BOLO ZENDEN wants to ensure Middlesbrough's historic 2003-04 campaign ends with a bang rather than a whimper.
With eight games to go in the Premiership, Boro have already secured a place in the UEFA Cup next season, for the first time, having won the Carling Cup in February.
But, not content with being part of the club's solitary major trophy triumph, Zenden is hoping to help the Riverside outfit achieve their highest ever Premiership finish of eighth.
Sitting 11th, following Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton, a place in the top six is not mathematically out of sight for Steve McClaren's men.
Boro are seven points adrift of sixth-placed Birmingham with a possible 24 still to play for and it is not inconceivable that they could also top their biggest ever top-flight points haul of 52.
Zenden, who has been told by McClaren that he is wanted to stay on Teesside beyond the season long loan deal, hopes they can win their third successive home game against Bolton this weekend.
"To qualify for the UEFA Cup was what we wanted at the start of the season," said Zenden, who is on international duty with Holland at the moment. "We are not finished yet and we have to set new targets.
"We have to be careful not to fall back because we have to finish higher than we did last season (11th). This can be the best season for Middlesbrough ever.
"We won the Cup which is an achievement in itself and to be playing next year in the UEFA Cup takes us to another level.
"If you can keep your staff and keep the people at the club then there's definitely every chance that this club can keep improving."
Zenden was part of the Boro side that drew at Everton on Saturday when a freak late goal from the visitors earned a point.
Confusion reigned over who to actually credit with the equaliser with replays suggesting both Joseph Job and Joseph Yobo may have had the final touch.
And, in particular striker fashion, Job is claiming Yobo's clearance rebounded off him and flew beyond keeper Nigel Martyn.
"I am the man who got the last touch so I'm having the goal," said Job, who has now scored seven goals this season. "It's not too important really, the most important thing was to get the result."
The Cameroon man was partnered up front with Massimo Maccarone and the pair had Juninho, in a more withdrawn role, for support.
But, where that system grabbed five goals in the win over Birmingham the previous week, Boro struggled to find the breakthrough at Goodison Park.
Job said: "I felt better with the formation we started with, as a striker it's always better to have the support of having someone up there with you, but it didn't work out. Saturday was a frustrating day."
Boro are awaiting the results of a scan defender Ugo Ehiogu has had on the foot injury that kept him out of the trip to Everton.
Ehiogu was a late withdrawal after picking up the problem in training on Friday and was replaced by Chris Riggott in the starting line-up.
Brazilian midfielder Doriva is also due to find out how serious the groin strain he picked up in a five minute appearance against the Toffees is today.
* Raddy Antic has agreed to end his contract with Spanish Primera Liga strugglers Celta Vigo after failing to halt their slide into the relegation zone.
Antic, linked with the manager's job at Tottenham, had only been at the club for nine games.
Read more about Middlesbrough here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article