JONATHAN Woodgate feels that new Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos will bring out the best in him. The centre-half, who made an outstanding home debut in Saturday s 1-1 draw against Manchester United, believes he is now playing for a proper manager – an

JONATHAN Woodgate feels that new Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos will bring out the best in him.

The centre-half, who made an outstanding home debut in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Manchester United, believes he is now playing for a "proper manager" - and already feels at home at the Lane.

"The fans are good here and the manager has won silverware," he told Ham&High Sport. "He knows what he is doing, he's a proper manager.

"He looks the part, the way he talks, and he's good. The manager has won cups in Spain, two Uefa Cups in a row, and he has done ever so well.

"He's won the Spanish Cup and now he is doing well in the league. Every manager has different ways but I am enjoying the way things are.

"We are going in the right direction and that's why I came to Spurs. The manager, the players, you can see what they are trying to build. It is like when I was at Leeds and these new players came in and I was excited."

Woodgate's £8million move from Middlesbrough to Tottenham may have surprised many people but the player himself has no doubts it was the right thing to do.

"I could have stayed at Boro and had the easy, comfortable life," he explained. "I could have lived near my home and gone to the games and gone back home.

"But I wanted to come to Spurs and move to London and play for a good team who are going places. I am a footballer and I want to win things.

"I want to play for a club with ambition and try to win trophies. It is unfortunate that I had to move on but I am at a club who are going places."

Woodgate also feels the move from his native north-east will help his international ambitions. He was back in the England squad for last night's friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.

"There were a lot of internationals at Middlesbrough but there are a lot here as well," he said. "I'm sure Mr Capello will come to watch me a lot more at Tottenham. Spurs is closer to him while it is four hours to Middlesbrough - and it's a bit colder up there."

In the England Under 21 game on Tuesday night, two Spurs players started in the 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

Aaron Lennon, who showed some of his party tricks on the wing, was joined by Tom Huddlestone in the midfield, while Jamie O'Hara remained on the substitutes' bench throughout.

Given his performance, Lennon would have hoped he managed to catch the eye of new England coach Fabio Capello.

While Lennon did not score in the game at St Mary's, Southampton's home, he always seemed the most likely to break down the Republic's defence with his trademark runs and pace.