WOODS HAPPY TO LEAD WAY FOR POTTERS
WHEN Gary Rowett announced his team for Stoke’s trip to Rotherham a few weeks ago, Ryan Woods didn’t anticipate the absence of Potters legend Ryan Shawcross – let alone that he would be filling in as captain.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who arrived on loan from Brentford in August with a permanent deal set for January, could scarcely believe the responsibility bestowed upon him, and he certainly didn’t disappoint.
Stoke emerged from the New York Stadium with a hard-fought point and Woods promptly kept the armband for wins over Bolton and Norwich before the international break interrupted his run.
But the former Shrewsbury man was keen to stress that there are no ill-feelings between him and 31-year-old Shawcross.
“The captain, Ryan, has been absolutely brilliant with me,” he said.
“He knows that he’s the captain of the club and if he comes back in the team, I’m sure he will be captain again.
“But until then, I’m more than happy to take over on a matchday and hopefully I can do my best for the team.”
Woods wasted no time in establishing himself in a Stoke midfield bedecked with Premier League experience. He would have been forgiven for not necessarily expecting to win a starting berth in the middle of the park so quickly.
“I had to come in to Stoke and lay my marker down straight away. I knew that,” he added.
“You only have to look at the names of the other lads who are in the squad to see how much quality there is here.
“With my performances, I am hoping now that people take notice of me and I’m here to do the best for myself and my teammates.”