Mick McCarthy today hailed the return to form of Seyi Olofinjana, saying: “On his day he’s the best player we’ve got.”
Olofinjana is finally back to the standards he set at the start of the season and is being primed for a major role in Wolves’ promotion push.
And that can’t come soon enough for McCarthy, who reckons Seyi’s African Nations Cup experience took a lot out of him.
“Seyi’s a top player – he’s a Premiership player,” said McCarthy.
“He’s arguably the best player we’ve got in terms of effectiveness and doing his job.
“I was never worried that he wouldn’t be able to play as well as he did.
“But the lads from the African Nations have to come back and go straight back into things. That has a big effect.
“For Seyi it was going to Cardiff and Blackpool, which is not quite the same as what he was doing. He needed the break we gave him.”
Olofinjana’s dip in form was noticeable either side of Africa, with McCarthy admitting the competition may have been on his mind.
“Prior to it you have those nagging doubts. It’s like us playing in the World Cup – you don’t want to get injured.
“I’m not saying for one minute that consciously that was his attitude, but you’re going to play for your country and that’s a big thing.
“He was away for six to eight weeks and when you come back that’s a real downer. I know – I’ve been there, seen it and done it.
“But when we came back from European Championships and World Cups we all laid on a beach, skulled beers and watched the world go by.”
14 Comments
Mick, at last I can say “Spot on!”
OLLY CAN BE A GOOD PLAYER ON HIS DAY, BUT HE HAS TO DO IT WEEK IN WEEK OUT TO BE A VERY GOOD PLAYER, WISHING HIM ALL THE BEST FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
JAMIE LANYON PARK CORNWALL
Maybe George was played in his correct position as a more attacking midfielder and not as a twosome holding midfielder with Henry !
Big George’s return to form couldn’t have happened at a better time.
Who wrote that speech? It makes sense.
Big Seyi George is a great player on his day keep it up big man!
Come on seyi fire us into the prem with goals from midfield
Lets not get carried away by Oli`s performance on Saturday,I`m a 45 yr old overweight bloke and if id played as many times for Wolves as Oli has the law of averages say i would have had at least 1 good game.
I noticed you couldn’t help booing the team off at half time on Tuesday. Thanks for supporting the youngsters when they need it most!
I suppose it would be too much to expect the most fickle fans in the division to support Wolves on Saturday? There again you could always chant how much you hate Albion, that should do it.
Hold on a minute remember this is the same manager that said S Ward was his best buy. Although i do agree when he is at his best his is different class. Burning question is for tomorrow will Mick start Freddy in place of AK, after Tuesday he must be given an oportunity.
Bang on MM, Seyi is premiership class without a doubt! I just fear we could lose him if we don’t go up!
When WWFC fail to get promotion again, the lower Premiership teams will, without doubt, be putting in offers for Seyi George Olofinjana.
He will be faced with the choice of another season in the Championship, or move on upwards to further his personal ambitions.
You can’t blame him if he chooses to move on, the type of loyalty shown by Steve Bull is rare in football nowadays.
The only consolation is that WWFC will probably get £7-10M for him. That will allow MM to buy a lot of good 1st Division players for the squad next season!
10. Axel Foley
You’re right. McCarthy just makes it up as he goes along. Last week S. Ward was his best, now its George! But, I bet that it won’t be Freddy next week, even if he gets a hat-trick tomorrow.
COME THE REVOLUTION, AND IT’S GETTING CLOSER!
No Mick, Kites is the best player we’ve got, on his day or not.