MARCUS Tavernier praised the impact former Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate had on his career, insisting: “I can say nothing but good words about him.” Woodgate returned to football in October, appointed as a first-team coach under new boss Michael Carrick at Boro.
Marcus Tavernier said: “He was great for me. He’s the one who gave me my first proper chance at Middlesbrough and I can say nothing but good words about him. He gave me hard times at times, but that’s what I needed as a young lad. I needed that to learn my trade and I know what I needed to do coming forward.”
Asked if Woodgate had messaged him after making the switch down south from Middlesbrough to Cherries over the summer,
Marcus Tavernier said: “No, he didn’t. But I’ve changed my number, so he might have on my old number!”
Despite only turning 23 himself this year, Tavernier’s leadership potential could play an important role as part of a youthful Cherries squad. The versatile midfielder has previous captaincy experience with England under-20s, leading a squad which included the likes of Tariq Lamptey, Conor Gallagher and Japhet Tanganga. Asked if he sees himself as a leader given his international exploits,
Marcus Tavernier said: “Yeah, it’s something Jonathan Woodgate talked about to me when I was at Middlesbrough. He said that he’s seen that in me, me being a leader. I believe I’ve got it in me and it’s just something that I can only learn over time as I get older and get more experience in this league.”
