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March 30, 2003
(Sunday)
Woody edging
Gareth in Sven's forward-thinking
NOT for the first
time in 2003, Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate and
Newcastle United's Jonathan Woodgate are going head-to-head.
But, whereas both players had their teammates backing them up earlier
this month, this evening they are going it alone - and Woodgate will
be hoping he doesn't end up being the loser like he was that night at
the Riverside.
Yesterday and for the four days prior on the training field the pair
have been trying to prove themselves as the ideal replacement for the
injured Sol Campbell in England's starting line-up against
Liechtenstein.
Rio Ferdinand is a certainty, but just who will fill the void left by
Achilles injury victim Campbell?
Both Southgate and Woodgate would do a good job, and national team
boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has no doubts about either's ability.
But if Eriksson is planning for the future, which call-ups for 17-
year-old Wayne Rooney and young striker Francis Jeffers surely
suggest, then Woodgate is the most likely to be given the nod.
Since his £9m arrival from Leeds in January, the Middlesbrough-born
defender has quickly established himself as a regular in Sir Bobby
Robson's Newcastle line-up.
In his first Premiership appearance in a black and white shirt,
Woodgate kept Chelsea's world-class striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
quiet and even matched the lightning quick Jesper Gronkjaer for pace.
Since that Saturday afternoon at St James' Park, Woodgate has not
looked back and a start against Liechtenstein, which would earn him
only his fourth cap, would be exactly what he deserves.
That is not to suggest Southgate is a lesser player because he has
been a revelation at the Riverside since joining from Aston Villa.
In fact if it is consistency Eriksson is looking for then he could
actually be swayed the Boro man's way. Southgate has hardly put a
foot wrong since making the switch to the North-East.
The same can be said for the former Villan on the international
scene. Every time he is called upon - and he has 51 caps to his name -
he has performed well, albeit for the embarrassing penalty miss in
Euro '96 which led to Germany going through to the final.
But, that apart, 32-year-old Southgate is more than capable of
steadying an England backline alongside Ferdinand.
However, despite the Boro centre-back's reliability, Eriksson must
surely opt for the 23-year-old Woodgate, who still has his best years
on his side.
Chelsea's John Terry is also in the squad for the first time, but his
inexperience on the international stage is exactly the reason why he
should be overlooked.
And the mere fact Southgate was ignored against Australia and
Macedonia in England's previous two matches acts as the biggest
indication that it could well be Woodgate who looms largest in
Eriksson's thoughts.
Next article: Bobby relying on Woodgate to halt Wayne
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Defensive headache?
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