Woodgate predicts shock scalp

Spurs defender sees big club slipping through the top-flight trapdoor

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 27th December 2008

Woodgate predicts shock scalp

Woodgate: Not safe

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Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate believes there is every possibility a big team could be relegated from the Premier League this season.

Spurs remain in trouble themselves, despite taking 18 points under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, with the club still paying the price for a disastrous start.

Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Manchester City remain too close to the drop zone for comfort, while Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth are all looking anxiously over their shoulders at events unfolding just below them.

With only three points separating Bolton in 10th from Stoke in 18th, Woodgate believes half the division could feasibly become embroiled in the basement battle.

The 28-year-old said: "The league is so tight, teams are beating each other all the time and no-one has any real form apart from the top five or six and even they have shown they can drop points.

"The rest have all been a bit inconsistent and it looks like a big team can go down, so we have to make sure it is not us and keep picking up victories."

Turnaround

Woodgate is convinced that Spurs will beat the drop, with the England international impressed by the impact Redknapp has made at White Hart Lane following his arrival in October.

"It's been an unbelievable turnaround but it shows just how hard it is to get out of the relegation zone," Woodgate said.

"Think of the run that we've been on and yet we're still not out of the woods.

"When you're down there it's tough to get out because everyone else is winning too. But we're starting to prove what we can do and show our true potential."

With Redknapp expected to bolster his squad during the January transfer window, Woodgate also believes Spurs are well placed to challenge for Carling Cup and Uefa Cup glory this term.

"We want to play as many games as we can - that means we are being successful," he added.

"A lot of the lads have played plenty of games already but if we keep winning matches, we'll keep progressing in all competitions."