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September 19, 2002
(Thursday)
Radebe praises
Woodgate
Lucas Radebe has paid
tribute to the way fellow Leeds defender
Jonathan Woodgate has come back after a traumatic period in his
career.
Radebe is set to partner Woodgate in the Leeds defence for Thursday's
Uefa Cup tie against Metalurg Zaporizhzhya if Dominic Matteo does not
recover from a knee injury.
"He has made a great comeback," said Radebe.
Woodgate was ordered to serve 100 hours' community service following
a long legal case resulting from an attack on a student in January
2000.
It is only this season that the 22-year-old has been able to start
putting the matter behind him, apart from the mental scars suffered
from the controversy.
And Woodgate has started to show the kind of form which saw him
touted as a future England regular before his infamous court trial.
He was selected for England's recent friendly against Portugal and
was especially impressive in Leeds' 1-0 win against Manchester
United.
"He had a terrible two years but Woody, with his character, was
always going to be great," said Radebe.
"I think since he came back you knew he was going to come back into
the team and make that [central defensive] position his own.
"That's what he has done and with a performance like [the one against
Manchester United] you cannot fault it."
Radebe also praised the impact Terry Venables has had at Elland Road
since becoming the club's manager in July 2002.
"He has come in and changed things around but the way he communicates
with the players - one-on-one, on the pitch and in training sessions -
it gives players confidence.
"When a manager comes and speaks to you it shows that he regards you
highly and that he wants to help.
"It makes it easier for us to approach him if you have any problems
and it helps to take the team forward."
Radebe may be 33 but he says he has no intention of retiring, despite
being teased about his age from his Leeds team-mates.
"I'm not going to give up," added Radebe. "No chance. Not now while I
am still enjoying myself and this club is at the beginning of new
things.
"All the time when I'm with the players they ask me how old I am and
I tell them 'you know boys, you keep doing what you do and I'll be
behind you keeping up'."
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