Jonathan Woodgate insists Bournemouth will head into tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final as underdogs against neighbours Saints.
Jonathan Woodgate said “We’re confident that we can cause an upset. We’re definitely the underdogs in the game because Southampton are a Premier League team. But we’re going there thinking we can win the game, no matter what. If it has to go to extra time, if it has to go to penalties, we’re confident that we can cause an upset.”
Discussing being just the second manager in the club’s history to lead Cherries out in an FA Cup quarter-final, ‘
Jonathan Woodgate said “It’s a proud moment for me, like it is for all of the players. At the end of the game, let’s see where we are. We could be in the semi-final, which has never happened for Bournemouth. It will be an incredible achievement and I am proud to represent this football club, especially coming from up north. It’s good to be down here and it’s good to represent this club. It’s the football club that comes first and we’re just relishing the opportunity of trying to get to a semi-final. We’ve got a big game against Southampton, which by no uncertain terms is going to be easy. It’s going to be really, really difficult.”
Despite an illustrious playing career, featuring for the likes of Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, Woodgate never made an appearance in the semi-final of the FA Cup. He did reach the last four of the Copa Del Rey, during his time at Real Madrid, but Woodgate admits chances like this don’t come around too often.
Jonathan Woodgate said “It’s a massive opportunity. A career goes so quick. It’s a click of a finger and your career’s over. You want to try and win as many trophies as you can. You want to try and get as far as you can in competitions. I’ve been to a Champions League semi-final, UEFA Cup semi-final, never really got to finals. You have to win the quarter-final to get there and that’s the game we’re looking at. We’ll be underdogs against Southampton, but if we turn up, we’ll give them a right game.”
Discussing the possibility of playing at Wembley in the semi-finals, Woodgate added: “There’s nothing better when you were a kid growing up – leading your team out at Wembley is incredible.
Jonathan Woodgate said “But first and foremost is the game tomorrow. They (Southampton) are a good team, with a good manager, experienced players. Everyone will be thinking Southampton are going to win, they’re going to be the favourites and we’re the underdogs. Little old Bournemouth. It’s a big game. This club hasn’t been in the quarter-finals for 64 years, so it’s absolutely massive. We want to try to get to a semi-final and can you imagine how pleased the Bournemouth fans would be, getting to a semi-final? It’s a pity they can’t be there, but first and foremost we realise we’ve got a right game on our hands against a Premier League team, a team that’s full of internationals, with a fantastic manager. But believe you me, we’ll be thinking we can win the game.”
Just 13 places separate the two clubs in the league pyramid, with Saints sitting 14th in the Premier League and Cherries seventh in the Championship ahead of the clash at Vitality Stadium (12.15pm). And Woodgate says Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will head along the south coast as favourites, with Cherries having never reached the semi-final stage of the competition.
