Cameroon’s Joseph-Desire Job is a man who can appreciate the value of a second chance. The striker looked to be heading out of Middlesbrough when he was sent on loan to French side Metz two seasons ago after failing to make his mark at the Riverside Stadium.
Yet Job will hope to line up against Bolton in Sunday’s Carling Cup Final at Cardiff with the express aim of firing the Teessiders to their first-ever major trophy.
The 26-year-old is in arguably his best run of form for Steve McClaren’s side since former boss Bryan Robson brought him to England from Lens in 2000, but the Cameroonian insists there is no secret to his recent success.
« I think the manager has improved my game by playing me, it’s as simple as that, » said Job.
« Before he came, I didn’t really get the opportunities to play.
« Once he came, he gave me these chances to play and every time he gave me a chance to play, I’ve tried to give back his trust.
« The manager has improved my game by playing me – it’s as simple as that »
« When I was away on loan, it was a very difficult time. But the most important thing is, once I came back here I tried to prove to the club that I could get a chance maybe to play, and that’s what happened. »
After spending nearly two months out following a knee injury sustained in training in October, Job has established himself as McClaren’s first-choice striker upon his return.
He has nudged himself ahead of record signing Massimo Maccarone, Szilard Nemeth, Michael Ricketts and the injured Malcolm Christie in a 4-4-1-1 system which makes the best use of inspirational Brazilian Juninho.
Boro have struggled for goals for much of the campaign to date, although Job has contributed five, including the winner in a famous 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, and helped Juninho to establish himself as leading scorer with eight.
And Job is relishing the chance to get his hands on a winners’ medal at the Millennium Stadium, where Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha will be one of his Bolton rivals.
« It’s a great chance for any player to play in a final and it’s a good opportunity for me, as for almost all the players, » he said.
If Boro are to succeed on Sunday, they will need big performances from players such as Juninho and Spain’s Gaizka Mendieta who could supply Job with the ammunition he needs to hurt Bolton.
« When you’re playing up front, you know at any time they can give you some very good balls so it’s a very nice feeling to play alongside them, » the Cameroonian said.
