Robson Praises Woodgate

By Carys Baptist
April 12 2004

Woodgate, O’Brien, Hughes, and Olivier Bernard successfully kept Arsenal at bay in the 0-0 draw at St James’ Park yesterday afternoon. But Sir Bobby Robson has hailed Jonathon Woodgate as the king of the defence.

Woodgate, O’Brien, Hughes, and Olivier Bernard successfully kept Arsenal at bay in the 0-0 draw at St James’ Park yesterday afternoon. But Sir Bobby Robson has hailed Jonathon Woodgate as the king of the defence. However it wasn’t just Sir Bobby who recognised his exceptional performance – Woody also received M.O.T.M.

"He took the ball off Reyes, he took the ball off Henry, he stood on his feet, he jockeyed, he jockeyed, he ran and then got his foot in at the right moment,'' he said.

"He didn't miscue, he served the ball well, anything in the air that was going to be difficult, he seemed to win it.

He was absolutely outstanding, outstanding.''

With Woodgate on form he could be setting himself up for another more permanent England spot – under the watchful eye of Sven Goran Eriksson.