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Kerem Bulut

mack

By mack
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luisenrique

luisenrique

Posted
Posted

 

Tbh I like that they know **** all about football, means you get some really good odds.

Maybe for a short period. Odds are determined by how many people put money on. It's all just an algorithm to ensure the tab make as much money as they can.

 

True, but you still see plenty of ridiculousness. Often I've seen for example people who are out injured listed as options for FGS, sometimes with better odds than people who are playing! I think for the not so big games where there aren't a lot of people betting for the algorithm to work its magic, there's some good value.

 

Gamble responsibly.

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West13

West13

Posted
Posted

Western Sydney Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut insists he is misunderstood

 

Tom Smithies, The Daily Telegraph

October 28, 2016 8:00pm

Subscriber only

 

THERE’S no Maccas on the menu today, just coffee and conversation.

 

As the words pour out of Kerem Bulut, the picture that emerges is at times confusing and enlightening, self-confident and uncertain.

 

The one thing the Wanderers striker wants, from this interview and life in general, is for preconceptions to be set aside.

 

If that’s hard, in an age when Google will forever produce myriad lurid headlines about the company he has kept in the past, then there is one relevant fact that he introduces, unprompted, within seconds.

 

For all his various brushes with the law, he quietly asks a simple question

 

“Where does it state that I’ve ever been convicted of anything in my life?â€

 

Just as quietly, the Wanderers are trying to help Bulut, in his second spell with the club and now aged 24, to refocus his life around football and family and nothing else.

 

There were many voices wary of his return to Western Sydney after a year playing in Greece, back to the area where he grew up and where questionable influences might still be in play. But when you talk to Tony Popovic, the Western Sydney coach is fiercely protective of a player he believes needs guidance, not giving up on.

 

 

Western Sydney Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut says he is loving being back in the A-League.

More than any other thing, it was working under Popovic that made Bulut pull the plug on his second stint in Europe and return to the Wanderers in August without a second thought.

 

“Think twice? Never in the world,†he said.

 

“I wanted to come back to where I felt loved. Me and Popovic have a relationship I don’t think I’ll ever have with a coach in my life. He gets the best out of me, he understands me 100 per cent. He’s like my father, that’s the relationship we have. I’d do anything for him, and he’d do anything for me.

 

“If I could work with him for 10 years I would. And I’d be the best player. I’ve had little arguments with coaches in the past where we haven’t got along. But if he says something I’ll zip it, listen and move on. I have so much respect for him. Him and the club are always behind me because they know what kind of person I am.

 

“Some people just want to bring you down and it’s not fair. Let me enjoy my life, play football, look after my family and do my things.â€

 

 

Kerem Bulut celebrates a goal with Western Sydney Wanderers fans after scoring in the Sydney derby last season.

It’s quickly evident that a need to “feel loved†is part of Bulut’s make-up. But there’s also a realisation that at 24, he needs to convert the blistering potential he showed at the U20 World Cup in 2011 into tangible achievements.

 

He has faced police charges twice, in 2010 and last year, and while none led to a conviction, they indicate the environment the club wants to help him move away from. Club officials took his word when he told them he was innocent of involvement in an incident at a McDonald’s last year, and evidence duly supported that.

 

“I’m just a normal person, a family man,†Bulut says. “People misjudge me, label me as a criminal. But where does it state that I’ve ever been convicted of anything in my life? Back in 2010 — found not guilty. The same with the Maccas thing.

 

“I’m not a bad person. I look after the household, you know, because I don’t have my father at home. I’ve got my little brother, I’ve got my little sister and my mum to worry about. So I work very hard at my job and I want to achieve the most I can in football.

 

“The thing with me is I can’t say no. I have a big heart and I try to help a lot of people. Now I’ve cut that off and I’m focusing more on me. Before, I was always trying to please everyone else, but you can’t move forward like that. Sometimes you have to be ruthless, selfish.

 

“As a professional footballer you have to be. I can talk big and say this year is going to be the Kerem Bulut we know. I’m doing the little things right that I’ve never done before.

 

 

Kerem Bulut at training with Western Sydney Wanderers.

“For example, we have to wake up in the morning and do wellness (an app the players fill in each day to measure their physical and mental condition). There’s no chance before I could do that because I was very irresponsible. Turning up to training, I’m organising to get there earlier because I don’t drive.

 

“I do prehab, all the little one per cent extras that Popa always talks about. I’ve never done that before, so I’m so glad to be back here working with this club. I feel I can achieve big things. I’m finding my feet slowly, but in a few weeks I feel like I’ll be unstoppable.â€

 

Some things in his life are more stable. It was never made public but during his first spell with the club, both of his parents were seriously ill, with predictable effects on his focus.

 

“Mum was going through cancer at the time, and my father was too,†he says. “I had both of them going through it. It wasn’t an easy stage of my life, but I overcome it. I’ve had major setbacks, and I don’t think maybe 80 per cent of people could bounce back.â€

 

At that point he points to a random stranger walking past.

 

“People do make judgements,†he says. “I could look at that guy and say, look at him, look at how he dresses, he’s a **** bloke. But maybe he’s the best bloke you’ll ever meet. Popa is the same. People make judgments on him because he gives nothing away.

 

“That guy will do anything for his players. But he keeps his inner circle small, that’s why he’s a smart man. It’s what he told me, keep it small. You don’t need to show everyone.

 

“That’s where I made mistakes, I tried to show everyone. But you shouldn’t worry about anything else.â€

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/a-league/western-sydney-wanderers-striker-kerem-bulut-insists-he-is-misunderstood/news-story/9d63c08d05279ec5c8952745b574ef08

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wanderersfanatic

wanderersfanatic

Posted
Posted (edited)

Coincidence? :cheeky:

 

14611031_10206072801973982_3692362257928

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/the-guidance-from-sonny-bill-williams-that-kept-wanderers-kerem-bulut-from-falling-back-into-trouble-20161028-gsd1vs.html

 

The guidance from Sonny Bill Williams that kept Wanderers' Kerem Bulut from falling back into trouble

 

Kick-off wasn't for a number of hours but Kerem Bulut was already anxious. It was March 11 last year, his second home game for Western Sydney Wanderers and by mid-afternoon he was already dressed in his tracksuit ready to face Melbourne City that night.

 

"I just want to play," Bulut said to Wanderers chief executive John Tsatsimas who sat by his side. However, the two weren't at Parramatta Stadium.

 

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The newly signed striker was detained at Auburn Police Station after being charged with intimidation following an argument at a nearby McDonald's the night before. Bulut feared missing the game, the club feared a player with a history of gang involvement may never play for them again.

 

It wasn't until the reality hit home that his future could be determined by police rather than coaches that he realised his career was again in jeopardy.

 

"To be honest, if it was any other club or anyone else, I would have had my contract torn-up there and then," Bulut said. "But, maybe that created my career, something small like that."

 

The charges relating to that incident at McDonald's were dropped within weeks, so too the gang-related charges he faced in 2010. However, there were no assurances there wouldn't be a third incident unless his lifestyle changed.

 

For Bulut, a "lack of guidance" prompted an early association with alleged criminal groups. He grew up in Sydney's west, and 'fell into a bad' crowd when he was a teenager.

 

However his talent was undeniable. He won the golden boot performance at the 2009 Asian Under-19 Championships and Europe came knocking.

 

He played in the Czech Republic for Mlada Boleslav (2010-13) before stints in Turkey with Akhisar Belediyespor and Karsiyaka.

 

​After leaving Turkey he returned to Australian in 2015 to play with the team of his home suburbs. However, his starring debut for the Wanderers when he scored a double against Sydney FC was immediately overshadowed by off-field incidents.

 

"The hardest thing for me to sacrifice was my friends, that's what kept dragging me back. I'd always go back to my friends, I would go back to please people," he said.

 

At the end of 2015 he signed with Greek club Iraklis. His third spell in Europe wasn't enjoyable as he was played intermittently, out of position and paid irregularly.

 

"I was feeling empty in Greece and it felt like I was there just to make up numbers," Bulut said.

 

Disillusioned and dejected, he decided to return home, even if that meant being near those who once sat by his side in custody.

 

"I came back to work with [Tony] Popovic again because he gets the best out of me; we have an understanding," Bulut said. "Our understanding is second to none, he's like a father figure to me."

 

The understanding and straight talking of Popovic was reinforced by one of the biggest names in sport - Sonny Bill Williams.

 

"Me and Sonny, we've been hanging out. You know, Sonny? Sonny Bill? Top bloke," Bulut said.

 

Both athletes are managed by cousins Salem Sawda and Khoder Nasser, and after hearing Bulut was returning to play in Australia, the New Zealand rugby union star offered to become a mentor.

 

"He grabbed me and pulled me aside and said. 'Mate, at your age I had all these things, I had all the women in the world, I had this, I had that but my heart was empty. Just focus on your football and get rid of these people'," Bulut said.

 

There's a sense of elation with every text message Bulut receives from Williams. It's prompted a sense of greater purpose in his life and the realisation that if he falls back into his previous habits, it won't just be him that's affected.

 

"I've got a family to look after, I've got a little brother and sister that look up to me as a role model but if I fail, my family fails," Bulut said. "I want to do the best even for my mother, I don't want her to work anymore. I'm trying to do my best to look after my family. At the end of the day, nobody has made it in our family."

 

The previous image of Bulut won't go away quickly, especially with the stories inked from his hands to his cheeks but his focus has shifted from feuds to football and family. A life once void of guidance is suddenly filled with an abundance and with such heavyweight support, Bulut says he won't fall again.

 

"I've got all the talent in the world but what's always put me back is my mind. That's what I'm working with, once that's clear then I will be unstoppable," he said.

Edited by wanderersfanatic
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West13

West13

Posted
Posted

The guidance from Sonny Bill Williams that kept Wanderers' Kerem Bulut from falling back into trouble

Dominic Bossi

Dominic Bossi

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Keeping straight: Western Sydney Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut.

Keeping straight: Western Sydney Wanderers striker Kerem Bulut. Photo: Louise Kennerley

Kick-off wasn't for a number of hours but Kerem Bulut was already anxious. It was March 11 last year, his second home game for Western Sydney Wanderers and by mid-afternoon he was already dressed in his tracksuit ready to face Melbourne City that night.

 

"I just want to play," Bulut said to Wanderers chief executive John Tsatsimas who sat by his side. However, the two weren't at Parramatta Stadium.

 

Advertisement

 

The newly signed striker was detained at Auburn Police Station after being charged with intimidation following an argument at a nearby McDonald's the night before. Bulut feared missing the game, the club feared a player with a history of gang involvement may never play for them again.

 

It wasn't until the reality hit home that his future could be determined by police rather than coaches that he realised his career was again in jeopardy.

 

"To be honest, if it was any other club or anyone else, I would have had my contract torn-up there and then," Bulut said. "But, maybe that created my career, something small like that."

 

The charges relating to that incident at McDonald's were dropped within weeks, so too the gang-related charges he faced in 2010. However, there were no assurances there wouldn't be a third incident unless his lifestyle changed.

 

For Bulut, a "lack of guidance" prompted an early association with alleged criminal groups. He grew up in Sydney's west, and 'fell into a bad' crowd when he was a teenager.

 

However his talent was undeniable. He won the golden boot performance at the 2009 Asian Under-19 Championships and Europe came knocking.

 

He played in the Czech Republic for Mlada Boleslav (2010-13) before stints in Turkey with Akhisar Belediyespor and Karsiyaka.

 

​After leaving Turkey he returned to Australian in 2015 to play with the team of his home suburbs. However, his starring debut for the Wanderers when he scored a double against Sydney FC was immediately overshadowed by off-field incidents.

 

"The hardest thing for me to sacrifice was my friends, that's what kept dragging me back. I'd always go back to my friends, I would go back to please people," he said.

 

At the end of 2015 he signed with Greek club Iraklis. His third spell in Europe wasn't enjoyable as he was played intermittently, out of position and paid irregularly.

 

"I was feeling empty in Greece and it felt like I was there just to make up numbers," Bulut said.

 

Disillusioned and dejected, he decided to return home, even if that meant being near those who once sat by his side in custody.

 

"I came back to work with [Tony] Popovic again because he gets the best out of me; we have an understanding," Bulut said. "Our understanding is second to none, he's like a father figure to me."

 

The understanding and straight talking of Popovic was reinforced by one of the biggest names in sport - Sonny Bill Williams.

 

"Me and Sonny, we've been hanging out. You know, Sonny? Sonny Bill? Top bloke," Bulut said.

 

Both athletes are managed by cousins Salem Sawda and Khoder Nasser, and after hearing Bulut was returning to play in Australia, the New Zealand rugby union star offered to become a mentor.

 

"He grabbed me and pulled me aside and said. 'Mate, at your age I had all these things, I had all the women in the world, I had this, I had that but my heart was empty. Just focus on your football and get rid of these people'," Bulut said.

 

There's a sense of elation with every text message Bulut receives from Williams. It's prompted a sense of greater purpose in his life and the realisation that if he falls back into his previous habits, it won't just be him that's affected.

 

"I've got a family to look after, I've got a little brother and sister that look up to me as a role model but if I fail, my family fails," Bulut said. "I want to do the best even for my mother, I don't want her to work anymore. I'm trying to do my best to look after my family. At the end of the day, nobody has made it in our family."

 

The previous image of Bulut won't go away quickly, especially with the stories inked from his hands to his cheeks but his focus has shifted from feuds to football and family. A life once void of guidance is suddenly filled with an abundance and with such heavyweight support, Bulut says he won't fall again.

 

"I've got all the talent in the world but what's always put me back is my mind. That's what I'm working with, once that's clear then I will be unstoppable," he said.

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tardotz

tardotz

Posted
Posted

So, any truth to the rumour that Bulut went walk about after the Jets game? Didnt show up to recovery or training?

If it's true than I wouldn't expect anything less than him getting dropped.

Is he finished? I guess that will depend on his attitude and how he reacts.

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toonarmy

toonarmy

Posted
Posted

He's as finished as Bruno was finished

 

Popa didn't drop bruno, he dropped himself by poor games and probably poor at training

 

Popa didn't put bruno back in. He worked / trained his way back into the team by having the right attitude at training (if he moped around like saba did, he'd be gone too)

 

It's all up to bulut - no one is giving him the treatment , he's getting what he deserved - and he'll get another chance if deserves it . It's up to him

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Erebus

Erebus

Posted
Posted (edited)

So many rumours floating around lol

 

The most plausible one is his performance at training during the week and Popa wanting more.

 

edit: btw, Bruno reminds me of La Rocca in S1. Came here, expected to play, was dropped to Youth Team because he wasn't putting in the effort. Finally got his chance and ended up pushing Mooy out of the starting XI and become a key cog in our success.

Edited by Erebus
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