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Woodgate: Fightback will save us
Tom Collomosse30 Oct 2008
Jonathan Woodgate claimed Tottenham's stunning comeback to draw 4-4 with Arsenal last night will turn around their season.
Spurs scored twice in the closing stages at Emirates Stadium to rescue a point when they looked out of it and defender Woodgate credited new manager Harry Redknapp with restoring the players' confidence, which was virtually non-existent during the final games of Juande Ramos' ill-fated reign.
Only last week the defender described the team as "rudderless" as they lost 2-0 to Udinese in the UEFA Cup before the Spaniard was sacked just two days later.
A delighted Woodgate said: "Could it be the turning point? Yes. All the players are together and we're going to work hard to get out of the situation we're in and it is looking bright now.
"We beat Bolton 2-0 in our last game, but getting a point here proves we have a lot of heart and a lot of guts.
"The manager has come in and given us a lot of confidence and it showed in parts of the game.
"His man-management skills are second to none. He knows the game inside out and he's come in and given a lot of the players the belief that we are good and we can win games and get out of this situation.
"It is belief more than anything you need when you're in this situation."
The result was not enough to lift Spurs off the bottom of the League but it will put Redknapp's players in the ideal frame of mind to face Liverpool on Saturday.
Jermaine Jenas and substitute Aaron Lennon scored the late goals to earn a draw for Spurs but it was former Arsenal midfielder David Bentley's stunning 40-yard volley, which put the visitors 1-0 up, that was the goal of the match.
Bentley's strike, in front of England manager Fabio Capello, means he is finally starting to justify the £15.8million he cost from Blackburn in the summer. Since joining Spurs, Bentley has lost his place in Capello's squad, as well as being an outspoken critic of Ramos's regime.
Bentley said: "I feel like Superman, I could fly home. You will be criticised when you are not performing and certain things have gone on but we have sorted them out and we are all pulling in the right direction. We showed character."
Reader views (14)
I am alife long arsenal supporter,and have to say that i was impressed at the way spurs came to the emirates and gave us a real battle,this is what local derbies are about.We gave away a two goal lead and what can you say they battled back and got their point,but as all true spurs fans know in their hearts they are ten years behind arsenal ,and looking at their current league position they have a long way to go to get close to us in all areas,on and off the pitch.With two very hard games coming up,i think they are in a battle to stay up,and if they do manage to stay up it will be a very long time before they emulate arsenal who in the last ten years have consistantly been close to the top of the premiership.The way the spurs supporters celebrated this single point you would have thought they had won the league,the results for them against us in recent years have been few,and the unsavoury support spurs seem to attract these days reared its ugly head by them coming over the barriers upon scoring the last goal,i just hope that they are relegated to the championship next season where they belong.
- Jim Ex Pat,N1, thailand, 31/10/2008 06:21
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maybe Cesc Fabregas now regrets his comments about the arsenal womens team mind you he right there deffence is better. Maybe Harry should ask him to comment every week as what better tool to gee the players up.
- Des, Northampton, 31/10/2008 06:03
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Ha Ha Ha Ha and Arsenal fans say that playing Tottenham is not a big game for them!!! Still hurts though doesn't it, lol
- Park Lane, Tottenham, 30/10/2008 20:54
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How could Arsenal at home have four goals put past them by the bottom club in the Premier League? What has happened to Arsenal?
- Peter, London, 30/10/2008 20:29
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so Spurs beat a poor Bolton,side but drew against a naive,cocky,showboating gooner side who have won nothing in the last 4 years despite all this wonderful pretty football.forgive me but didnt the Goners lose to fulham(a great side) and hull at home.If it wasn`t for two dodgy decisions on both arsenals firs 2 goals and hutton dull play,then id say the home defence had more to worry bout,their keeper is as bad as spurs` and he wats too play for england..heaven forbid...well done spurs you never gave up,showed greater commitment and deserved your point..lets hope the gooners are happy with their lovely to watch footy that brings no trophies,but sneaks them in to the champions league the glorified money money tv backed cup that has about 5 or 6 capsble winners who are champions of their league
- Phil, croxley, 30/10/2008 19:49
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Eddie,
Anyone can say they can score 6 or 7 but you'll find its better to do it rather than say it.
We gifted the third goal to you with Hutton's mistake.
The spurs goals were class and to be fair the arsenal's goals were very good too.
Considering how bad a start we have made and how well you have been playing, I think we really were the better team.
When it comes to heart and soul you just cant beat us. Maybe thats why you've won nothing over the past few years...
Not enough heart... Bet you'd take the Carling cup this season...!
- Mark, St Albans, 30/10/2008 17:36
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Disappointed Arsenal fan, 5, 6 or 7 goals, but you only managed four, all from defensive mistakes against the bottom team in the premier league. Just remember Spurs have scored NINE against you in the last two matches!
- Barry, Herts, 30/10/2008 17:26
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Spurs 3 The 'Pool 1 on Saturday. Do it for Harry and St. George. Come on you Spurs..!
- Paul, Bromley, Kent, 30/10/2008 17:08
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Eddie, I'm not stupid enough to take anything for granted about our dire league position but your obvious pain at last night's result has clouded your judgement. Arsenal were not the better side in the first half and for what it is worth a couple of rank refereeing decisions and poor defending let you in.
All's fair in love and war. Get over it!
- Steven Dale, London, England, 30/10/2008 17:00
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How can Arsenal let Tottenham back into the game? We went 1-0 up.
When all their goals were 2 mistakes.. Gomes didnt make more 2 saves in the whole game...
Arsenal lost due to their arrogance of beating Tottenham, they lost 2 points, we gained 1..
Arsenal, if you expect to win the league, you have to beat the teams at the bottom.
Funny, Tottenham, bottom of the league, but yet drew with 2 of the top 4!
- Adrian, London, 30/10/2008 16:59
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I'm amazed at Spurs fans hysteria. They beat a poor Bolton side, then somehow scraped a draw against Arsenal. This is possibly the worst Spurs side I can recall since they were relegated previously, how they drew last night I do not know. Surely they realise that they are 3 points adrift of safety with Liverpool at home, followed by Man City away, two matches which could easily bring no reward. This after having blown millions on replacing Jol with Ramos to break into the top four, of the Championship that must be.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 30/10/2008 16:40
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Oh so the gunners thought they had won.
The mighty spurs have shown in the last two games they have courage and fight in the squad.
Hail
King Harry.
- Shaun J Gillespie, Swansea, 30/10/2008 14:58
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As a disappointed Arsenal fan, I believe I'm honest enough to acknowledge that Arsenal let Tottenham back into the game when a fifth, six or even seventh goal would not have flattered our overall performance. However, the Tottenham "dream" has hit epic proportions yet again. All the euphoria expressed on the radio and in the press by Tottenham players and fans appears to be clouding their judgement once more. Tottenham are bottom of the table. They are two points adrift of the side above them. Four of their closest rivals, Newcastle, Fulham, Everton and Stoke have all recorded victories this week and they face the Premiership leaders this weekend.
I'm sorry but you'll all wake up soon and your time will be taken up reprogramming your satnav's with names like Doncaster, Barnsley, Norwich and Plymouth. Happy dreams.
- Eddie, Barnet, Herts, 30/10/2008 14:19
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What a result!
Slowly but surely were turning our season round and with Harry in charge im now confident he can get us climbing up the table and to safety.
With yesterdays result and todays announcment of a new 60000 stadium let's just hope we can carry this feel-good-factor in to Saturdays game against the Pool.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
- Steve, Kent, 30/10/2008 12:04
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