January 2

January 2, 2002 (Wednesday) from Sportinglife

Woodgate ready to be big star

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport

Leeds boss David O'Leary is convinced Jonathan Woodgate has the ability to become one of the best centre-backs in the country after witnessing him turn over a new leaf.

Since returning to the first team after Christmas, Woodgate has been a revelation, his partnership with skipper Rio Ferdinand helping to propel Leeds back to the top of the Premier League on the back of three successive clean-sheet victories, including last night's 3-0 triumph over West Ham at Elland Road.

Woodgate appears determined to make amends for the errors of his past, having been found guilty of affray and ordered to serve 100 hours' community service in relation to an assault on student Sarfraz Najeib.

The 21-year-old's willingness to simply get his head down and resume his career was then graphically illustrated by his acceptance without question of an eight-week fine of £104,000 for breaking the club's code of conduct on the night of the attack.

It was in stark contrast to the reaction of midfielder Lee Bowyer, who refused to pay his own four-week fine and was immediately transfer-listed, only to perform a U-turn just 48 hours later.

Bowyer has since been back to his inspirational best, in many respects overshadowing Woodgate who has quietly and very effectively gone about his duty for Leeds, mirroring his new-found attitude off the pitch.

As O'Leary concedes, "Woodgate's career stopped over the last two years," following the shocking incident which cast a dark cloud over the club and the player during that time.

But Woodgate, whom O'Leary once described as being "as daft as a brush" is emerging from the shadows, developing a maturity and a responsibility which is likely to lead to an England recall once he has completed his community service.

"I detect he is a quieter fella around the place, not a fella that is trying to be the village idiot and going along with all the banter," stated O'Leary.

"Yes, he still has a laugh, but he seems more serious, not only with his training, but in the dressing room. He seems to be concentrating a lot better.

"If he keeps doing all those things then he has the ability to be as good as anybody, even as good as Rio, but it's all down to him.

"It means we've two great centre-halves on our hands, and without a doubt England have as well for many years to come because, don't forget, they're both still young.

"When you're a centre-half you don't mature at that position until you're 27 or 28, that's when you're at your peak. I know because that's how I felt when I was with Arsenal.

"Even though they're young, they have done a lot and experienced a lot of big games, but there is still room for improvement, including in terms of maturity.

"But there is certainly a partnership there, one which can play at the top for many years to come. It's one which can grow and become as good as anything in the country."

Woodgate's performance in front of watching England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will have undoubtedly helped his cause, and now a place in the squad beckons for the friendly with Holland in Amsterdam in mid-February, and more importantly for the summer's World Cup finals.

Another player who could find himself on the plane to Japan is West Ham goalkeeper David James, who produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the scoreline down to a fairly respectable 3-0.

Hammers manager Glenn Roeder is convinced James, along with Leeds' Nigel Martyn, should be included in Eriksson's 23-man squad when the time comes.

"David made some great saves, but that's what he is capable of doing and that's why I bought him," said Roeder of a player with four caps to his name, including three last year.

"David is a quality goalkeeper, while at the other end there was Nigel Martyn, who is top draw as well.

"In my opinion, and with David Seaman injured at the moment, we were looking at England's two goalkeepers there last night."

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