Omar Bugiel has our first League Two game of the season against Grimsby Town firmly in his sights – but when our striker isn’t leading the line for the Dons he’s taking on a number of other roles!
Number one is that of being a father to young children, with the frontman using family time as a way of escaping the pressures and demands of professional football.
Our striker also enjoys his commutes to and from work with teammate Jake Reeves – with podcasts and post-match conversations helping to pass the time during car journeys.
And to top things off there’s also some culinary skills in the offing, with Omar revealing all about a new ‘Come Dine With Me’ initiative for the squad.
As part of a wide ranging interview he also talks about the art of goalscoring, competition for places and the drive to keep playing on in the game.
Watch and read the full interview below!
A HEADED GOAL FOR YOU IN OUR FINAL PRE-SEASON GAME. YOU MADE IT LOOK SIMPLE, JUST TALK US THROUGH IT.
I remember that they were trying to play out from the back and we managed to get the ball back. We got it out wide – the gaffer always tells me to get in the box. The hope is that we deliver the ball in the right area so that I can attack it.
I tried to hit the target and luckily it went in. I made it look simple but it was actually harder than it looks!
AS A STRIKER, WHAT ARE THE MOST SATISFYING GOALS FOR YOU?
I would take Ali’s one all day! On the line, just tap it in. But they all count, so I don’t mind. The hard ones look simple but it is always hard to score them and then the easier ones sometimes become the harder ones to finish. I try to mix it up – hopefully there will be a few this year!
HOW MUCH ARE YOU DRIVEN ON BY THE COMPETITION FOR PLACES?
The gaffer has always said that we have to earn our shirt. If you play well you stay in, if you don’t someone else is going to get the chance. As a team we want to support each other if we’re doing well and if that person comes on they have to be coming in to win the game rather than being upset about being left out.
It’s all that matters for me personally. It’s what I’ll be doing all season if I play or not. I’ll make sure that we stick together. We’re going to need everyone because injuries happen.
YOU SEEM PRETTY CHILLED OUT OFF THE PITCH. WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I’m just with my kids all the time! They’re off school at the moment, so we’ll be heading down to the park for the day to take my mind off football.
And then on Friday it’ll be a different scenario as I’ll be back in an environment where you want to be competitive. We want to win all the time, so when there’s a chance to switch off you have to do it.
WHAT ARE YOU LIKE AFTER A RESULT?
I always have enough time to think about it because it’s an hour and a half drive. I share with Reevesy, so there’s plenty we can talk about but by the time we get home I think we’re over it.
There’s always discussions about things we can improve on and where we’ve made mistakes. It’s going to be interesting as he’s going to be skipper going forward and ultimately I’m looking to get as much advice off him as possible off him. He’s only a few months older than me but he’s been around the block.
DID YOU KNOW JAKE BEFORE YOU MOVED HERE?
I’d played against him a few times. I didn’t realise he was living just 10 minutes around the corner! He will tell you what I’m all about. We get on well nowadays.
WHO PICKS THE MUSIC IN THE CAR OUT OF THE TWO OF YOU?
We’re listening to a podcast at the moment. ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ – it’s very good. We’ll get through that and then see what we’ve got. I think there’s 20 or 30 episodes.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF JAKE BEING MADE CAPTAIN?
I think he sets an example. What he achieved last year with Stevenage is a real credit to him and them. They were united and everyone worked for each other. That’s why he’s been brought in here and been made captain.
I want to touch on Alex Woodyard who was the captain last year. I got on with him well and I played against him a few times. It’s a shame that it didn’t work out here for him. Things change, it happens in football and with that people leave – I wish him well.
YOU SPOKE ABOUT BEING A HARDWORKING FORWARD WHEN YOU SIGNED. DO YOU ENJOY DOING THE ‘DIRTY’ SIDE OF THE GAME?
Yeah I don’t mind it! It allows other players like Ali and Josh (Davison) to do the things that they’re really good at. They can get in behind and run off me. It’s something we want this year – if plan A and plan B don’t work, can we go more direct?
I need to make sure I win my headers, hold the ball up and get other people involved. ‘m looking forward to it, it’s going to be tough because me and Pelly (Harry Pell) are competing for the same position. We will motivate each other in order to make sure we both do the same thing.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP PLAYING FOOTBALL? YOU’VE BEEN IN THE GAME A LONG TIME – EVER SINCE YOU CAME TO ENGLAND. JUST GIVE SUPPORTERS AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE.
It started when I was 16. I fell out of the game, I didn’t play for a whole year and I moved over here. I gave it a go again in England and then year by year I saw the progress and enjoyed it more and more. I have a young family – it’s my reason to keep going until the end. It could be over next week.
I need to make sure I make the most out of it. Of course I have to enjoy it otherwise what’s the point in doing it.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND PLAYING WITH THE OTHER FORWARDS THAT WE HAVE IN THE SQUAD?
I find it a little bit tough! They’re sharp, they’re strong and they just don’t stop! They’re not pushy but they make me make sure that I keep up with them. They’re a little bit younger than me, let’s be honest!
I try my best. Even with things like recovery, we’re all on the same page – we go to the gym together, make sure that we’re together as a team.
Even last night I went round to see the boys and we had a ‘Come Dine With Me’ session. Johno (Ryan Johnson) dished up some food for us!
WHAT DID HE COOK?
He made chicken wraps. With a bit of salsa on top and salad. No one complained. I’d definitely go round again!
WHAT SCORE WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM IN COME DINE WITH ME?
Probably a four! There was no starter and no dessert. It was just a main. It’s not (the full package) yet. We’re going to do it on a weekly basis when we do have a match to help get the boys together.
WE’LL HAVE TO COME AND FILM THAT, IT WOULD BE GREAT! HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR EXCITEMENT AHEAD OF SATURDAY?
It’s a strange one because the first one is where you see where you’re at. You know where you’re at after five to 10 games. We take it game by game and try to reduce the pressure on ourselves. It’s difficult to have the first one away but hopefully we will get the result.
A VISIT TO SUTTON JUST AROUND THE CORNER TOO. ARE YOU EXPECTING A GOOD RECEPTION?
I’m looking forward to it! It’s up to them about what they want to say. I’m just going to play my game, I want to go there and get a result!