Woodgate would, if he could

Whether Jonathan Woodgate plays for England on Wednesday night against Spain, or he simply keeps McClaren’s bench warm, is in the long run neither here not there. Since his loan move to the Boro, he’s played well over 20 games for his hometown club this season, and that in itself is an achievement.

Watching him play for Leeds all those years ago made Boro fans green with envy. He has, and still seems to have, the lot: pace, agility, toughness and he’s a phenomenal reader of the game. He’s certainly good enough for Real Madrid (but there again, the way they are playing, I’m good enough for them as well) and though there is still doubt – the recent announcement that the Boro and Madrid had agreed a fee doesn’t seem to be anything new – that he will sign a long-term deal at Middlesbrough, he’s already a real hero there.

Reading his comments in today’s Guardian, Woodgate could well sign for the Boro – providing Middlesbrough make big signings in the summer. We don’t need the Ravenelli and Emerson scenario (ala 1997/8) to manifest itself again, but a couple of reasonably expensive signings that act to complement the great youth system on Teesside, would not go amiss.

The important point, which I’m sure Boro chairman Steve Gibson has learned, albeit the hard way, is that the players must fit in to the Boro style of play (which is increasingly exciting) and pay structure. If not, they’re not needed.