By Gareth James
Michael Obafemi believes Swansea City can build quickly on their first win of the season – starting with the chance of back-to-back victories on Tuesday night.
Millwall are the visitors to the Swansea.com Stadium where Russell Martin’s side will be hoping to extend the momentum of their weekend 1-0 win at Blackpool.
That victory ended a winless start to the campaign across three matches in all competitions, but Obafemi believes the team now have a platform from which to move upwards.
“The dressing room is buzzing after getting a win,” said the Republic of Ireland international who helped create the late winner for Olivier Ntcham.
“We know we did not play our best football in the second half, we know there is still a lot to work on but we are happy with the win.
“Now, we will look back on this game and see where we can improve and be ready for Millwall on Tuesday.
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“We have not made the start we wanted but I am sure this win will give us a good boost and hopefully we can kick on from here.”
Obafemi says he will always be willing to pass up personal glory to help the team after he unselfishly set up Swansea winner.
The striker seized on a clearance and beat the final defender inside his own half, before motoring away towards goal.
As he advanced, Ntcham raced forward to get up in support of his team-mate, and Obafemi chose to give the Frenchman a simple finish as opposed to taking the shot on himself.
The 87th minute strike gave the Swans their first win of the season, and Obafemi would have no hesitation doing the same again if it ensures three points.
“We have put a lot of work in on the training ground on our attacking game and we had chances. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a goal, but I was more than happy to set up the winner,” he said.
Teams with the lowest expected goals in the Championship this weekend:
1️⃣ Birmingham – 0.09
2️⃣ Blackburn – 0.44
3️⃣ Sheffield United – 0.53
4️⃣ Reading – 0.77
5️⃣ Preston – 0.86
6️⃣ Swansea – 1.14(Data from @InfogolApp)#BCFC #Rovers pic.twitter.com/jYaEDYT1Wr
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) August 14, 2022
“I’ll be honest and say I did want to shoot, but I knew Oli was up with me and it was the right option to lay it off for him. You have to do what is best for the team.”
The Swans’ opening win has also been praised by head coach Martin, who said: “There was a lot more energy and intensity in our play, which I liked and that is something I want us to keep building on.
“We started the second half poorly and that was self-inflicted and we have to have fewer of those moments.
“I think there was some tension because we hadn’t scored and we probably felt we should have. They were more aggressive but we have to be able to deal with that.
“Fish (Swans goalkeeper Andy Fisher) saves the penalty, but then the crowd is energised and they had a 15-minute spell where they caused us a few too many problems.
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“We lost a bit of control, that is going to happen at times away from home, but we were able to deal with it, the fans were great in getting behind us.
“We looked like the team more likely to win the game the longer it went on, we limited them and in the end we got our reward.
“So I am delighted with the win, delighted with the clean sheet. The players work so hard and I hope this will relieve a little bit of tension and enable us to kick on from here.”
Millwall beat Coventry City 3-2 at the weekend, after starting their Championship campaign with a won over Stoke City and a defeat at Sheffield United.
