‘THE FANS GIVE ME THE CHILLS’
SWANSEA City star Michael Obafemi says the Jack Army support gives him the chills as he opened up on his difficult start to life in South Wales. The young striker signed from Southampton in the summer in a deal worth up to £2 million.
The Republic of Ireland international had been a longstanding target for Swansea, with a loan deal wrecked last January due to an injury he picked up before the paperwork could be sorted.
Swansea returned for him this summer, but unfortunately injury issues followed Obafemi to South Wales, with the 21-year-old having been missing from the first-team squad since the 3-3 draw with Luton earlier in the season.
But hopefully the tide has now turned.
Named on the bench against Birmingham City, he was introduced in the second half and grabbed the equaliser for Russell Martin’s side.
The Blues went on to find a winner at St Andrew’s and although there will have been disappointment for Obafemi, the fact he is back on the field will have been a tremendous boost for the forward, who has had a tough few months.
“It feels amazing to score my first goal for the club, it was a long time coming,” he said.
“That was a nice feeling, but it’s just disappointing that we couldn’t get the three points to round off a perfect week.
“It was all about just getting that first goal to get me started and I finally got that so I’m happy.”
The life of an injured footballer can be a frustrating one, kicking every ball from the stands but not being able to actually help your teammates on the pitch.
But Obafemi has been supporting from the sidelines while he recuperated, adding his thanks to Swansea’s medical team for their patience shown towards him.
“It’s been difficult, I’ve had a lot of injuries in the past as well but I’ve come to every game, supported the boys and cheering like I’m on the pitch or like I’m one of the fans,” he added.
“It hurts me that I can’t help the team but I will still support the team no matter what, whether I’m on the pitch or on the bench.
“The medical staff have been great, they haven’t rushed me at all. They just said for me to come back in my own time and when I feel ready, so I’m thankful for them and hopefully I’ll have an injury-free season.”
Swansea fans will be delighted to see Obafemi fit and firing as they look to build on the foundations laid by Martin since his summer arrival.
Obafemi admitted the supporters have given him “chills”.
“It’s an amazing support, I’ve already fallen in love with the fans,” smiled Obafemi.
“The support they give me is amazing and gives me chills on the pitch. It makes me want to score goals and that’s what I’m here to do and hopefully I can do more of that.
“We want to get back to winning ways and hit the ground running straightaway. We’ve got a full week to prepare for Peterborough and our focus is to get three points.”
The fans were impressed by his efforts and so too was his manager, who revealed the lengths Obafemi has gone to to support his teammates in the dressing room.
“I’m really pleased for him,” said the Swans boss. “For Michael, that is testament to the hard work he has put in.
“He’s been brilliant this week, he’s worked really hard to get himself fully fit which is where we need him to be.
“I thought he had a real impact when he came on, obviously with his goal, but he looked a real threat and hopefully that will relax him a little and he can settle into his stride and he’ll be very, very good for us no doubt.
“He hadn’t trained fully until this week, but this week he’s worked extremely hard in the gym and on the training pitch.
“The way he was with the guys in the dressing room at the Cardiff and West Brom games was fantastic, energising people, and that’s why he deserved to be back involved today.
“Thankfully for us he’s come through it and he’s done really well so that will give him loads of confidence.”