THIS COULD BE MESSI
Rovers’ ‘ Lionel’ is out to bring down Blades
AS IF Sheffield United have not had enough problems to cope with this season.
Tomorrow they face a small but potentially tricky FA Cup hurdle against the player dubbed ‘ The Turkish Messi’.
At 5ft 3in, Bristol Rovers midfielder Erhun Oztumer is among the smallest players in the top four divisions in England.
But his quick feet and deadly free- kick skills mark him out as the man to watch for the Blades in what looks like an awkward third- round tie for the club that are bottom of the Premier League.
Rovers are 18th in League One, but under new manager Paul Tisdale, who took over in November, they have won five of their past seven games.
Oztumer was released by Charlton as a youngster because of his height, despite having injections of growth hormones, and he went to Turkish clubs Sivasspor and then Anadolu to pursue his dream.
He came back to England, scored 60 goals in two years for non- League Dulwich Hamlet and then Peterborough finally gave him a chance in the professional game.
From there he went to Walsall, then Bolton, left when the money ran out as the players went on strike, and found himself back at Charlton before being loaned out to Rovers in October.
Along the way came the nickname.
“It was when I was at Peterborough, their chairman Darragh MacAnthony gave me the label,” said Oztumer, 29. “They gave me my chance. I had been rejected by lots of clubs but I never gave up hope.
“I really owe everything to Gavin
Rose, the manager at Dulwich, he helped me. Without him I would not be here.
“But I’m not a Messi. It came about because I am small and left footed like him – but
I’m nowhere near him!
“I’ve not come across anyone smaller than me!
It did hinder my career early on. But now I’m older I can deal with it, I’ve adapted my game. “I use my size to my advantage. I have a low centre of gravity and quick feet. When you are short, you need to think ahead, about what you are going to do when you get the ball. Be sharp. “I did have days when I thought it was never going to happen. But I was always determined. I knew I was good enough. I just kept plugging away.” Oztumer insists Rovers will not be fooled by the Blades’ current position. “They are still a Premier League side, with quality players,” he said. “But this is a free hit for us. We are in good form.”