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

[Fizzer]

Hah yeah Sam, now you mention it, it does look like a bit of a jig.I agree on the finish, he’s made something that’s really hard to execute look easy/lucky.Most players are skying that chance.
Given your excellent history of identifying the players who’ll make it, I hope you’re wrong on this one Tommy. The ‘lack of professionalism’ stuff seems to have originated with Hasenhuttl so must be based on something, but I would say it’s hard to put an old head on young shoulders. As a counter to that, he has bags of natural ability and in all honesty I’d much rather have a team full of naturally brilliant messers than consummate professionals.Robbie was criticised throughout his career for contributing goals and not much more so I’d be fine with Obafemi losing the ball now and again if he can score goals for us.We’ve plenty of lads who can hold up the ball.

[samhaydenjr]

Sounds like you were watching NBC where the co-commentator described him hitting the ball into the ground first and was very lucky. I didn’t see that, thought it was an excellent side foot finish curling high away from keeper.

Overall, Obafemi was very poor again today, goal apart, as I said in Smallbone thread. He has impressed me less and less as season has gone on, his link up play and ball protection has deteriorated and he looks unfit. For me, it is still very much touch and go whether he makes it consistently as a premier league striker, consider in his publicized “lack of professionalism” and I become even more pessimistic. He should be happy with an under 21 place in a few weeks, and try to impress at this level.

Long was also poor today, but he deserves to be a stop gap measure for playoffs, but can’t see him playing with us beyond this summer. Agree Hogan should be on the bench given current form for playoffs.

I agree he wasn't at his best yesterday, although with limited supply against a well-marshalled West ham defense and he never really got a chance to run at them - his hold-up play is usually very good so I wouldn't dismiss him on the basis of one below-par game, where he actually scored.

Regarding the "lack of professionalism" comment from Hassenhuttl, I thought it was an odd thing to say as he prefaced it by praising Obafemi's ability and workrate in training. But it did come just after Obafemi had complained publicly that he wasn't getting enough time on the pitch, so perhaps Hassenhuttl was just telling him to keep his thoughts on team selection in-house. If so, it's not a major issue.

[Diggs246]

I agree he wasn't at his best yesterday, although with limited supply against a well-marshalled West ham defense and he never really got a chance to run at them - his hold-up play is usually very good so I wouldn't dismiss him on the basis of one below-par game, where he actually scored.

Regarding the "lack of professionalism" comment from Hassenhuttl, I thought it was an odd thing to say as he prefaced it by praising Obafemi's ability and workrate in training. But it did come just after Obafemi had complained publicly that he wasn't getting enough time on the pitch, so perhaps Hassenhuttl was just telling him to keep his thoughts on team selection in-house. If so, it's not a major issue.

I'm pretty sure its his diet which is his issue

[tetsujin1979]

Vote early, vote often for Obafemi in Tuttosport's annual Golden Boy awards: https://www.tuttosport.com/sondaggi/calcio/golden-boy/2020/06/15-70739285/vota_il_golden_boy_2020_le_100_nomination/

[Olé Olé]

Very strange the reference to the nationalities in there. I would say that it is a funny one to refer to Ethan Ampadu as Welsh- Ghanaian. His father was born to an Irish mother and Ghanaian father in England and grew up in Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

That's not even half as strange as his middle name

[Fixer82]

Vote early, vote often for Obafemi in Tuttosport's annual Golden Boy awards: https://www.tuttosport.com/sondaggi/calcio/golden-boy/2020/06/15-70739285/vota_il_golden_boy_2020_le_100_nomination/

Wha is the Golden Boy? never heard of it before

[tetsujin1979]

Wha is the Golden Boy? never heard of it before

Honestly hadn't heard of it before today myself, but it's been around for a while - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Boy_(award)

[samhaydenjr]

Honestly hadn't heard of it before today myself, but it's been around for a while - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Boy_(award)

Wow, if he won, he'd be in rarefied company - in all likelihood, it's got to be Erling Braut Haland

[Eirambler]

More public criticism/encouragement of Obafemi from the Southampton manager.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18551732.amp/

[gally]

Obafemi joins Long, Smallbone and Will Ferry on the bench tonight.

[seanfhear]

If Ferry, Long, Smallbone were brought on as there simultaneous substitutes in that Order, a Chinese Commentator could be quite entertaining ! ! !

[Diggs246]

Last minute equaliser against man u

[Olé Olé]

Scored a late equalizer at Old Trafford. A deft flick from the closest of ranges. 2-2. He was interviewed by Sky post match and he could barely keep the smile in. Seems a great lad n

[Razors left peg]

Scored a late equalizer at Old Trafford. A deft flick from the closest of ranges. 2-2. He was interviewed by Sky post match and he could barely keep the smile in. Seems a great lad n

As a United fan its the one time I wasnt delighted a young Irish lad scored

[Diggs246]

Scored a late equalizer at Old Trafford. A deft flick from the closest of ranges. 2-2. He was interviewed by Sky post match and he could barely keep the smile in. Seems a great lad n

Any link for his goal welcome

[Olé Olé]

Any link for his goal welcome

1282785434343538689

[DeLorean]

Interview -
1282785190885064708

[Diggs246]

https://twitter.com/YouBoysInGreen/status/1282785434343538689?s=19

Thanks

[samhaydenjr]

Terrific stuff after McGoldrick's Brace and Egan's goals! I thought initially he had just got a touch on a ball that was already going in but the replay showed that is was a really well-taken goal after using his body well to get in front of the defender

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not sure I saw it correctly but it looked a bit martial arts like in the way he back kicked it. Good on him.

In youngirish's (excellent) thread on "out with the old..." Obafemi was commented on. YI reckoned he's worth a call up. Eirambler thinks U21s. I gotta admit I was more with Eirambler as I have tried to see what's so good about him in the few times I've seen him, and Lords knows how naturally disposed I am to seeing the good in our young players. But their manager knows way more than me and I'd trust his judgment. He is holding his own at an increasingly impressive club and that's a big thing for a lad of his age.

[youngirish]

I'm not sure I saw it correctly but it looked a bit martial arts like in the way he back kicked it. Good on him.

In youngirish's (excellent) thread on "out with the old..." Obafemi was commented on. YI reckoned he's worth a call up. Eirambler thinks U21s. I gotta admit I was more with Eirambler as I have tried to see what's so good about him in the few times I've seen him, and Lords knows how naturally disposed I am to seeing the good in our young players. But their manager knows way more than me and I'd trust his judgment. He is holding his own at an increasingly impressive club and that's a big thing for a lad of his age.

My attitude is more so if he gets a few more games and a goal or 2 between now and the Nation League games then he surely warrants a place in the squad more than Robinson, Maguire, Collins and possibly Long (providing their form continues along the current trajectory).

I look at it this way, Obafemi may be capable of making the step up to International level. Collins and Maguire look increasingly like it is a step beyond their abilities. Robinson, whilst talented is going backwards at club level and Long, once a decent option from the bench is in the twilight of his career. What have we got to lose?

[Stuttgart88]

I'd probably agree with that but I'm really looking forward to seeing Long back in the frame. I think we missed him in the last campaign. I also think everyone you mention above deserves another look at some stage, even Collins, as I just had no confidence any of our recent managers really knew what they were trying to do with these players.

I am trying to second guess Kenny here but I'd say Connolly, Long and McGoldrick will be in his first starting XI.

[paul_oshea]

Poor defending from lindelof on the replays he's too weak but obafemi did well to get in front originally

[seanfhear]

Poor defending from lindelof on the replays he's too weak but obafemi did well to get in front originally
That might have been the few extra Mars Bars ! He is a chunky lad, Big boned for a small fella. Joking aside he might be a fella that has to watch the weight like myself ! !

[Stuttgart88]

Poor defending from lindelof on the replays he's too weak but obafemi did well to get in front originallydamned with faint praise.

[Diggs246]

That might have been the few extra Mars Bars ! He is a chunky lad, Big boned for a small fella. Joking aside he might be a fella that has to watch the weight like myself ! !

My understand is that's actually the issue his manager has with his professionalism, its his diet ..... A devil for the burgers

[geysir]

I'd probably agree with that but I'm really looking forward to seeing Long back in the frame. I think we missed him in the last campaign. I also think everyone you mention above deserves another look at some stage, even Collins, as I just had no confidence any of our recent managers really knew what they were trying to do with these players.

I am trying to second guess Kenny here but I'd say Connolly, Long and McGoldrick will be in his first starting XI.

I think there are players ahead of Obafemi and experience has currency.
It's not worth a bun fight just yet, but could you see Kenny playing those 3 together (Connolly, Long and McGoldrick) in the away play off?
That would be in a 433?
I'd say Connolly on the inside left and McGoldrick or Long up front.

[Eirambler]

I think that line up could work well together. I think McClean will still be in the mix and Callum Robinson as well depending on where and how he starts next season. Unless Obafemi becomes more consistent in the next couple of months I think he'll be in the under 21s.

[Olé Olé]

He is inconsistent. Too inconsistent for international football. He's showing plenty glimpses so we definitely have a prospect on our hands and I have no doubt he will be very good for many years.

This short off-season might actually be great for him. His commitment had been questioned by both him and his manager. He won't have time to erode his fitness levels before he's back into pre-season.

Maybe he will be on a prolonged roll come September!

It is funny when you think about how much can and will happen between now and Kenny's first game. Will Molumby and Cullen, for example, have a handful of impressive Premier League to catapult them into the starting line up? Does Idah rip up the Championship for a few weeks?

It feels like forever away but the pubs opening in Ireland will mark the half way point between now and the Bulgaria game!

[DeLorean]

He is inconsistent. Too inconsistent for international football. He's showing plenty glimpses so we definitely have a prospect on our hands and I have no doubt he will be very good for many years.

I don't think he's even played enough to be labelled inconsistent. More often than not he's come on as a sub in the final 10/20 minutes.

[Eirambler]

Hooked at half time tonight. Not sure it was the right call though, I think he would have scored from one or two chances that his replacement, Che Adams, passed up in the second half.

Not the best of nights for our Premier League forwards with Obafemi and McGoldrick both subbed off at half time and Connolly and Long left unused on the bench.

[samhaydenjr]

I thought he did OK with limited service - maybe a little untidy at times but did pick out three nice key passes (two setting up shots that were blocked). Unlucky that Southampton really only came to life in the second half. Also I think he will play second fiddle to Ings in his teammates' minds when deciding who to set up chances for, which I guess is natural. At least Hassenhuttl is giving him a shot to compete with Adams for the place. Note - Adams is 24, cost 15m, and has scored one goal in 33 appearances this season, while Obafemi has only just turned 20, came through the youth academy, and has scored four times in 23 appearances. Hopefully he can build on this and really establish himself as a Premier League striker next season.

[tetsujin1979]

On as a late substitute today, still had time to assist the second goal in Southampton's 2-0 win

[samhaydenjr]

On as a late substitute today, still had time to assist the second goal in Southampton's 2-0 win

Yeah, came on for what seemed like a clock-running-down substitution - two minutes later, cleverly finds space in the box and plays a crisp, accurate pass to set up a goal - only problem being that it was to the player he's probably in competition with for a place!
As regards Obafemi's goalscoring ability, I mentioned previously that I thought four goals in his 22 appearances was a reasonable return for a 20-year-old in his first full season. But it looks even better when you consider that he has only played 886 minutes in all competitions this season, so he's actually nabbed four in fewer than ten full games (https://int.soccerway.com/players/michael-obafemi/453438/). I've watched a fair few of his games this season and I actually don't remember him missing any clear-cut opportunities so it looks like he does take chances when he gets them, he just doesn't get many chances, which is probably an understandable result of having Danny Ings as the recognized main striker for The Saints

[tetsujin1979]

1284869743883759620

[Eirambler]

Aston Villa and West Brom both linked to "£10m rated Michael Obafemi".

Did not see that one coming. Possibly Southampton think his current stock is higher than it should be and looking to cash in?

[Diggs246]

Stay where u are mate. Great manager who rates u

[CraftyToePoke]

Stay where u are mate. Great manager who rates u

If he's available its because that manager is OK with it. Hopefully he's not.

[Diggs246]

Players get sold all the time against the wishes of the manager

[Olé Olé]

Long, Ings and Adams are their other forwards. They have been badly burnt signing some forwards the last couple of years and still have Guido Carillo to shift.

If they sold Obafemi they would be selling a guy with potential and they would probably need to replace him. So they would be selling a lot of upside risk with little downside to replace it with someone that could go either way. Plus, the new guy would surely be Fourth in line unless they spent more than the 10m they got for Obafemi.

Unless he pushes for the move, I just can't see this one happening.

[tetsujin1979]

Playing for Southampton's U23 side this afternoon against Blackburn Rovers, with Will Ferry in midfield. Has to be seen as a demotion for Obafemi
1317797604823097344

[tommy_c12000]

Im surprised he wasn’t loaned out tbh with Walcotts arrival, a solid season in a lower division would have been more beneficial rather than these constant minor bit part premier league outings (which haven’t been occurring much this season in any case...).

[Olé Olé]

Well he's been sent off in that game in injury time.

[tommy_c12000]

Jesus, poor guy is on a downward trajectory. Hopefully he has good people around him to get back on the saddle

[passinginterest]

https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2020-10-18/b-team-report-southampton-fc-vs-blackburn-rovers-premier-league-2-2020-21

Sounds like he was very involved and the first team manager was there to watch. A shame not to get a goal and a sending off for violent conduct is never really a good look.

[paul_oshea]

Who's Connor McBride?

[Razors left peg]

Who's Connor McBride?

Scottish, signed from Celtic

[Exgrad]

Does his red card suspension at u23 level carry over to 1st team as well, does anyone know? Not in panel today, or recently.

[Trequartista20]

Does his red card suspension at u23 level carry over to 1st team as well, does anyone know? Not in panel today, or recently.

N'Lundulu on the bench ahead of him which would be surprising if Obafemi were available.