Cameroon hotshot Joseph Job believes he can score the goals to keep the big guns out of the Boro side this season. And the 26-year-old striker is hoping he has now done enough to make it difficult for boss Steve McClaren to leave him out of the team for the Premiership opener against Newcastle United. Job netted Boro’s third goal in the 3-1 friendly victory over La Liga side Real Mallorca in front of visiting friends and family at the Riverside last night.
He took full advantage of the opportunity, operating alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the absence of hamstring injury victim Mark Viduka.
The goal was his third in five pre-season matches and Job stressed: « It’s a great sign I think that I have started to score goals.
« I have been the top scorer in the pre-season games and that is nice.
« If I get a chance to play I will always try to play my game and score goals. I think I deserve to play but that is up to the manager. »
Job admits that his pre-season strikes will count for nothing if he fails to do the business in the Premiership should he get the nod to deputise for the suspended Viduka in the first two games against Newcastle and Arsenal.
However, the African frontman will fight hard to keep his place in the side and says he cannot worry about the threat of proven Premiership striker Viduka waiting in the wings.
« Obviously there are good strikers, good players here and that is good for the club. Having a good selection of strikers is good going into a big season for the club.
« We are going into the UEFA Cup, Carling Cup, FA Cup and the league so it is important to have a strong squad. There is lots of competition now.
« This competition can bring the best out of me and I hope I can keep doing the business that will make it hard for the manager to leave me out of the team. »
Job added: « I think I can continue to learn from players like Jimmy and Mark.
« We have young strikers at the club, including myself, who can learn from the likes of these players because you can see how good they are. »
Bolo Zenden and Gaizka Mendieta also netted last night as Boro took control of the game in the second half.
Boro scored their three goals in a commanding 24-minute spell and, despite a late consolation for the Spaniards from Miguel Nadal, the home side were never really threatened in the second period.
Boro coach Steve Harrison was satisfied with the performance, saying: « It was far better than the game against Hansa Rostock.
« We worked on a few things that happened against Hansa – we worked on our shape, we worked on the pressing, we worked on our unit against a very good side that put us under pressure in the first half.
« Real Mallorca’s movement was excellent up front. They were well organised, fit lads, strong boys.
« So it was a very good work-out, a good progression from our previous games. »
Harrison was pleased with the way in which the new boys Ray Parlour and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink gelled.
He said: « When you get very good players they know exactly what they’re doing and they know their responsibilities, they respond to that and they work off each other.
« As the game went on, they got better and better and they finished the game very strongly.
« The fitness showed and the movement second half was very good. »
Boro have officially thanked the 19,201 crowd for buying their tickets in advance last night, which avoided the congestion outside the stadium.
Dave Allan, the club’s communications manager, said: « We appreciate the show of support and also that the fans took the trouble to buy their tickets ahead of the game.
« It was one of our biggest ever attendances for a friendly and it went very well for all concerned. »
Barry King, Evening Gazette
