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Africa Cup left me unfit: Wolves ace
Tuesday 11th March 2008, 11:29AM GMT.
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Wolves midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is ready to recapture his early season form – after he returned from the African Nations Cup unfit and out of sorts.
With Mick McCarthy set to juggle formations and personnel against Preston at Deepdale tonight, Olofinjana is being primed for a return to action as Wolves go in search of crucial points to boost their play-off push.
The Nigerian’s last start in the gold and black was last month’s FA Cup defeat at Cardiff – where Olofinjana was withdrawn after just 40 minutes as Wolves floundered in South Wales.
That was typical of his struggle since returning from international duty at the turn of the year, with Olofinjana unable to get close to the standard he set in the opening weeks of the season.
He had no complaints about his first team axe – but believes he will be ready to grasp another chance if it comes his way.
“There are no guaranteed spots in our team so I can’t complain,” he said.
“It has been a bit of a transition for me since I came back from the African Nations Cup – I haven’t really been able to put things together since I returned.
“When I was playing for Nigeria in the Nations Cup it was a different style and I was playing in the hot weather and I found it difficult to adjust straight away when I came back.
“And I have been a little bit unfit since I came back too, which didn’t help me.”
Read the full exclusive story in today’s Express & Star.
Wolves midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is ready to recapture his early season form – after he returned from the African Nations Cup unfit and out of sorts.
With Mick McCarthy set to juggle formations and personnel against Preston at Deepdale tonight, Olofinjana is being primed for a return to action as Wolves go in search of crucial points to boost their play-off push.
The Nigerian’s last start in the gold and black was last month’s FA Cup defeat at Cardiff – where Olofinjana was withdrawn after just 40 minutes as Wolves floundered in South Wales.
That was typical of his struggle since returning from international duty at the turn of the year, with Olofinjana unable to get close to the standard he set in the opening weeks of the season.
He had no complaints about his first team axe – but believes he will be ready to grasp another chance if it comes his way.
“There are no guaranteed spots in our team so I can’t complain,” he said.
“It has been a bit of a transition for me since I came back from the African Nations Cup – I haven’t really been able to put things together since I returned.
“When I was playing for Nigeria in the Nations Cup it was a different style and I was playing in the hot weather and I found it difficult to adjust straight away when I came back.
“And I have been a little bit unfit since I came back too, which didn’t help me.
“But I have been doing everything I possibly can to get myself back to where I was earlier in the season and I believe I’m ready to kick on now.
“There is nothing like games for getting yourself there and I’ve played for the reserves a couple of times now and it’s really helped me.”
And after recovering form and composure, Olofinjana is hoping to time his run with a Wolves surge for the top six.
“The top six is very much achievable,” he said.
“We have got two games in hand now and and if we win tonight then we put ourselves right back in the thick of it.“Preston will be tough – it’s going to be a difficult game.”
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Lets not beat about the bush here.
On his day,George is the Championships Vierra.
But his form WAY BEFORE he went to Africa for the footie tournament, left a lot to be desired.
I’ve also noticed Dave Edwards early form is slowly deserting him.
We need these two on top form, if we are to push for the play off places.
West Brom seem possibly set for THREE trips to the North London Arch, we’re struggling to make one!
C’mon me babbies, onwards & upwards!
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If he new he was unfit what was he doing about it? Personal responsibility is what’s required. Did Tony Daley spot this and work out individual specific training? Pathetic.
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erm.
What early season form is he trying to recapture?
He has been a useless oaf all season so far.
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It has not been a good season for George. I do not believe he was particularly good at the start of the season.
Last season he managed to score a fair bit and also missed a fair few chances. Obviously with the lack of goals from the forwards, we needed him to contribute more this time round.
With Henry not performing to the levels of last season, the midfield area has been weak. Gibson from Man Utd has not done anything of any note.
We need Davies back but Edwards looks quality.
I have read that Gobern might be back in training in 2 weeks and if so could be a very good replacement for Kites!
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OLLY IS PRETTY USELESS ANYWAY ITS NO GOOD BLAMING OTHER THINGS POOR PLAYER NEVER REALLY DONE ANYTHING FOR WWFC … GET RID
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U2 WOLF:
That’s a bit strong!
Are you TWB in disguise?
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well said Deano Olifijana has been terrible all season, can’t tackle and couldn’t hit a cow’s arse shooting
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“Championship Vieira”? I think not. As for the African Nations ruining his fitness… He’s been poor all season! On current form our two first choice midfielders are Potter (can’t believe I just said that) and Edwards. I agree with U2 Wolf too, get rid, but only if we don’t replace him with some horrendous Irish former Sunderland player, Graeme Kavanagh perhaps!
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Time to put a stop to this African Nations lark anyway.These players are happy to sign for English clubs for big wages then want to go home to play in this competition.If all English clubs stopped buying Africans for a while they’d have to play this competition in our close season and we would be able to watch football in the summer…
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A fine player, one of only a handful that could cut it in the Prem! Form has been a bit wayward this term but I back him to come back with a vengance! Bring it on Georgie baby!!!!
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It seems to me that every time he goes to the African Nations Cup his form dips both before and after
the competition.
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The only midfield player in our side with a decent touch, get him in as replacement for Henry.
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Hopefully the break since the Cardiff debacle has allowed him to work on his fitness. I think we look a
better side with George in it so lets hope he can get back the form he showed last season. We need a good win tonight & 9 points from the next three games is a must! Not settling for 7 points!!!
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I would like to see Oli in for Henry who looks like a wee break would do him good.
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9. Don’t you have that the wrong way round. English clubs are happy to sign African players on big wages knowing they will go to play in their continent’c championship. You seem to be blaming the players!
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Sorry for butting in but as this is a story about Olofinyana this is an appropriate post.
I have noticed several posts on your pages from a combat 18 supporter.
When I challenged his views I attracted the following responce from another fan.
wol1877ves said: Mar 10th, 2008 at 7:50 pm 47 Happy_baggie this is a sports page not a political page if you dont like blood & honour c-18 then get back to your own crappy page and leave us wolves fans to debate on our page you loser bong bong
Now when did combat 18 become a political party – or when did it become political to attack racism ?
I was pleased to see a few wolves fans support my challange and I say to them that if THEY are also told to join the baggies because they won’t tolerate racism, then they will be made very welcome.
What message do these cretins give to our younger fans – and also to your black players and fans ?
I dare C18 or any of their type to tell all the wolves black fans and players what they think of them – have they got the bottle ? p.s – also if you are Jewish you are also fair game to these thugs.
Sorry for the rant, but it makes me SO angry to find that these idiots are peddling their filth on pages like this.
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16. I looked at Home office figures this morning for arrests at all football grounds and whilst Wolves had far higher areests for violent dis-order, albions figures for racist chanting were shocking, and for the record there were no arrest’s at wolves for racism, perhap’s you need to get your message to your own kind before aiming it at Wolves fans.
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We need George if we are to get in the play-offs he can be the difference, if he plays well that is.
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he has gone steadily down hill since kunle odetoyinbo left & tony daley replaced him.
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Can some of you remember earlier in the season?, George was brilliant the first 10 games, untouchable.
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Happy…
Here here mate! This is football all said and done, one aim one goal, we’re all fans and support our teams and have done for generations, thugs and mindless morons have been around all that time too, the dark days in the 80′s should be a distant memory. Lets just all enjoy the football and the only colour issues should be the kits! I’m Old gold and black and proud of it! the guy who stood next me a few weeks back was also old gold and black, so what if our skins were different, we still cheered the same team! unite not divide! up the football!!!!!!
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Wolves1877 – I’m aware that Albion and all other clubs have a racist element – and i would be equally scathing of any albion fan who posted on racist stuff on here – but no one has so I can’t be.
I also don’t care what the content of the post is – he could wish albion all the best, but if he signs of as C18 blood and honour then its not welcome on here any more than the KKK or similar organisations.
Now you can defend them all you want – but any organisation that uses hate and force against minorities are scum – and also illegal.
If everone else thinks I’m out of order then fair enough – and you can all chant together – but I’m hoping that there are others who feel like me about this vile organisation.
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16. Happy_Baggie
On many issues I would have to, in a good natured way, disagree with yo. On this point you are bang on .These cretin’s must be hounded out before they one again sully the beautiful game. History shows us what mob rule brings to our game. Find them and ban them is the only answer. If any fan knows who they are they owe it to the club, the fans and themselves to report their names to the police A.S.A.P. Thank you Happie_baggie for bringing this subject up.
Up The Wolves
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I’d never even heard of combat 18, maybe because i’ve lived in the USA for the last few years, till Happy Baggie brought it to our attention.
& I agree totally with Happy on this one…there is no place for Neo-Nazi groups at any football club, whether its Wolves or Albion.
Simon :)
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22. happy-baggie I certainley ain’t sticking up for any racist c-18 poster’s, group’s or organization’s I totally condem them and what they stand for.
Now you can defend them all you want – but any organisation that uses hate and force against minorities are scum – and also illegal That’ll be Israel and usa then.
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Happy_baggie:
I’ve written to the Express & Star on more than one occasion, as I believe these pages are not being moderated properly.
Racism as no place in the football stadia of ANY country.
I can remember the sick “Monkey” chants & Banana’s aimed at the Black footballers that started in the 70′s.
It’s a sad fact of life, that you’ll always find some Idiots poking fun & bile towards people from another background.
I myself have been subjected to discrimination because I am sadly disabled.
We ALL bleed the same colour blood.
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Happy_Baggie said:
If everone else thinks I’m out of order then fair enough – and you can all chant together – but I’m hoping that there are others who feel like me about this vile organisation.
I would like to think 99.9% of people agree with you Happy
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Well said Happy. Race and/or politics have no place in sport and any fan or sportsperson showing racist tendancies should be expelled from that sport immediately
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Can we all stick to football issues. Combat 18… who ever he is just ignore the little scrotum!
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Extreme views within society are a danger. I include any extremist groups from whatever creed, colour or religion. Their views must not be tolerated if a stable society is to be achieved. I think every club has it’s minority of idiots who openly voice racist views and chants. For example, there’s one who sits a few rows behind me in the North Bank at Molinuex who used to abuse Seol (now at Reading) by shouting out comments like ‘get back in your takeaway’ (highly amusing I know).He held similar views about Carl Cort. It’s sad because I remember attending an away game at West Ham a few years ago and there was a highly enthusiatic group of Korean fans wearing Wolves shirts specifically there to watch Seol. What is the point of abusing people because they look different or have a different colour skin ? What does it achieve? I don’t know. Any way good luck to Wolves tonight and on Saturday. And fair play to Happy baggie for raising this issue.
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Come back big george. We need you on top form.
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22. Happy_baggie
I think you have made a stand and you are right to do so.
I still hear racist remarks coming from fans during a game. I usually think ouch! but just ignore it.
I believe it is dying out, nothing like how it was in the seventies. In ten years time I am sure it will be all but gone forever. Lets hope it doesn’t go too far and become antiseptic though!
I also have to admit I wouldn’t have picked up on the name, probably shows how naive I am!
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I thought C18 was his postcode! It’s fair to say that he has no friends on this blog.
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Abdon – I wasn’t on a crusade or anything – I just don’t want to be associated with or converse with any of these type of morons…. and yes thankfully its disappearing from our game (but not our streets) and I hope it never comes back.
I know plenty of skinheads through the music and scooter scenes – most of whom are as anti racist as anyone, but there are always some who peddle their beliefs and it offends EVERYONE.
Anyway – sorry for moving away from the footy for a min and thanks to those who supported my views – I never doubted you for a moment.
p.s Olly is rubbish !! LOL
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Abdonwolf, you didn’t know who The Clash were so i guessed you would have not have heard of Combat 18!!!
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35. stourbridgewolf
Look!
Stop embarrassing me!
I know who combat 18 are just wouldn’t have picked up on the name in the post, thats all!
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Happy you SHOULD be on a crusade and we should all join you. Up the Black Country.
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He’s has been shocking this year. How about getting the form you had 12 months ago??
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Class player, not having his best season but will come good again. Football has been and is my life but Think standing together against combat 18 is more important than most things. On `form`, I can remember great players going through bad periods and even seasons when they could not achieve their normal level of performance and, despite some rather cutting and IMO ignorant postings, Ollie has premier league ability. How many of you sit near people at matches who come out with the most ridiculous and ignorant comments. Like a lot of referees, some people do not know and cannot appreciate the game fully but this does not stop them spouting ill informed views and perhaps it should not as it does make you question your own views. I expect 3-2 tonight to Wolves.
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Africa Cup left me unfit says George.
In my case 30 odd years of hard graft gave me Arthritis in my Hip & severe Spinal Damage.
The tablets had the side effect of Asthma.
And the heart problem? Lack of exercise due to the above.
How many games did he play in Africa & did he walk it there & back?
IMO, he’s had it too cushy & needs a size 9 up his backside!
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I am liking the look of a scrappy one nil victory. SEB to bundle it home with his gigantic backside.
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Not sure about “The Championship’s Viera” but he certainly does the seemingly easy job of attacking the ball better than our other midfielders who, incidently, sometimes seem scared of the ball.
On the race issue, it’s great that so many people have so strongly opposed the views of the ignorant minority on here but I’d personally like to see more of it at games. I’ve heard countless racist comments from idiots at the Molineux and yet nobody ever seems to take the initiative. Needless to say they’ve always backed down whenever I’ve stood up to them and politely asked them to explain their comments.
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He is the best player in this division on his day, last season was his best in a wolves shirt. im backing big george to recapture his form and score against the albion again.
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What a load of rabbish!
You shouldn’t av gone mate, could av changed a few games for us maybe.
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george through his size, should be a lot more dominating in the middle. too many times i,ve seen him go into a challenge and stop to check the players welfare before continuing. previous form has gone, and the goals have dissapeared for him.like my old school reports used to say. MUST TRY HARDER………
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he says he’s unfit he better hope the fans are fit to bother turning up the weekend he was uselees before he went to africa.
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If were gonna make the play offs we need Olifinana in there. He is the only midfielder with any skill and passing ability in our team.
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Olifinjana went to the African nations and came back useless i didnt realise he took Edwards,Breen,Foley,Keogh Ward x 2,Jarvis,Boothroyd with him, i bet Elliot was “different class playing on the right for Tonga” Where is “ive fell over again Boothroyd anyway?
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