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January 25, 2003
(Saturday)
Squad want Woody
to stay
LEEDS must do what
they can to keep Jonathan Woodgate at the club,
his Elland Road team-mates and pals are urging.
The United players are all in agreement that should Woodgate leave
the club, whether it be for Newcastle or anyone else, they will have
lost a great player who has yet to fulfill his potential.
Their pleas come as Newcastle midfielder and one time Leeds target,
Kieron Dyer, revealed he has been ringing his former England Under-21
and now full England team-mate Woodgate to encourage him to accept a
move to the Magpies.
The United players will launch their own counter-offensive to do what
they can though to persuade 23-year-old Woody to stay.
"I think he's a great defender," said skipper Dominic Matteo.
"I like playing with him because we're both similar types of players,
we both like to play the ball from the back and it would be nice to
play some more games with him," he said on Radio Aire.
Keeper Nigel Martyn has watched the Middlesbrough-born star develop
through the Academy, reserves and played with him when he made his
debut against Nottingham Forest at the City ground in October 1998.
Martyn says that after Rio Ferdinand's departure, Woodgate leaving
would be another big blow.
"He would be a great loss to us," said Nigel.
"He's a great player and that would be disappointing after losing Rio
as well, they are your two better centre halves, but if Newcastle do
buy him then they have a very good player."
With no new players having arrived at Elland Road so far during the
transfer window, Martyn is concerned that the strength of the squad
will be severely compromised should Woody go.
"The financial situation seems to dictate at the moment that we do
need to get some funds and as it's shown everybody, no matter who it
is, if they become a target then they will be thought about.
"But if we sell these players now and then get a couple of injuries,
we're down to the bare bones really. Lucas is in the team now and
he's doing well, so I think they'll be wrapping him up in cotton wool
after every game if Woodgate does go."
Newcastle's Kieron Dyer may have spoken out of turn over his contact
with Woodgate, and Terry Venables is just one person who will be
hoping he can prevent him and Woodgate from becoming team-mates as
well as good friends.
Dyer said: "Jonathan is a great friend of mine and I've been on the
phone to him all the time, telling him to come," Dyer said.
"Two years ago, when there were stories about Leeds being after me, I
had him and Rio Ferdinand telling me to go there, but now the roles
are reversed. Woody would take us up another level. He's a massive
player."
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Venebles reveals frustration
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Venebles battles for Woodgate
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