Oli’s recipe for success: Less Fortnite and more sleep time
OLI McBurnie has revealed how he has made lifestyle adjustments to try and ensure he repays Graham Potter’s faith in him at Swansea City.
The Scotland international is Swansea’s first-choice centreforward under the former Ostersunds boss, an opportunity he had long coveted while the club were in the Premier League.
His future had appeared uncertain in the summer – with Leeds and Rangers interested – but once he held talks with Potter it did not take long before pen was put to paper on a new three-year contract.
The 22-year-old has scored four goals and set up another two so far this season, but admits the adjustment to playing three times a week has not been easy despite getting a taste of the Championship via a successful loan spell at Barnsley last term.
McBurnie struggled with niggling injury problems over the opening weeks of the season, including a cracked toe and a knee issue, and with input from his manager resolved to make some alterations off the field in order to ensure he can be at his best on it. And he joked that the changes include spending less time on a games console.
“I’ve had a bit of a look at myself recently in terms of the lifestyle and the recovery that is needed to play three games a week,” he said.
“It’s the first time I have had to do it. It may look easy but it isn’t, and I found I was getting niggles and feeling fatigued. But I have felt better recently, I can prepare well and go again.
“It’s about growing up a bit, maturing and recognising the opportunity I have been given and doing everything I can to make the most of it.
“I spoke to the gaffer about it a lot, he has been unbelievable with me.
“I have never known a manager to care about his players so much, to take such an interest in me.
“He’s giving me the chance to be the main man, and I owe it to him to be in the best shape I can be to compete every game with the hard schedule.
“It’s not about any one thing. It’s a bit of everything. Sleep is part of it, realising the right time to do things, eating better and eating properly.
“It’s a big adjustment being away from your family, last season at Barnsley I was with my friends and family last year and everything was nearby.
“Now I am back away from them and it’s down to me to do everything I need to on my own. I am getting used to it.
“So I have to get off Fortnite and make sure I get a good night’s sleep in!”