Woodgate gives Spurs cup boost

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Woodgate, who scored the winner in the final against Chelsea last year, needed stitches in a head wound against Hull on Monday but has insisted his injury is "okay".

His focus is now on facing United and winning back-to-back trophies. "On our day, we can beat anyone," Woodgate said. "We have proved that in the past."

He added: "It's not going to be easy, but it won't be easy for United either. We will go there and we will look to lift the trophy."

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp agrees his side have nothing to fear, but he is wary of making it an open cup final.

"You respect but don't fear them because we also have good players for them to worry about," Redknapp said.

"You have to make sure you stay in the game and therefore there is no point going out there and starting gung-ho. You need to adopt a good shape, be solid, have a plan and know what you are doing against them.

"But we won't sit back - we will have a go. We have good attacking players and we hope to cause them problems as well."

For Redknapp, the key to the final will be about striking a balance between attack and defence.

"You have to be so careful because if you open up too much you can get absolutely ripped to pieces," he said. "You can't just think 'okay, we'll play 4-4-2 and attack them all over the place' because they are possibly the best team in Europe. But we will be getting at them in all departments."