Michael Obafemi F Plymouth Argyle (loan from Burnley) b.2000

[paul_oshea]

Sounds a bit like Richard dunne

[seanfhear]

Sounds a bit like Richard dunne
Dune done good in the long run.

[sadloserkid]

Dune done good in the long run.

The new remake is supposed to be way better than the last one alright.

[third policeman]

He is obviously a problematic guy. I would say he wont be picked for ireland again

A bit early for that judgement. Pity that three of our 4 young PL strikers of two years ago, have question marks around attitude. Let’s hope they mature and realise their obvious potential.

[samhaydenjr]

Surprised this wasn't mentioned yet, but Obafemi got his second for Swansea yesterday against Blackburn and it was the only goal of the game: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60178656 - manning got sent off on 53 minutes and Obafemi got taken off a couple of minutes later as Swansea clung on - based on the highlights, still had all the positive attributes I've noticed in him earlier - good lay-offs, an eye for a key pass and a decent headed finish on the stretch. Has mostly been a sub at Swansea but has started a couple of games and right away has scored. Far from being written off, I think he should be given a chance to build on the 10 minutes of international time he got two managers ago and soon

[liamoo11]

Surprised this wasn't mentioned yet, but Obafemi got his second for Swansea yesterday against Blackburn and it was the only goal of the game: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60178656 - manning got sent off on 53 minutes and Obafemi got taken off a couple of minutes later as Swansea clung on - based on the highlights, still had all the positive attributes I've noticed in him earlier - good lay-offs, an eye for a key pass and a decent headed finish on the stretch. Has mostly been a sub at Swansea but has started a couple of games and right away has scored. Far from being written off, I think he should be given a chance to build on the 10 minutes of international time he got two managers ago and soon

Agree totally Kenny needs to show good man management and bring obafemi in to the march squad with Collins dropping out

[Razors left peg]

Agree totally Kenny needs to show good man management and bring obafemi in to the march squad with Collins dropping out

Steady on.... Hes generally been crap since going to Swansea. IF, the goal at the weekend is a start for him where he kicks on and is good over the next couple of months then maybe we can talk about him getting called up.

I think Collins is done, but even though Ive said elsewhere that I dont rate Hogan at all, he would be well ahead of Obafemi at this point.

[SkStu]

Two in a row for Obafemi now. Really good to see. Assist from Billy Ray too.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Good!!

[third policeman]

Could still turn out to be the best option from that cohort of strikers if he can sort himself out. Real pace and an eye for goal.

[tommy_c12000]

Great to see. Liam Manning commentating on his work ethic and his current physical conditioning, best shape he has seen Michael in. Perhaps he has matured and has turned the corner. Let’s hope he pushes on for a strong end to the season along with Connolly, Parrott and Idah

[Trequartista20]

Swansea's best player according to this:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joyous-swansea-city-player-ratings-23083243

As much as I'd probably have Hogan over Collins in the context of the next Ireland squad, I'd of course have a fully-fit, in-form Obafemi over both.

Let's hope he can stay in the team and continue playing well and scoring.

[samhaydenjr]

So how about this for a forward list for the March friendlies? Robinson, Idah, Connolly and Obafemi plus one from Hogan and Keane. Obafemi has got to get some significant game time - he's proven in the last few weeks that he can be a serious weapon, but he's only got ten minutes of international playing time under his belt - time to give him a proper shot

[Diggs246]

Unfortunately I think kenny won't go near him. He was scoring in the Premier league and not picked
If memory serves in kennys first squad and he had a petulant reaction on twitter

[liamoo11]

Unfortunately I think kenny won't go near him. He was scoring in the Premier league and not picked
If memory serves in kennys first squad and he had a petulant reaction on twitter
The excuse was he liked to play in a 2 and we were playing with just 1 up top and 2 wingers at that stage. Obviously now we are playing 532 because of Barry s influence so that doesn't stack up as an excuse.

[liamoo11]

Great to see. Liam Manning commentating on his work ethic and his current physical conditioning, best shape he has seen Michael in. Perhaps he has matured and has turned the corner. Let’s hope he pushes on for a strong end to the season along with Connolly, Parrott and Idah

Liam manning should have enough on his plate developing parrott and Coventry for us without worrying too much about what obafemi is eating down in Swansea!

[elatedscum]

the goal today illustrated pretty well both obafemi's strengths and weaknesses. the move begins with him making a good run for the centre half on the ball. if the centre half hits a ball into space, he's in. instead the ball is played into his feet, maybe under hit. he turns and tries to burst into the space but he takes a pretty awful touch which pushes him away from goal and straight towards a covering defender who duly clears it. it's pretty awful and he'll often look terrible like that. you'll watch a game or a portion of a game and he looks like the worst player on the pitch, as if he can't handle the level (as he often was for ireland u21s). the second part of the move is the opposite. the ball is cleared to the right side of the pitch where cyrus christie picks it up. obafemi shows good movement and awareness and pace as he ghosts in at the back post. the finish isn't hard but the key how he gets there and basically beats two defenders who should be in a better position than him to get to the ball

i can see why kenny would include him but i can also see why he'd be left out. he's only started 5 league games this season for swansea and one cup game. he's clocked up about 800 mins of football across the season and scored 3 goals, which isn't electric. Scott Hogan who has scored 10 in the same league is perhaps competing for the same squad. probably another month until the squad is announced. if fit, i'd expect idah and robinson are sure things. then the likes of connolly, parrott, obafemi, keane, hogan and collins are pushing for 2 places.

[elatedscum]

2 more goals so far today. Looking more and more likely to receive a call up

[tommy_c12000]

Playing regularly in the championship, scoring goals and delivering assists. He’s working hard, clearly has matured and is still only 21. A call up is a no brainer, especially with Idah out. We don’t have much else, Connolly has shown flashes but has overall been disappointing with Middlesborough so far. No need to succumb to league one level (apart from Parrott of course, who has redeemed himself!)

[third policeman]

2 more goals so far today. Looking more and more likely to receive a call up

Certainly hope so, just hope that Kenny doesn’t have one of those stubborn streaks that seem to afflict Irish managers when it comes to certain selections.

[liamoo11]

Certainly hope so, just hope that Kenny doesn’t have one of those stubborn streaks that seem to afflict Irish managers when it comes to certain selections.

Well said

[Diggs246]

I will be pleasantly surprised if he is picked

[tommy_c12000]

Liam manning should have enough on his plate developing parrott and Coventry for us without worrying too much about what obafemi is eating down in Swansea!

True! Had Liam Manning on my brain for some reason! With Russel Martins MK Dons history I guess!

[tommy_c12000]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cT1_nFbIuh4 Goals and assist here. Solid outing. We don’t have a lot else happening up front right now so he should be involved in March for sure. I hope there’s no small mindedness from Kenny. Let’s see what Obafemi can do, he has a long way to go but today was promising

[samhaydenjr]

Yeah, four goals in six indicate that he's hit his stride at Swansea - over the last half-dozen games, apart from Mitrovic, he's the form striker in the Championship. His previous goals have shown him to have good fox-in-the-box instincts plus one worldie against Chelsea. But these two goals show what a weapon his pace can be as well as indicating that he is comfortable when he's clean through. He definitely needs to be given time in March, particularly with the uncertainty over some of the NL fixtures.

[sadloserkid]

There should be no way he's not selected for the next squad. If there's an issue there Kenny needs to build a bridge. When you compare Obafemi's current form to the bulk of the rest of our options, mostly slogging away in the Championship or playing the division below... surely a no brainer?

[third policeman]

There should be no way he's not selected for the next squad. If there's an issue there Kenny needs to build a bridge. When you compare Obafemi's current form to the bulk of the rest of our options, mostly slogging away in the Championship or playing the division below... surely a no brainer?

Initially Kenny talked about him not fitting into. 433 formation, well we haven’t been playing that formation in recent games in any case. In terms of finding an identity and competitive edge, the one thing we are beginning to develop with some established and emerging players is pace. Obafemi has that along with an ability to finish.

[Jd2793]

yeah good point, with the switch of formations if we decide to go 3-4-1-2 obafemi would be a good foil for someone like idah. his pace in behind would be invaluable. interesting to see will kenny call him up.

[Yard of Pace]

After watching the highlights, Kenny would be insane not to call him up.

Also worth watching is Obafemi's short interview on Youtube with Swansea's YT channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1TN-_jEWFA

I remember watching an interview with Robbie Keane when he was just breaking through (Who are you playing next week, Robbie?" "I dunno....but I'll probably score against 'em!!") and Obafemi reminded me of that. He's fit, happy, clearly matured a lot, he's confident, can finish, scores goals. Fantastic stuff.

[Diggs246]

Is the squad announced next week?

[Eirambler]

It will be another two weeks yet I'd say.

[Exgrad]

It will be another two weeks yet I'd say.

Long enough for Obafemi to get injured...

[tommy_c12000]

Goals here https://twitter.com/theswanportal/status/1504237071841599490?s=21

Starting and scoring regularly in the championship, and still only 21. Needs to be given a chance

[liamoo11]

Great timing forces kenny to bring him in when squad is announced to get him back on the fold.

[samhaydenjr]

Got to be in the next squad - he was the first of this crop of young strikers to break through and now, after a bit of a wait, he's the first one to put together an actual run of goalscoring form - and he only has ten minutes of international football under his belt. Time to give him a proper shot. I mean, what are we waiting for? Particularly with the Nations League campaign looking like it could be truncated, this could be the best time to get him blooded in before the Euro 24 qualifiers

[Stuttgart88]

Hard to ignore now especially as the U21s option is closed off.

[jbyrne]

Hard to ignore now especially as the U21s option is closed off.

agree but if the 21s felt free to call him up (only for him to decline the call up) then cant help but thinking he isnt currently in the senior teams plans

[Eirambler]

That's not what happened. The discussion between Crawford and Obafemi was months ago before a previous squad. He was only asked about it this week. Crawford left it that the door was open and Obafemi could call him if he changed his mind, but he understands why he would want to hold out for the seniors given his ability level.

So there was no direct intent to call him to the Under 21s this week, other than that the door generally remains open if he is not with the seniors. Obafemi, I think, knows as well as anyone that he should be with the seniors so will not be taking up the Under 21 option.

[Trequartista20]

That's not what happened. The discussion between Crawford and Obafemi was months ago before a previous squad. He was only asked about it this week. Crawford left it that the door was open and Obafemi could call him if he changed his mind, but he understands why he would want to hold out for the seniors given his ability level.

So there was no direct intent to call him to the Under 21s this week, other than that the door generally remains open if he is not with the seniors. Obafemi, I think, knows as well as anyone that he should be with the seniors so will not be taking up the Under 21 option.

Which all sounds entirely reasonable.

[ontheotherhand]

That's one interpretation of fairly poor reporting from what I've seen but if it's true it's even less reasonable than him refusing a call up this week. The last squad would have been for the last Italy and Sweden games in November I think? He was struggling at Swansea at the time so it doesn't look great if he was afforded the option to play with the 21s and said no. Kilkenny was doing well in the Championship at that time and people wanted him in the senior set up. He was happy to play in the 21s when asked to though. Maybe I have the dates wrong though? Has he been offered a place on any squad during this little purple patch?

If he refused this week it's maybe more reasonable given he's finally found a bit of form but....I'm not even sure of that.

[Diggs246]

I hope I'm wrong, but i don't think kenny will pick him.

[third policeman]

Two more goals today. Whatever the issue is around his non-inclusion in the squad, it needs resolving. Our most productive striker playing at the highest level.

[tommy_c12000]

This is the striker we need

Goal 1: https://twitter.com/rowan__04/status/1510269900400562188?s=21&t=m3iAxLpCMzp7tsMzYqmXmA
Goal 2: https://twitter.com/lsully7/status/1510281692724043777?s=21&t=m3iAxLpCMzp7tsMzYqmXmA

[Jd2793]

good to see, hope those hammys stay healthy. he'd be an excellent option once fit and playing regularly. dont have any player with his profile up front.

[Trequartista20]

I accept that Obafemi has had injury problems that he needs to manage, but if the issue really is a personal one between Kenny and Obafemi, as some would suggest, then it needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.

That being said, having heard what Stephen Kenny had to say on the matter to the media, I really don't believe he's at fault on this issue and has done everything he could reasonably have been expected to have done to have secured Michael's involvement in the squad for the recent friendlies.

[third policeman]

I accept that Obafemi has had injury problems that he needs to manage, but if the issue really is a personal one between Kenny and Obafemi, as some would suggest, then it needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.

That being said, having heard what Stephen Kenny had to say on the matter to the media, I really don't believe he's at fault on this issue and has done everything he could reasonably have been expected to have done to have secured Michael's involvement in the squad for the recent friendlies.

We don’t really know the ins and outs, but I suspect the damage was done a while ago when Obafemi was left out and Kenny made some comments about him not fitting in to a 443 system. It just didn’t ring true, about protecting the hamstrings. Let’s hope it gets resolved, he’s beginning to look like the best of the young striker crop.

[ontheotherhand]

Given O'Neill and Martin have also had to make some interesting comments about Obafemi and selection I'd guess the issues lie more with the player than any manager he's had so far. His social media activity and refusal to play for the 21s while out of form at club level would indicate an attitude that needs some time to mature I'd think.

A front three of himself, Robinson and Ogbene would be a handful so let's hope his form and fitness continues and he proves he is really committed to Ireland by taking his next call up.

[Diggs246]

Im glad Nigeria didn't qualify for the WC
No temptation to defect and play in Qatar

[JR89]

Unless the three years since last appearing for your country only counts for senior appearances then he last played for the U21s only 16/17 months ago.

[Olé Olé]

I think Kenny and his club manager have been quite clear that the lad wants to play with Ireland and is trying to get a sustained run at club level. I think skepticism isn't unfounded but maybe unnecessary for now. Hopefully he's back in June and ready to go and that sounds like the plan.