THIS COULD GET MESSI
Struggling Blades will have their hands full with in-form Rovers and star man Oztumer
Tomorrow,3pm
BY
AS if Sheffield United have not had enough problems to cope with this season.
Now 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 tiers of English football.
But his quick feet and freekick skills mark him out as the man to watch for the Premier League Blades in what looks like a very awkward third round tie.
Chris Wilder (top right) and his team are bottom of the table without a win in 17 League games. Rovers are 18th in League One but under new boss Paul Tisdale, who took over in November, the Gas have won five of their last seven games.
Oztumer, 29, joined Rovers on loan in October from Charlton and the tale of how he reached the competition’s third round is one of typical FA Cup romance.
Released by Charlton as a youngster because of his height, despite having injections of growth hormones, Oztumer went out to Turkish clubs Sivasspor and then Anadolu.
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 loaned out to Rovers.
Along the way came the nickname. He said: “It was when I was at Peterborough, their chairman Darragh MacAnthony gave me the label.
“They gave me my chance. I had been rejected by lots of clubs but I never gave up hope. ”But I’m not a Messi. It came about because I am small and leftfooted like him – but I’m nowhere near him!
“I ’ ve not come across anyone smaller than me so far. It did hinder my career early on – but now I’m older I can deal with it, I have 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 be thinking ahead, about what you are going to do when you get the ball. Be sharp. The game has changed now and is more technical, which helps.
“I did have days when I thought it was never going to happen. But I was determined. I just kept plugging away.”
As many big clubs have found in the FA Cup over the years, these hurdles can be the trickiest.
Oztumer said: “They are still a Premier League side, with quality players, but this is a free hit for us. We are in good form.”