March 16 2006

Jobi McAnuff

Crystal Palace winger Jobi McAnuff feels the belief shown in him by boss Iain Dowie has been a major factor why he has come to the fore this season, by Stuart Pink.

The 24-year-old has been in majestic form of late, scoring two goals in two games and cementing his place on the Palace right wing thanks to a string of influential performances.

But the winger admits that unlike previous managers he's played under, Dowie has been honest with him from the moment he signed and encourages him to express himself on the pitch.

McAnuff said: "He's a top manager. All the boys get on well with him. He's an honest man and gives it to you straight down the middle so you've got to respect that.

"Even if you don't like what he's said you've just got to work hard and get back in the team.

"His demand is that you work hard, that's his ethic. Then he encourages you to go out and express yourself."

The winger admitted that he did not receive the same treatment from Alan Pardew during his six-month spell at West Ham.

McAnuff joined the Hammers after impressing in a young Wimbledon side that included Nigel Reo Coker and Palace team-mate Mikele Leigertwood shortly before they became the MK Dons.

Although Reo Coker went on to established himself at Upton Park, McAnuff admitted that he never knew where he stood with Pardew.

McAnuff said: "It was hard to work out what he thought of me. Judging by what happened it looked like he didn't think much of me.

"But I was pleased with what I did at West Ham. When I came on I thought I did all right. But that's what happens in football, sometimes things just don't work out."

McAnuff left the Hammers in the summer of 2004 and enjoyed a successful year with Cardiff City where made 43 appearances in just under a year.

But returning to his south London roots last summer seems to have given that extra edge to McAnuff's game and Palace are feeling the benefit on the pitch.

McAnuff said: "I'm pretty pleased with how I'm playing and I'm glad to be getting in the goals recently.

"I had a good year last year at Cardiff but wasn't scoring as many. It's just about doing it consistently, which is what I hope to do here."

McAnuff hopes to have a prolonged spell at Palace which will provide him with the stability he has had so little of during his career.

McAnuff added: "That's definitely one of the reasons why I came back to London and to Palace to progress with my career and get in the Premiership. I want to stay at Palace for quite a while."

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