Winger Michael Jacobs hopes he can cement a starting place in Derby County side
MICHAEL Jacobs is aiming to stake a claim for a regular place in the Derby County starting line-up between now and the end of the season.
The winger was recalled to Nigel Clough's side for Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers at Pride Park after England Under-21 international midfielder Will Hughes was ruled out by a groin injury.
-
Michael Jacobs
Jacobs set up Jamie Ward's 81st-minute equaliser to earn the Rams a point.
And with Hughes possibly missing today's trip to promotion-chasing Watford, the former Northampton Town wide man could get another chance to impress.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
"It was good to start against Bolton," said Jacobs.
"It's been a bit of an on-off season for me. I've been in and then I've been out.
"The boys have been doing well lately, so I've had to be patient again.
"But, hopefully, I can take my chance if I get picked again."
Since joining Derby from Northampton last summer, Jacobs has made 33 first-team appearances, 19 of them coming off the bench.
Before the Bolton game, his previous starts had been in the 3-1 League win over Middlesbrough on New Year's Day and the 5-0 FA Cup third round victory over Tranmere Rovers.
However, he was left out of the next game, away to Brighton & Hove Albion – and seven substitute appearances followed.
"We went to Brighton with a game plan and I wasn't included," said the 21-year-old.
"But when you've been left out of the team, you can't be moaning about it.
"When you get the opportunity to come on in the second half or at any stage, you've got to make sure you produce a positive performance. That's what I've tried to do when I come on."
A run of six wins in their last eight League games has propelled Watford up to third in the Championship table.
Gianfranco Zola's cosmopolitan side were thumped 5-1 at Pride Park at the start of September – but have made significant progress since then.
"I watched Watford play Palace on the TV recently and they looked a really good side," said Jacobs.
"They produced a good performance and you can see that the players they've got there – the likes of (Matej) Vydra – have been on fire.
"Our last game against them was that long ago that I don't think it will really come into our minds.
"As a player, you only tend to look back to your last game.
"When we beat them, you could tell they hadn't really gelled at that point.
"Now they're scoring lots of goals and not conceding many.
"We've got to go there with a game plan to contain them – and then look to play our stuff.
"It should be a good game between two good footballing sides."
Comments