|
September 3,
2002 (Tuesday)
Woodgate and
Bowyer out of wilderness
FOR the first time
since the Don Revie era, Leeds United have five
players in a full England squad.
Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer, Danny Mills, Alan Smith and Paul
Robinson have all made it into Sven Goran Eriksson's party for the
friendly against Portugal at Villa Park on Saturday.
After three years in the international wilderness, both Woodgate and
Bowyer have an opportunity to begin new chapters in careers which,
thus far, have been significant for all the wrong reasons.
Mills is looking to cement his position as England's first choice
right-back after an impressive World Cup while the door is open for
striker Smith and goalkeeper Robinson to step up after successful
spells with the Under-21 side.
It looks to be the end of the road for Nigel Martyn's international
career ¡V omitted after losing his place in the Leeds goal to Robinson
this season ¡V and there is also disappointment for winger Nick
Barmby, who missed out on the World Cup but still believes he has
something to offer at international level.
Yet all in all, it was a memorable day for Leeds and confirmation
that the club is as close to recapturing the glory days as at any
other time since the Revie era.
For the record, former England manager Alf Ramsey selected six Leeds
players in his squad for the 1970 Mexico World Cup; Terry Cooper,
Norman Hunter, Paul Madeley, Jack Charlton, Allan Clarke and Paul
Reaney (although he had to pull out with a broken leg).
Eriksson's decisions to recall Woodgate and give a first call-up to
Bowyer are arguably among the most controversial any England manager
has had to consider.
Rarely have the names of two English players been so engraved in the
non-footballing public's consciousness.
After standing trial for an alleged assault on a student in Leeds
city centre, Woodgate was convicted of affray and ordered to complete
100 hours of community service. Bowyer was cleared of all charges.
The Football Association, in their wisdom, decided both should be
banned from playing for England until after this summer's World Cup
and yesterday Eriksson admitted their presence in Japan and Korea
would have caused more problems than it solved.
He now feels that the same players are too important to leave out as
he looks to build a side that he hopes will not only qualify but win
the European Championships in two years.
Woodgate, who refused to comment on his call-up at the club's
training ground yesterday, later said in a statement issued by his
agent: "I am naturally delighted to be back in the England squad and
even to be considered in the same class as the great players who went
to this year's World Cup."
Vowing to repay those who had stood by him during the last few years,
he added: "The strength of the squad is better than ever and I am
under no illusions that I will have to play really well to be
considered for a place in the team.
"I would like to publicly thank the people who have demonstrated
their faith in me and supported me through a difficult period, and I
hope I can reward their faith."
Eriksson insists he had no qualms over calling up Woodgate or Bowyer.
"I think that if we had picked them for the World Cup squad there
would have been a lot of discussion and confusion around the national
team. That's one of the reasons we didn't do that, as the reaction
could have created more problems than benefited the England team, but
I think it's time now.
"If you did something you shouldn't have done and served your
punishment that should be it. This is the case. I will treat my
children the same as I will treat football players."
Explaining his reasons for selecting the pair, he said: "I've seen
them a lot of times now. Woodgate played very well at the end of last
season. He's fit again and is a very big talent. It's the same with
Lee Bowyer. He has a lot of energy and he can play in any position
across midfield."
On Smith, whose improved discipline has helped further his
international claims, Eriksson said: "He's a good player who has done
very well for the Under-21s. David Platt has said he is one of the
best players, so it's normal that he steps up and I hope he will do
very well for us. He is another player who can play up front and he
can play outside right or as a second striker, so he is very useful."
With veteran Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman excluded but likely to
return, Robinson and West Ham United's David James are the only two
goalkeepers in the squad.
Come the first Euro qualifier against Slovakia in October,
competition for places will be greater as injured members of the
World Cup squad such as Darius Vassell, Paul Scholes, Robbie Fowler,
Sol Campbell and Gary Neville look to get back on the scene.
For now, however, the spotlight falls on less experienced players and
for Woodgate and Bowyer this brings a taste of national exposure
which is far better than anything they have been used to in the past.
¡@
Next article:
Relief for England pair
¡@Previous
article:
"Woodgate for England" anger
<< Back to New and Articles
¡@
¡@
|
