A tale of two defenders

Last updated : 12 December 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Woodgate has struggled to recover his best form since returning after hernia surgery, while Bramble has produced more of his 85 minutes of quality coupled with five dire and costly minutes displays, but Sir Bobby is convinced that they will develop into a great partnership.

Of Bramble, he told the Evening Chronicle: "If you take away Titus's two mistakes last Saturday the boy has been outstanding in the past six weeks.


"In fact, I would say he has been our most consistent performer during this period. He has been a real colossus.


"The only mistakes he has made in this time were last Saturday. One was costly when Liverpool scored and the other might have been costly.

"Other players have made mistakes for us this season and I think Titus has been singled out unfairly."


About Woodgate, he added: "We have talked things over with Jonathan and shown him the videos and he has looked better every day and he has been very good in training.

"He is much more in the rhythm now. When you have been out for two months it does take maybe a month of playing and steady training get going again.


"He is on the verge of what he was - and what we know him to be - which is a very good player. Jonathan is fully aware of what has happened in the last two games and is anxious to dispel any doubts about his ability."


We can only hope that the pair of them find their best form soon because, while they are both talented players, their recent displays have proved to be a major dent in our hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.