The transfer window seems to throw up many a player with somewhat deluded thoughts about their future in the game. Their head space is filled with pound signs and promises of unbelievable wealth and the opportunity for an all round prosperous life to enjoy.

And maybe get the chance to play football as well.

It’s well documented that Michael Obafemi seems to struggle with change and the ability to focus on what is important as opposed to what he perceives as the right thing to do. Swansea boss Russell Martin made that clear and subsequent interviews of Obafemi and Martin circulated regarding that particular journey. Russell Martin managed that well, he devoted a lot of time to Michael assisting him through what many saw as a pretty selfish period of failing to adhere to very basic principles of arriving on time for work, attitude and behaviour.

Proof of Michael’s progression came on the pitch with his and the coaching staff’s hard work paying off in goals. Those goals thrust him in to the spotlight and of course with that comes transfer window interest. Clearly for the past two games Michael Obafemi found it difficult to concentrate on what he is paid to do and was dropped. Once again the player is allowing things around him and his own personal view on life to affect him, and that’s a shame. His failure to deal with change, be that when he arrived at Swansea or now when all the ‘noise’ of his potential transfer away from the club is once again with us.

So much so he can’t play for the club who pay his salary because he is ‘affected’ by the fact he couldn’t deal with all the transfer talk. He couldn’t knuckle down, even under the guidance of this Swansea City coaching team and get on with his job. And here’s the rub after Martin referenced this after the home win over QPR. "Michael, we had a chat after the deadline day madness and both decided it was best for him to have the weekend off and that he couldn't contribute in a way that he should have. I'm a young manager and have to learn a lot, I shouldn't have brought him on Wednesday with what was going on, I made the wrong call. But I feel like we made the right call today, and Michael agreed. He'll come back in on Monday, we'll have a really good chat and we'll make sure he's in the right frame of mind to contribute. His head has been filled with all sorts of nonsense since we first came back in, so his energy has been a bit different.We need to get back to the Michael Obafemi we had from December onwards and I'm sure we will."

Russell Martin admitting his failings at times is something many can’t do, especially in football. The three Burnley bids never really came close to satisfying the clubs valuation and Michael’s has to accept that. His previous issues at the swans and at Southampton can’t keep surfacing every time something distorts his concept of what is happening. He has an obligation to his paymasters that’s for sure.

And most certainly the fans.

He should also consider this. Clubs do due diligence, they research and review a players behaviour and off the field responsibility. That makes sense as after all ninety minutes isn’t the whole deal. Michael has a history of poor attitude and behaviour which will have been known by Burnley. That affects the price they will put on the players head. Of course it does, you don’t buy a house with a leaky roof that can affect other parts of the building and cause loads of problems in the future. Surely that makes sense ?

The value will be lower, and the offers will reflect that.

The thing is this, all of these issues are down to Michael and even his representatives, they are the reason for this current issue Michael has. It starts with him though, but the rubbish that must have been put in his head of late won’t help. It’s clear there’s a reasoning and understanding process that Michael finds hard to cognitively manage. Clearly when under any signs of change or pressure processing information is hard. Russell Martin can only do so much and a lot of this is down to Michael Obafemi. Swansea City fans have reacted negatively to the news the player couldn’t turn out for his club because he wasn’t fit to do so.

They didn’t like that in droves. And quite rightly.

Now’s the time for Michael Obafemi and his mirror to get to grips once again and show character and discipline for our club. It isn’t a big ask, it’s what we all expect.

So come on Obafemi …

Photographs licensed from Reuters

howenjack added 12:06 - Sep 5 Ben Brereton Diaz is banging in goals left right and centre for Blackburn - he was linked with a number of possible moves away from Ewood park but nothing materialsied and he's back doing what he does best scoring goals. Michael could become the Brereton Diaz of Swansea , it's all up to him , come on Michael You know you can do it son.
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