Noel Whelan yesterday insisted that a £2m move to Middlesbrough will confirm that his bad-boy days are over.

The striker brushed aside suggestions he has replaced the departed Paul Gascoigne as Bryan Robson's resident problem boy at the Riverside.

"Things have changed now, I've grown up along the way, I'm more experienced and I'm here to do a job," said the 25-year-old.

Whelan had problems on and off the pitch in a controversial five years at Coventry but he vowed: "Everyone has done silly things and that was all a long time ago - I've changed.

"I'm married now with kids, and that alters your thinking and lifestyle.

"Gordon Strachan used to shout at me a lot but that was when I was younger. The only shouting Bryan Robson will have to do is if I'm not getting it right on the pitch.

"I needed a new start and a new challenge and I'm very happy to be here. I hope we can win something this season."

Robson is demanding more goals from the former Leeds United player, with the manager confirming he had been bought as a striker.

"The gaffer wants more goals, I want more myself and I am capable of it," added Whelan.

"This is an exciting squad and that will help my goals tally.

"I prefer to play as a striker, though I've played in different positions, wide and in midfield. I'll do whatever is best for the team.

"The gaffer has suggested he can make me into an England player and, if I produce what he has bought me for, maybe I can push my way into the squad."

Boro also confirmed the £3m signing of Joseph Desire Job from Lens, leaving Robson with seven strikers.

"We played with three strikers in away games last season and got good results with it," said the Boro boss. "But these two can play wide and in midfield as well.

"It's a lot of strikers, but now everyone knows you can't slack. If you do, you're out of the side.

"This is the strongest squad I've ever had. We've got big names and we've had them before but this time they're backed by a big squad, unlike the time when Fabrizio Ravanelli was here."

But Robson revealed he is still in the market for players. "I would like a defender and another midfielder, though things are shaping up nicely anyway. If I can get them, good, but I'm happy with what I've got now.

"We're not going to be one of the very top teams but I'm hopeful we can compete with the group just below the Manchester Uniteds. My message to the fans is that we are progressing and taking the club forward."

The Boro boss revealed that chief coach Gordon McQueen discovered 22-year-old Job by accident.

"Gordon went to watch another player but when he came back all he could talk about was Joseph," he said. "We were surprised when Lens let us take him on trial but he has impressed us. He can play in different positions, too."

But Job said his strength was as a goal- scorer. "That is what I love to do and I hope I can do that for Middlesbrough," said the Cameroon international.

"I like to play as a main striker but I just hope to show my ability wherever I play. I'm excited about being here, it is a big club."

Boro's new signings - with Christian Karembeu, Paul Okon and Mark Crossley - will play in Robbie Mustoe's testimonial against Borussia Dortmund at the Riverside, tomorrow.

Mustoe is handing over a percentage of his testimonial fund to children's charities on Teesside.

Three of a kind: Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson with new boys Noel Whelan (top) and Joseph Desire Jo