Most recently of Boreham Wood, Ömer Rıza has had a football
career at one of the world’s top clubs, Arsenal. An experienced centre forward,
now a free agent, answers my questions on all things football.
1) You've had a whole host of different clubs, most
notably Arsenal, Barnet and Trabzonspor. At what club did you learn the most
about football that you still use in your game today?
OR: I have been at a few
clubs in my career and they have all given me something to take away with me. I
think the biggest part of my career was when I was at Arsenal where you learn a
specific way of playing and a way which is very much team orientated, this gave
me a few problems when I left as not many teams, as you can imagine, can play
like Arsenal and the players they produce.
I then moved to West Ham and it was again very different,
it’s as I have said, different pieces of the puzzle that I have had to put
together in order to get the best out of myself. Playing abroad was a very good
part of my career in Holland and Turkey as they gave me different perspectives
on how to play in different ways.
2) For this season you were playing alongside former Barnet
striker Cliff Akurang, how did you find your time playing with him?
OR: Playing with Cliff this year has been good, when we had
the opportunity to do so, he is a player that likes to bring people into play
and that for me is perfect to work off, it’s been unfortunate that we didn't
really get a prolonged crack at playing together. He is honest, hardworking and
someone I can relate to.
3) Did you enjoy your stay with Boreham Wood?
OR: I was at Boreham Wood for ten months and I enjoyed
myself. I managed to score 19 goals in 40 games or so, it was a successful
period and it’s nice to go to a team that had previously struggled at this
level to consolidate in the league to a team that is now competing for
promotion. I hope they continue and that the club make the right decisions
along the way.
4) Are you pleased with your individual performances this
season and did you set yourself any personal targets at the start of the
campaign?
OR: I feel that my performances this season have been
of a standard that has mirrored the team itself, I have played well and given
100% but on the odd occasions things haven't quite gone the way I/we wanted.
This is football and how you deal with these periods is what is important. To
get through sticky patches and not just change a player or players in order to
hit form again is also important.
5) Now that your time with Boreham Wood has come to an end,
what level do you feel like you can play at? Would you like to stay in the Blue
Square South?
OR: I'm 33 now and feel great; sometimes people can
judge others on their age when performances dip but for me it is important to
judge on performance and issues arising in games more than anything else. I
still feel like I can play in the league and will continue to push on and
believe that no matter what age I am, I will continue.
6) Who have really impressed you so far this season in the
BSS?
OR: To be honest I have tried to watch players during
games but when you’re involved with the game and focused on you own team and
performances everyone else doesn't matter. There are good players in
both north and south and all deserve to be coached in order for them to
progress in their careers, so to your question, no one in-particular.
7) Who has been the toughest opponent you've faced?
OR: I think my toughest opponent in my career would have to
be Roberto Carlos or Lugano whilst playing at Trabzonspor, but this year I
think Kenny Clark contained me well, who is currently at Chelmsford City. I
will make sure I give him a tougher time next time I play against him!
8) For any aspiring footballer, what advice would you
give them?
OR: For young players who are aspiring to be professional
footballers, it is important to keep working hard at your game because you will
keep improving. Always stay true to yourself, try not to get dragged into the
politics of football and don't talk about other people or players in
a negative way. Do not settle for people telling you that this is your level;
always push yourself to the next level.
