Watching the dregs of a Marlboro lose themselves in a slate grey Welsh sky at half-time, it occurred to me that occasionally — particularly in recent weeks at this exact juncture of the game — Jesse Marsch can feel like a test of faith sent from God. To be fair, Leeds in the FA Cup has a similar vibe. Together, that’s quite the mix.

In the Bible’s book of Job, our protagonist’s belief in God is tested. How much agony can one man take before he gives up his faith?

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