Bradford & District | Archive | 2002 | September | 27
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 27th Sep 2002.
Claus Jorgensen muzzled Gary McAllister and now he wants a crack at Paul Merson.
The play-anywhere Dane was the surprise choice to man-mark Coventry's playmaker on Tuesday. He did such a good job that Jorgensen is hoping to be employed in a similar role against the former Aston Villa and Arsenal genius Merson at Portsmouth tomorrow.
"You don't have to be the best player in the world to mark someone," he said. "It's quite a simple job but the discipline is staying disciplined and not going charging up field.
"I think there was only once or twice on Tuesday that I switched off. But I sensed McAllister was getting a bit frustrated - it's difficult to play when there's somebody right there behind you all the time.
"It would be great to get the chance to do it against Merson. All the reports I hear say that he has been fantastic this season so it would be a real challenge.
"But it's just nice to be involved again because it's been very frustrating for me. With all that we've been through in the summer I've tried to be professional but it's sad that I've had to start from zero."
Jorgensen knows he still faces a battle to win over a doubting manager. The Dane, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, has rejected approaches from Luton and Hull as he vows to make the First Division grade.
After a week in which he set up Michael Proctor's late, late equaliser against Burnley and then sorted out McAllister, Jorgensen feels he is worth a decent run.
He said: "I don't feel I've let anyone down when I've played but at times it just seems that I'm the only person in the club that believes in me.
"The fans have been behind me but wherever I've played I've always had a good relationship with the supporters. I think that's because I try to be honest - I have failed as much as anyone but I try to keep working.
"It's especially true with supporters in England but you can be the biggest star around and if you don't show you are trying, then they will go after you. I think they appreciate that I always go out there and give everything.
"I'm not afraid of doing different things and being able to adapt can be good. I'm used to surprises so I'm not going to be fussy about being given a new role.
"They say there's a first time for everything and I have played all over."
Jorgensen is familiar with the south coast having made more than 100 league appearances in two years at Bournemouth.
Two of his former Cherries team-mates, Eddie Howe and Richard Hughes, are now at Fratton Park although both are sidelined tomorrow through injury.
He added: "Playing the league leaders away would be a very good way to start my season off properly.
"Portsmouth got their first defeat last week which wasn't good news. They'll want to bounce straight back."
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