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August 4, 2002
(Sunday) from Jonathan Woodgate Club
It's easy to Tel
Woody is England class now
TERRY VENABLES can
feel a lot easier about Rio Ferdinand's £30million
walk-out after watching a performance of composure and class from
comeback kid Jonathan Woodgate.
The 22-year-old centre-back was a relaxed and dominant figure at the
back, putting all the troubled times behind him as he smoothed out
danger immaculately with his pace and judgment in a competitive test
at Oakwell.
And the Leeds manager showed his approval of the top-quality show,
praising Woodgate as well as his partner, new skipper Dominic Matteo.
"Jonathan looked good and very confident," said a smiling
Venables. "They looked very impressive together and I'm really
pleased with them. In fact I'm pleased all round."
Venables has put on record his 'disappointment' at the way Ferdinand
broke a five-year contract after 20 months to desert Elland Road for
Old Trafford but he added: "Rio's going could have been worse.
"It could have left a big hole in the team, but it hasn't because we
have good players."
Leeds fans believe Woodgate will be challenging the Manchester United
record buy for his England shirt this season.
They chanted for an international call-up more than once after three
pieces of top-class defending from Woodgate in the first half.
Twice the centre-back showed his alertness to snuff out danger from
Barnsley's pacy front men Bruce Dyer and Mike Sheron, and he also
produced a long run in possession from the back to set up an attack.
Venables wants him to step up in this way and join in the midfield,
as part of his new Leeds method - just he wanted Rio to do. And
Woodgate definitely has the touch on the ball to do it.
Venables showed another sign of the new shape of the side by sticking
with the three-striker set-up used on their successful Far East tour,
with Robbie Keane the target man and Alan Smith and Harry Kewell
tucked in behind. But it was a defender who got the winner in a game
dominated by the Premiership giants.
England right-back Danny Mills was allowed far too much room and took
advantage, striding forward to beat keeper Andy Marriott in the 53rd
minute.
Relegated Barnsley had their chances, and Mike Sheron wasted a clear
65th-minute opening after being sent in by substitute Clyde Wijnhard.
Sheron was one-on-one with Paul Robinson but slid his finish too
close to the keeper, who blocked and then did it again from the
rebound.
Robinson also had to be alert to keep out substitute Leo Bertos right
at the end, saving at the near post.
Marriott had to be sharp at the other end to smother at Keane's feet
twice and then saved again in the second half from the Irish World
Cup hero.
But it was Smith who looked the main danger, twice heading just over
in the second half and drawing a top save from Marriott with a drive
just before half-time.
Venables would not comment on starting places, but Smith may have
booked the position on opening day.
"He's doing well, he's flying already," said Venables about the home-
grown England Under 21 striker.
But the Leeds boss added there had been no breakthrough in the
transfer market.
"We're working hard to get what I want but there are no new faces
yet. I have to get a balanced squad."
Keeper Nigel Martyn, who clashed with Venables after declining to go
on the club's Far East tour, played in the reserves.
BARNSLEY: Marriott - Austin (Mulligan 78mins), Gibbs, Morgan, Flynn
(Crooks 78mins) - Gorre, Lumsdon (Bertos 62mins), Jones, Betsy -
Sheron (Rankin 73mins), Dyer (Wijnhard 62mins).
LEEDS: Robinson - Mills, Harte, Woodgate, Matteo (Radebe 62mins) -
Dacourt (Wilcox 62mins), Bakke, Bowyer - Smith (Johnson 62mins),
Kewell, Keane.
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