I snubbed Newcastle so I could win some trophies, reveals hot Spur Woodgate

Indeed, it is the special bond that Woodgate feels for the club and their supporters which makes his decision to snub first Shepherd and then the subsequent regime headed by Mike Ashley all the more perplexing.

'I spent 18 months there and played some of the best football of my career. That is what got me the move to Madrid,' recalled Woodgate.

'Everyone says the fans are unbelievable but it is true, they really are. They just love the club and would do anything for it.'

So when Madrid deemed him surplus to requirements, why pass up the chance to go back? 'I spoke to Newcastle but, at the time, it wasn't for me,' he said.

'But when I spoke to Middlesbrough, I made my mind up, they were brilliant. Middlesbrough really didn't talk about injuries, whereas Newcastle did.

'It is the last thing you want to hear when you're thinking about signing for a club.'

Fast forward to January of this year and even the persuasive powers of Kevin Keegan were not enough to swing the balance away from Spurs towards Newcastle.

'I just wanted a totally new challenge,' said Woodgate. 'If I had signed for Newcastle, I would have just been in the same surroundings. I didn't want to get stale.

'I am 28 now. Newcastle are going to be a good side in a few years but things can move faster at Spurs. I know I have made the right decision.'

Under the stewardship of Juande Ramos, Woodgate is convinced Tottenham are on the fast-track to success.

A Carling Cup Final win over Chelsea courtesy of Woodgate's extra-time header was not a bad start.

And having worked under three of Ramos's countrymen at Madrid, as well as a Brazilian and a certain Italian now managing England, he knows a quality coach when he sees one.

'Ramos's preparation is brilliant,' said Woodgate. 'He wants you to attack. He wants us to score as many goals as we can. When we played Slavia Prague away, it was drummed into us that we had to win 3-0. "Win this 3-0 or 4-0. If you don't, it is not a good result" and I'm thinking: "Oh my god, this geezer doesn't mess about".'

That drive for success will be felt hardest by those players who fail to impress between now and the end of the season, with Ramos intent on putting his stamp on Spurs in the summer transfer window.

'I'd be nervous if I wasn't playing well,' admitted Woodgate. 'Because this manager will make decisions.'

Rescuing his career from a serious thigh injury before finally making his Bernabeu debut was all the incentive Woodgate needed at Madrid.

And while not the type to be weighed down with regrets, he admitted he would like nothing more than to have his time in the Spanish capital over again.

'I wish I could turn back the clock,' he said. 'I wouldn't rush my injury and I would get properly fit because I know I could have succeeded out there.'

When given his chance, the same was true of Michael Owen, although it is fair to say that, with family matters to think about, life in Madrid proved more of a challenge for the Newcastle striker.

The jury may now be out on Owen for both club and country, but Woodgate, who is expected to take on his former club tomorrow despite a niggling hamstring strain, is fully aware of the threat his former Real team-mate still poses.

'Against Michael, I will be concentrating for 90 minutes, he is a devil in the 18-yard box. You've got to keep an eye on wherever he goes.'

With his impeccable reading of the game, there are few better than Woodgate to ensure Owen has a quiet afternoon. How Newcastle could do with someone of his class to deal with the likes of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov.

Instead, they will have to rely on the promising Steven Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye, having lost Claudio Cacapa to a groin problem.

Suffice to say, they will not miss the error-prone Brazilian half as much as they miss Woodgate.