Woodgate Appreciation thread

[Beni]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=816038&sec=england&cc=5739&cc=5739

Harry Redknapp fears Jonathan Woodgate will be forced to retire if one final operation fails to cure his nightmare groin problem.

Jonathan Woodgate looks set to endure another injury hit season.
Woodgate, who has been plagued by injuries for much of his career, made only three appearances last season and has not played at all since November.
Specialist surgery in both America and Australia has proved unsuccessful and Redknapp believes the 30-year-old is close to having to call it quits.
He said: ''They're talking about having an operation for Jon now. That's his last chance. Well, probably. His last resort, I think, will be an op.''
Former England defender Woodgate will once again travel abroad for the procedure.
Redknapp said: ''Someone abroad's going to do it. The physio's taken him. He's been all around the world looking for a cure.''

Such an amazing defender when fully fit, and right up there with King, Terry, and Ferdinand as amongst the best defenders in the league.

I love watching him play, and hope this is operation will be a success and we can see him grace our shirt for a few more years.

Will always love and remember him for this 1 minute 26 in:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxZRuOiZfLw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLcBq-Jh-eI&feature=related

 

[Son_Of]

great player and presence. i'm not optimistic for his future though

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

When we signed him I thought "what have we signed another sicknote for?!?!?!" but then he had that season/18 months (?) where he was fully fit and hardly missed a game.

In that time he completely won me over. Comfortable on the ball, solid in the tackle, positionally top notch!

I sometimes think "if only Woodgate and King were fully fit, with no problems..." we would have the finest centre back pairing in the Premier League, no two ways about that.

"If only" is all it is though. It doesn't look good for Woody for the future I hope we can somehow keep him involved with the club in some capacity (coaching if he fancies that sort of thing? I'm sure he could pass his experience and quality on to the younger players)

 

[Legacy]

A fully fit central defence pairing of Woodgate and King would've been the best partnership in domestic and international football, in my honest opinion.

It's such a shame that two truly outstanding defenders have had their careers hampered with injuries.

 

[Goldman]

He was a fantastic player for us, and a key reason why i saw us lift the CC. The first trophy id ever seen us win live, and against Chelsea,i wont forget that night

 

[PT]

If he can't play I imagine he'll go back home and coach the kids at Boro while he gets his licences.

 

[DJS]

Real shame as he was a real top quality centre back, always far superior to Rio.

Just a shame the injuries took their toll, although if they hadn't he probably would have been established at a top top team and we wouldn't have seen him in a Spurs shirt.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

Quality.

 

[Jack2]

My favourite defender for years and was really excited when he signed for us. He has been great for Spurs and it is very sad if he can't play anymore. A big big loss!! I really really hope he recovers and can still play!!

All the best Jonathan!!!

 

[jonnyp]

Outstanding defender, such a shame.

 

[guate]

Always liked Woody, even during his Leeds days and IMHO there is no doubt that he was one of the finest centre backs to have graced the Premier League over the last 10 years. A true pedigree particulary when compared to gormless Ferdinand and thug Terry.
Such a shame that his playing days now appear over and with all the good will in the world I sense this last op. smacks of desperation.
Hopefully he'll want to stay on in some type of coaching capacity.

 

[SpurSince57]

Looks like Goodnight Vienna to me, too, which is a huge shame—and I have a nasty suspicion that even if this op works something else will get him; he's had that sort of career, sad to say.

 

[Azrael]

Good player, but saw this coming a mile off when we signed him.

 

[Zammo]

Whilst playing for Real Madrid he once scored 10 out of 10 for 4 games running. Admittedly that was probably given to him by Marca.

 

[Pringle]

A top top player who we are lucky to have had at our club - as someone else pointed out, if he hadnt had such bad luck with injuries then we wouldnt have got near him. I hope so much that this op cures him as a fit Woodgate would walk into our team

 

[Lilbaz]

Where's the shotgun?

Shame for Spurs, can't say I feel too sorry for him though. £70k a week and a super model sucking his cock every night, it could be worse.

 

[$hoguN]

Fantastic player its such a shame we never got to see him and King form a solid partnership with both being 100% fit

 

[alamo]

link of the CC final highlights

still get a shiver every time i see his header go in

mms://video.premiumtv.co.uk/video/carlingcup/final_review_hi.wmv