Paul Mullin against Birmingham. Photo courtesy of Paul Mullin.
Cambridge United, playing in League Two, have kicked off this season really well. They’re sitting second with three wins and a draw from five matches, and a big part of their good form is striker Paul Mullin’s performance.
The club made Mullin’s move permanent after he impressed during his loan from Tranmere Rovers last season. At 25 years old, he’s hit six goals in five league games plus another in the EFL Trophy – making his start at Abbey Stadium as a full-time player pretty fantastic. Currently, he leads the League Two scoring charts and was even up for September’s Player of the Month award. When asked why he suddenly started scoring so much, Mullin keeps it simple: “I put it down to hard work and enjoying my football again as the main reasons for the good start.”
Getting regular game time is vital for any footballer, and that’s exactly what Mullin has found at Cambridge. This is quite different from his time at Tranmere where he only started 17 matches over 18 months. Growing up just across the Mersey from Tranmere’s base in Birkenhead, that lack of minutes really took away some of his joy for playing.
“Yeah, it is frustrating. People say your job involves training Monday to Friday, but I see my job as playing on Saturday. If you’re not playing, it can get you down at times for sure.
“In the season we got promoted [2018/2019], James Norwood scored 30 goals that season and we played one up front, so you can’t get too annoyed at it really. The promotion was therefore bittersweet as I didn’t get on the pitch in the playoff final.”
Still, Mullin says he stayed focused and supported his team throughout – which isn’t always what every player does when they’re not picked.
“In terms of the group, I have seen players annoyed before at clubs. I wouldn’t say it would create a divide in the group though as it is the manager that picks the team on a Saturday and not the players. So, when I’m not playing, I will still cheer the boys on from the side.”
After netting two goals against Watford over two FA Cup ties back in January 2020 – something he calls a highlight during an otherwise tough time at Prenton Park – Mullin left home comforts behind to join Cambridge out East Anglia. So far this move has gone really well both on and off the pitch. He quickly built a strong bond with manager Mark Bonner and teammates alike.
“I joined Cambridge to really enjoy my football again and so far, I have, and I get to see my little boy and my family pretty regularly, so it is fine really. Mark Bonner is level-headed. He is at the start of his career managerial wise; he has got ambition to do well like we do as a squad. Recruitment is important and the club have recruited the right kind of players this season which bodes well.
“While it was difficult this year for group days out in preseason, we bonded quickly and are a tight-knit group and work hard for each other. We socialise a lot outside of the game, playing golf which is good. It just comes naturally.”
This summer Cambridge brought in Wes Hoolahan too – former Premier League player and Republic of Ireland international midfielder now aged 38 – who’s already made an impact with two assists linking up with Mullin this term alone. Although teammates now they once faced each other back in 2017 during a Carabao Cup match where Norwich City beat Swindon Town 3-2 (Mullin’s then team).
“I was chatting to Wes when he arrived about that match and I didn’t think he would remember it, but he did. He scored that game I think [He did, and provided an assist for James Maddison, though Mullin modestly does not mention that he too found the net.] I remember him putting four players on the floor which just shows his ability.
“He is just a normal guy like everyone else. He’ll give me little bits that he wants me to do on the pitch, but I’ll tell him stuff back too, such as where I like the ball played. As a forward, it is great to have someone like him in the team and it shows where we can go with players like him in the squad.”
No Fans In The Stands
With no fans allowed back yet across stadiums throughout England’s Football League system due to current restrictions, matches feel different these days without supporters cheering live.
That means having leaders like Hoolahan on field becomes even more important because they help keep energy high among teammates. The lack of crowds might affect how some players perform or how teams fare overall this campaign. In lightofthisand Cambridge’stargets, Mullinis very clear about what needs doing despite missing fans:
“When you are one up with twenty minutes to go or so that’s when you needthefans topushyouforwardso yeah, I missit. Whenthegamestartsthough, Iaminth ezonejustfocusingonthegame, s oitdoesn’taffectmethatmuch. Wehavesaidasagroupwhoevercop eswithoutthefanswillbeinagoodplaceattheendoftheseason. Theaimforanyprofessionalispromotion.”
Cambridgehaven’tbeeninthethirdtierof Englishfootballsincefinishingbottomoftheth en Division Twoin2001/02. Backthen, Cambridgedidn’twinawayallseason, buta Mullinhattrickagainst Morecambeinmatchdaytwomeansthatboxhasalreadybeenticked, andinthismostremarkableseasonwhocanblamehimandhisteammatesforthinkinganythingispossible.
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