Loan ranger Tope Obadeyi is determined to follow up his exciting Shrewsbury Town debut by shining once again when lowly Barnet head to the Greenhous Meadow on Saturday.
Obadeyi, drafted in on loan from Premier League Bolton Wanderers, was Town’s best player in last weekend’s eventful 4-3 defeat at League Two leaders Chesterfield.
Now the 20-year-old Brummie hopes he has done enough to stay in Graham Turner’s team for the clash against Barnet as Town, who remain handily placed in fifth place despite winning just one of their last six games, look to regain top form.
“To play at home at that great stadium, on a great pitch, I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully I can do well in front of the fans and show them what I can do. This is a good chance to get a win, hopefully get a goal,” he said.
“I enjoyed it at Chesterfield and thought I had a decent game. It didn’t start too well going 3-0 down in the first half, but the lads showed great character in the last 15 minutes and could have nicked a result. We were unlucky. I had a few chances but hopefully the goals will come soon.”
Obadeyi, who enjoyed loan spells with Swindon and Rochdale last season, is out to impress for Shrewsbury as this is a big season for him as his Bolton contract expires next summer.
The skilful 6ft 3ins youngster, comfortable either up front or on the left wing, stressed he’s happy at the Reebok Stadium and is eager to make an impact in a Town shirt to catch the eye of Bolton boss Owen Coyle.
“It’s a big year for me,” said Obadeyi.
“Hopefully the more games I get, you never know, things can work out for me at Bolton.
“I play more as a left winger at Bolton but there’s Martin Petrov and Matt Taylor ahead of me. The manager here asked me to play centre forward last weekend and I don’t mind playing in either position.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Bolton. I’ve been there since I was 16 and I’m 20 now but the manager wanted me to go out and get some more games under my belt and get some more experience.
“Hopefully, I can go back there and get in the first team because that’s the main aim, but if not then hopefully I can progress from there.”
Obadeyi knows Bolton will closely monitor his Town performances and he’s keen to give Coyle plenty of food for thought.
“He’s very encouraging to everyone,” he revealed.
“He says it how it is and is down to earth. He’s approachable, which is what you want in a manager.”
Obadeyi has been restricted to three Premier League appearances for Bolton, all as substitute, having come on against Wigan, Manchester United and Arsenal midway through the 2008-09 season.
But he’s also tasted international football, having emerged as a consistent goalscorer for England under-19s and under-20s.
“My last game was for the under-20s at West Brom last season,” he recalled.
“We played Montenegro, won 5-0 and I managed to get a goal.
“Quite a lot of the lads from that side are now playing first team football, people like Dean Sturridge at Chelsea, Scott Sinclair at Swansea, Ryan Bertrand at Nottingham Forest and Andy Carroll at Newcastle.”
Boss Turner will keep tabs on whether right back David Raven and striker Matt Harrold, who both missed the Chesterfield game through injury, are in contention to return this weekend.
“Tope did well in Matt’s place and Dean Holden, in a difficult game to come into, did OK so we’ll take stock of that,” said Turner, who has embraced the challenge of the FA Cup first round draw which will send Town to fallen giants Southampton on November 6.
Barnet come to the Meadow this weekend third-bottom in League Two but boosted by a 1-0 home win over Macclesfield last week.
They have picked up only a single point from six away league trips this term, conceding 18 in the process, including a 7-0 drubbing at Crewe in August.
Town are also in action on Tuesday (7.45pm) when they make the short trip to Gresty Road to take on Crewe Alexandra.
By Stuart Dunn