Swansea City drew Southampton in the FA Cup last night and that tiny bit of fortune could well give Michael Obafemi the boost he needs in his Swansea career. The early January tie pitches his old club against his new one in the FA Cup third round.
It hasn’t been the best of times, in fact at times it’s probably been the worst of times for Republic of Ireland international Michael Obafemi. Signed by the swans after six months of patience and what can only be described as ‘risky’ due diligence he may well have thought coming to west Wales was going to be a bit of a cake walk. Of course as we know that wasn’t the case. After recovery from a pretty serious injury which he suffered on deadline day eve in January, which scuppered a loan to Swansea City, he materialised some seven months later as a permanent signing. At 1.75 million it wasn’t a cheap shot either, but Andy Scott, then head off recruitment at the swans, who departed the club last Thursday morning convinced the club to finance the deal.
Not too many swans fans were overwhelmed by the signing, a player who has failed to settle at Watford, Chelsea and Arsenal as a young player, he eventually found a home on the south coast at Southampton, His thirty plus premier league appearances displayed a keen and pacey striker but he fell out of favour under several managers. When the swans signed him on a lucrative £10,000 a week salary it seemed he would become the clubs first choice striker. However, Steve Cooper’s insistence that Swansea look at Joel Piroe, then at PSV in Holland meant Michael’s competition for top spot had dramatically increased in temperature. Already known for his belligerence at times at the saints it quickly became apparent his expectations had to be, let’s say ‘ managed’ by new manager Russell Martin.
Obafemi has struggled since his arrival at Swansea, his effort in training, time keeping and general attitude didn’t endear him to the new Swansea City coaching team. In fact in recent times it has meant he has been dropped on two occasions from the first team squad. Martin has publicly defended his decisions to exclude him from the squad citing his lack of
‘specific’ endeavour to ‘buy in’ to the group philosophy which also saw Joel Piroe dropped at the start of the season. Whereas Piroe has blossomed under Martin since then Obafemi has struggled for a number of weeks with the training ethos and ‘group’ mentality of the Russell Martin training regime. This means players have to lose their self entitlement as individuals, and work for the club and the squad as a unit. Michael has found this hard. Especially during group feedback sessions and personal one to one dialogue with Russell Martin.
All of which we have documented and continue to do so since his arrival at the club.
However, since Obafemi’s inclusion in the match day squad at Middlesbrough, despite a lacklustre substitute appearance at the Riverside it seems his work ethic and determination has improved. So much so he will be included again in Saturdays squad against Nottingham Forest. This is great news for swans fans who in the main have been very keen to see Michael feature more for Swansea City and display the promise he came to Wales with. His pace is something which would most certainly concern the majority of Championship defences, he just needs to focus and look positively on what still could be a successful career.
It’s unlikely Obafemi will start any games before the end of the year, that is if first pick Joel Piroe remains injury free, so he must now be focussed on a perfect storm in early January. The swans being drawn at home couldn’t have been a better fillip for Michael who most certainly could easily start this FA Cup game. It gives him a clear incentive to prove his growing army of doubters wrong, and he does have them. He will get opportunities before this game, more than likely off the bench, but we believe he will most certainly start the cup game against the saints with a point to prove.
It could easily kick start his career at the swans after almost a year now of frustration and rehabilitation. If that happens he won’t find more happier supporters of the club than us here at Swansea Independent. Michael Obafemi does need a chance, and he does need to be given an opportunity to take it. He has the talent, the pace and the skill to open up the Championship for Swansea City. Now it’s time to show us all what Michael Obafemi is all about.
The talking has to stop at some point, and that point is fast approaching,