Written by Lauren Coupe.
Following an injury-plagued 2010 season, rumours have been circulating that Jonathan Woodgate may have to hang up his boots. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp stated a few days ago that Woody needs to prove his fitness to even be considered in the squad next season, under the new ruling of having to have a 25 man squad registered before the 1st September.
This can’t have made Woodgate feel any more secure about his future, and some would question Harry’s recent comments as being a little harsh, but I suppose it is common sense not to register a player in the squad if he’s never going to be fit enough to play. This would surely be the end for Woody, who’s had a long and often successful career in football, if he was not to play this season. He’s certainly not getting any younger, and with him coming to his 30’s now, this injury may be a big factor in him hitting the road to retirement.
It would be a hard pill to swallow for Tottenham and its fans, as they have had to endure the injury setbacks of Woody’s playing partner Ledley King, who only plays every other match due to a persistent knee injury that he can’t shake off. This also prevents King from training with the rest of the squad. How would Tottenham fans feel if Woodgate was in the same position as King and play only every so often? Or should he call it a day? I guess only time will tell…
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Essexian76
July 31, 2010 at 11:10 am
Sad news but hardly unexpected all the same! Since last season we have shuffled the pack despite injuries and scraped through somehow. Instead of chasing players in positions we’ve got in abundance, perhaps trying for players like the centre half, left back are areas where we clearly would be better served? Already we’ve suffered injuries to Ledders,Jenas, O’Hara and,Bentley, and it’s only pre-season. Now with Kick off only a fortnight away, we’ve still got to procure and hone a player or two in the most technical position within the team! Wasted time chasing Joe Cole should have been spent on getting a defender in!
modric14
July 31, 2010 at 11:34 am
i think woodgate should retire now his body is shouting it out i would like to say thanx to him for his team efforts in helping us and going on to win the carling cup in 2008 cheers mr woodgate yid army now harry bring in another top defender without injury problems coyssssssssssssssss
Ole
July 31, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Totally agree!!
Woody has seen his best days and we need to have 2Centre backs who can play all games and form a consistent safe pair in the back!!
They should have bought Hangeland or Dunn!!
Daz
July 31, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I’d tell him to have a complete rest, no training for a few months at all, and not include him this time around – but re-consider him again in January when you have the option to change players around.
Wrap him in cotton wool and hope that he proves to be a late Xmas present.
It’s the least he deserves – but if he can’t make it in January then he’s going to have to do some serious thinking, unfortunately.
Swanno
July 31, 2010 at 5:27 pm
We Spurs seem to have an unenviable history of long-term injury-plagued stars.
Think Darren Anderton.
Man, how good would Woody have been without injury?
Personally, I have a sneaking suspicion, he’ll come good from January on and have a great 4 or 5 month-run for the rest of the season.
We’ll probably need him because we have a shocking history of injury problems in that central back position.
Come on Woody! Get better, son! We need you!
Ashley Mann
August 3, 2010 at 2:04 pm
The new 25 man squad rule has definitely brought this issue to the fore. It no longer makes sense for clubs to hang on to players with long term injuries when their squads are so heavily restricted. They either leave him in, effectively making a 24 man squad, or leave him out, meaning he couldn’t play even if he does regain fitness.
Either way, Tottenham now face paying his vast wages for another year without him kicking a ball. They can’t sell him, or cancel his contract, so they will surely press him into early retirement. It is hugely sad, but money rules the game these days. In my opinion he should agree to cancel his deal, get himself fit and prove he is worth a spot in someone’s 25. In reality though he will just sit it out and buy a few more cars/houses/yachts/female Big Brother contestants.