MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 11:11:30| >> :120:50648:50648:

Jonathan Woodgate admits Bournemouth are underdogs for Saints clash

Jonathan Woodgate admits Bournemouth are underdogs for Saints clash
© Reuters
The Cherries are out to eclipse the giantkillers of 1956-57.

Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate accepts his side are the underdogs for their FA Cup quarter-final against Premier League Southampton, but is ready to make another bit of history.

The Cherries are aiming to eclipse the giantkillers of 1956-57, when the Division Three South club knocked out top-flight Wolves and Tottenham before eventually losing to Manchester United in the last eight.

While promotion from the Sky Bet Championship remains the prime directive this season, Woodgate would relish leading Bournemouth into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time.

"We are definitely the underdogs because they are a Premier League team, but we will go in there thinking we can win the game, no matter what," Woodgate – who has a deal until the end of the season – said.

"If it has to go to extra-time, go to penalties, we are confident we can cause an upset.

"It is a fantastic achievement for the football club and we are just trying to get into a semi-final, but it is going to be really difficult.

"They are a good team with really experienced players, everyone will be thinking Southampton are going to win.

"But our players will not think that. We will be right on it."

The former Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Spurs defender added: "Your career goes so quick and you want to try to win as many trophies as you can.

"I have been to a Champions League semi-final, a UEFA Cup semi-final, but never got to the final.

"It is a proud moment for me (as a manager), so let's see where we are at the end of it."

Bournemouth have several selection problems ahead of Saturday's 12.15pm kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.

Winger Junior Stanislas picked up a hamstring problem which forced him off during the midweek Championship win over Swansea.

Midfielder Jefferson Lerma is suspended after collecting two yellow cards earlier in the competition and on-loan Saints forward Shane Long is cup-tied.

Defender Adam Smith is another not expected back until after the international break.

Woodgate hopes others will make the most of an opportunity.

"I'm not one to complain about squad size. We get on with it," the Cherries boss said.

"Every team gets injuries, you just need to make the most of it, especially for players who come in and can do a job."

Woodgate added: "What I did against Burnley (in the last round), I put a really strong side out, so I will be doing that again.

"Football is all about winning matches, so I will be going in there with a full-strength side."

ID:439920: cacheID:439920:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4448:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl pictured on March 1, 2021
Read Next:
Ralph Hasenhuttl vows to leave no stone unturned ahead of quarter-final
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!