Gaz Nt Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Interview taken from www.guillembalague.com. Enjoy Exclusive Interview: Mustapha Riga became Gary Megson?s third major signing this summer when the Ghana-born forward signed a three-year deal at the Reebok Stadium. The 26-year-old, who began his career with Vitesse before spells at RBC, Sparta Rotterdam moved to Bolton after a difficult spell in La Liga with Levante. Riga, a former Holland Under-21 international, was one of a number of players forced to protest at Levante?s failure to pay them last season, as the club suffered severe financial problems that culminated in their relegation from the Spanish top flight. I got to know Mustapha from his time in Spain and when he was invited to join us as a studio guest for the Spanish football on Sky Sports this weekend, I took the opportunity to chat with him about his new life in England and his decision to choose Bolton Wanderers.... Riga: There were a couple of offers from England, but I'm very happy with my choice of Bolton. Knowing that the fans were loving me before I even arrived, and the welcome I got from the fans when I did get here, I don't regret it at all. I would not change Bolton for any other club. Guillem: You've been in and out of the side and now you've got a slight injury... Riga: When I arrived I wasn't able to start playing immediately, because of the situation with Levante I hadn't trained for a long time. When I was ready to play, I got a chance to come on against West Brom and Arsenal, I was ready for it, and I had just been waiting for the coach to give me that opportunity to get on. And now that I have started to play I was very unlucky to get hit with a tackle, but I hope to get back soon because I'm so excited about playing for my fans. Guillem: What is your favourite position? At Levante you played just behind the striker, but most of the time as a number nine - which is probably not your best role... Riga: If we play as a 4-4-2 I always prefer to be the second striker, behind the main forward, then I can use my pace and also try to distribute the ball and create goals. That's my best position. If I play there all the time; I create goals all the time. But I don't mind, if the coach wants to put me on the right hand side, on the left hand side; I always say that a good player must be able to manage in every position. I'll manage. But if you want to see the best of Riga; you know where to put me. Guillem: What is the main difference between Spanish and English football? Riga: In Spanish football you have much smaller space to work in, you must have great technique to succeed. You have to be able to operate in small spaces. The English game is more open. In Spanish football you need more skills - I'm not saying that English football is not more skillful... Guillem: You just need different skills... Riga: Yes. In England you are playing in wide open spaces, it?s more physical than in Spain, but I think that anyone who plays in Spain can also play in England. Guillem: Would you prefer to face English or Spanish centre backs? Riga: Because of the style, I'd prefer to play against English centre backs; because there is more space to get between them. In Spain it's closed. Guillem: Isn?t that also because the game in England is so fast, that it is harder for the centre back to cover... Riga: And because of that, if you are a fast player, you can really benefit from this: like Robinho is doing now, like Torres is doing... Guillem: And what Riga will be doing soon... Riga: I hope so! And what Riga will be doing soon!! Guillem: How?s the injury, when can we expect to see you back? Riga: I'm going to start training again on Monday - to get fit for the game against Liverpool. We are playing at home and I'm excited for my fans again because, after all, you do it for them. They come to enjoy the game and I like to play for the Bolton fans. Guillem: How is life here, how are you settling in? Riga: I didn't think that I would be able to settle in quite so quickly. But the way that everyone has responded to me and welcomed me has made it very easy for me. I feel like I have been here for years. It?s amazing. I don?t even want to miss a single game. I so badly wanted to be at the game against Hull the other day. I'm really enjoying it here and I just want to keep on enjoying it and to keep playing. That is the most important thing for me: to play. Guillem: That was a huge victory against Hull wasn't it? Riga: It was a big step forward for us. We have to start taking the points now; we cannot think that we will have to do better in the next game. Everyone is so close to each other in the league table, so we need to take some big steps now and we have to continue, otherwise you win a game but lose the next and you are straight back down and all the other teams have caught you up. Bolton have to keep taking three points from every game. Guillem: Are you surprised at the way Hull played and approach the game? Riga: Yeah, they play good football. I did think that all the clubs that get promoted would be kicking it long. But Hull have been surprising: they play the ball and they have a good team. I think they will do well...but I hope we finish up above them.
Traf Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 He talks a good game.................................
glennboltw Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 He talks a good game................................. Lets see if Megson plays him in "His favorite position". I doubt it, he will soon be a defensive midfielder!
Traf Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Lets see if Megson plays him in "His favorite position". I doubt it, he will soon be a defensive midfielder! You've not been here long and you're already starting on Megson, eh? So, Elmander got played out of position for one third of a game and suddenly Megson's putting square pegs in round holes?
tyldesley_white Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 You've not been here long and you're already starting on Megson, eh? So, Elmander got played out of position for one third of a game and suddenly Megson's putting square pegs in round holes? Its going to a long winter
Traf Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Its going to a long winter It probably is: but the guy's comment was ridiculous.
Sweep Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Riga: There were a couple of offers from England, but I'm very happy with my choice of Bolton. Knowing that the fans were loving me before I even arrived Were we?
Traf Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Were we? He'd read this board and saw that a few off here rated him on Champ manager.
Big_Sharps Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 i wondered about that comment aswell , i personally had never heard of him but he does over something a bit different that is badly needed in our team if we want a team capable of unlocking defences
glennboltw Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 It probably is: but the guy's comment was ridiculous. Sorry you thought the comment was ridiculous but it was actually said in jest. I am not against Megson, I am one of the few people who think we should give him a chance.
Traf Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Sorry you thought the comment was ridiculous but it was actually said in jest. I am not against Megson, I am one of the few people who think we should give him a chance. Fair enough. It did look like a dig at GM, though.
glennboltw Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 Fair enough. It did look like a dig at GM, though. No maybe I didn't make my comment clear. Nothing winds me up more when so called supporters slag off any of our management or players, we are all in this together and should stick together, if they want to moan they should stay at home at and shout at the radio instead it would do us all a favour.
tkonion Posted November 18, 2008 Posted November 18, 2008 His comments make a pleasant change from the usual foreign mercenary badge kissing and then gripeing in their home countries rags. Long may it continue.
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