Benik Afobe has credited Ian Wright for helping to transform him from a loan ranger to a sharp shooter of the highest order.
After failing to make a first team impact at Arsenal, Afobe had loan spells with the likes of Bolton, Huddersfield and MK Dons before landing a permanent deal at Wolves.
And the 22-year-old striker has been a revelation since arriving at Molineux in January, scoring five goals in seven appearances so far.
One of his two goals in the weekend thrashing of Rotherham had more than a look of Ian Wright, Wright, Wright about it.
And Afobe has revealed that the Arsenal goalscoring legend has been an inspiration to him as he looks to carve out a similar, prolific career.
“Ian Wright is someone I have spoken to and I watch clips of him because you’ve got to take things from other people,” Afobe said.
“Before my first game at MK Dons, Karl Robinson (manager) called me into his office and I thought: ‘Oh no, what have I done?’ But Ian Wright was on the phone. He said ‘Benik how are you? I want to work with you.
“I believe in you and all the staff have told me great things about you. I don’t want to go into exactly what he said, but it was a very positive phone call.
“He is someone I have always looked up to and for him to say he has faith in me and people have told him good things about me is a huge honour.”
Afobe is one of a number of front runners in the race for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for February, with a host of Derby stars tracking him all the way.
In the absence of leading scorer Chris Martin, Darren Bent has become a main man for the Rams and took his tally to seven goals in eight games in the weekend win against Sheffield Wednesday.
Bent, who was brought in from the Villa Park cold by Steve McClaren, has been ably assisted by fellow new boy Thomas Ince who has contributed five goals in four games.
With Middlesbrough, Bournemouth and Ipswich all stumbling on Saturday, the Rams reclaimed top spot in the Championship – but keep an eye on fast-improving Norwich.
Under Alex Neil, the Canaries have moved back into promotion contention on the back of a run which has produced six wins and a draw in eight games since the Scot took over from Neil Adams.
Lewis Grabban and Cameron Jerome were the goal heroes in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Watford and are proving to be a lethal combination as Norwich close in on the top two.
Daryl Murphy continues to lead the race for the golden boot in the Championship, with 21 goals for an Ipswich side also with an eye on promotion.
The likes of Andre Gray at Brentford and Forest’s Mihail Antonio are also in the mix for our latest monthly award – but who will get your vote?
http://www.football.co.uk/pfa-fans-player-of-the-month/index.shtml
Source: DSG
