Wembley glory might not be enough to keep Kane
WOODGATE FEARS FOR SPURS
JONATHAN Woodgate believes it has been too long since his winner at Wembley sealed Tottenham’s last trophy 13 years ago.
Woodgate’s extra-time header clinched a surprise 2-1 victory over favourites Chelsea in the 2008 Carling Cup final.
Spurs have won nothing since but face defending champions Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup showpiece.
Now manager at Bournemouth, Woodgate says it is time his old club put that right.
But he fears even ending their trophy drought might not be enough to convince Harry Kane to stay at the club. “They have to start winning trophies with the stadium they have built and the players they have,” said Woodgate.
“They have the best striker in England in Harry Kane. They need to start winning trophies for him. Sooner or later they’re going to win a trophy. Would it be enough for Harry Kane? I’m not sure. They’ll need more investment for Harry Kane to stay, I’m sure of that.
“He’s been unbelievable again this season. I’d say Spurs need to invest to try to keep Harry Kane.”
Woodgate’s Wembley winner was his first goal for Tottenham and came only four matches after he joined them in an £8million switch from Middlesbrough.
But the 41-year-old, who was man of the match that day, still believes it was only possible because Michael Dawson suffered a hamstring injury in the build-up.
He said: “It was down to Michael’s misfortune really. I am sure he would have started. It’s the only trophy I won so it’s got to be one of my best moments as a player. My son’s got my medal, along with the man of the match trophy in his room.
“My shirt will probably be in a wardrobe somewhere, with all my other shirts. I don’t have them on parade in my house.”
His winner came early in extratime when Woodgate reached Jermaine Jenas’s free-kick before Petr Cech. His header hit the Chelsea goalkeeper who knocked it back off the Spurs defender and into the net.
Woodgate recalled: “I was getting cramp at the time. I pointed to JJ to put it in the right area and I would go and attack it.
“I didn’t always think [Didier] Drogba was great at marking from set-plays and he was marking me. I thought if JJ put it in the right area,
I would go and attack it. I know Petr Cech punched it on to my head and it went in.
“It was an incredible feeling. I was just trying to run as fast as I could to get in among the Spurs fans to celebrate with them.”
Jose Mourinho’s sacking means Spurs go into the game with Woodgate’s former team-mate Ryan Mason in the dug-out as interim boss.
That is a role Woodgate took on at Bournemouth before landing the job full-time.
He said: “It’s important you stick to your beliefs. Get your players onside and have conversations with them.That’s the key.
“I know he’s still a young guy but he’s been trusted with that job until the end of the season so he must be good at it. It’s an incredible opportunity for him. He’s Spurs through and through so he’s someone the fans can relate to also.”