really hard game.
“We are getting a relationship with Norwich. We got Bali (Mumba) off them (on loan) and we’ve signed Saxon Earley too. We keep in contact with them because they always produce good players.
“We have a good relationship with Stuart Webber (sporting director) and the loans manager, Neil Adams, so they let us (use the training ground).
“We had this planned a while ago, when Dean Smith was still in charge. We met David Wagner yesterday and he was really welcoming, which was good.
“Obviously they are Ipswich Town’s big rivals so we had better change the subject. But we appreciate it because it’s helped us.
“We would do the same if it was the other way around but I don’t think they play anyone near us.”
Discussing Mumba, who could still be recalled by the Canaries this month but has now scored twice against Town this season, Schumacher said: “That shows the quality he has got. Especially going forward.
“He still makes mistakes, like you’ve seen when he’s put us under mad pressure trying to do a skill on the byline, putting out for a corner.
“But he’s a young player and young players do occasionally. I’ll never give him stick for that.
“He’s got loads to learn defensively but he has so much ability going forward. He’s done it before against Ipswich and I’m sure the Norwich City fans will be delighted he’s managed to score two goals against them this season.”
Discussing the game, Schumacher insisted his side deserved to take at least a point, which sees them remain seven clear of Town in third and three ahead of Sheffield Wednesday in second.
“I really enjoyed it and, when we spoke about this game, we were excited for it because we are two teams whose styles match.
“The game earlier in the season (2-1 Plymouth win at Home Park) was great and we expected something similar here. I'm glad the players showed the courage we asked them to and were aggressive, positive and on the front foot against a really strong Ipswich team.
“I’m pleased we got something from the game, which I felt we more than deserved.
“A lot of teams come to Portman Road, sit in and try to be compact, but eventually they break you down and you get beat. So we thought the best thing for us was to take them on, on the front foot, man for man and force them into mistakes. They we want to take the ball and create opportunities.
“I thought we did that but, if I’m being ultra-critical about my team, I think we could have played a few shorter passes to open things up. That’s picking, though.
“Our attitude was great and we didn’t let a great finish from (Wes) Burns get us and we kept going and eventually got what we deserved.
“Our fans were amazing and I thought the Ipswich Town fans were great as well, so it was a really good occasion.”
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