Woodman: 'I've had to work 10 times harder - but I'm ready'

The goalkeeper, who turned 18 last month, was one of the heroes of England Under-17s’ European Championship win last summer with his penalty shootout heroics securing victory over Holland in the final.

Since then, Woodman has gone on to represent his country at U18 and U19 level as well as progressing up the ladder with the Magpies to become number two 'keeper behind Tim Krul.

"It’s been a brilliant 12 months. It’s been hard at times as well. I’ve had moments where I’m with the U18s then in the first team a week later and back with the 18s. But it’s been great and I’ve learnt so much," Woodman told the Chronicle.

"I have seen things around the first team that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen this early in my career.

"I didn’t plan to be in the first team this early and I’m just enjoying every minute of it."

With dad Andy as his goalkeeper coach at St. James’ Park, Woodman junior says the family connection on the training ground has forced him to work even harder to prove his critics wrong – and he is managing to achieve that with the help of close friend and mentor Krul.

"I’ve always needed someone like that to be hard on me," he explained. "My dad played, it wasn’t at the best level and he made mistakes.

"We talk about them to make sure I don’t make those same mistakes. I have to take the right path professionally.

"But it’s brilliant. It’s been hard though, because when I first came there as a lot of, ‘You’re only here because of your dad’. And I got that a lot.

"I felt I had to work 10 times harder than everyone else. I stayed back after training just to prove that I’m not just here because of my old man."

Woodman won the U17s Euros with England last summer

He added: "A lot of credit has to go to Tim Krul as well. He works with me and teaches me. He’ll say when I’m rubbish and say when I’m good. That’s been massive for me.

"He’s really taken me under his wing and has said I can take the same path as him.

"I would love to do that. He’s up there as one of the best – and that’s what I want to be."

Woodman has seen two other juniors, Adam Armstrong and Rolando Aarons, progress from the youth side into the Newcastle first team over the past twelve months, whetting his own appetite for a taste of the top flight.

But it was a loan spell at the Football League’s bottom side, Hartlepool United, earlier this season that has had the biggest impact on the young shotstopper.

"I believe I’m ready [for the first team]. I went in to see Alan Pardew and told him I’m ready," he revealed.

"If Tim does get sent off or injured then I believe I’m ready. I do everything correctly every day to make sure I’m ready for that chance should it come."

He continued: "I’ve had arguments with my dad and agent and said to them, ‘Why do people treat goalkeepers differently?’.

"We should be the same. I see my friends like Rolando and Arma getting in the first team and I want to be there as well. So it’s been great, I’ve been on the bench 13 times now.

Woodman enjoyed a loan spell at Hartlepool earlier this season

"I look back to the start of the season when Colin Cooper took me on loan to Hartlepool. Not many people would take a 17-year-old around a squad of League Two players.

"Since I came back from there, I feel I have become more of a man and taken on more responsibility."

Woodman was speaking after winning the Jack Hixon award at the Newcastle Sports Awards last week - a trophy dedicated to the legendary scout who discovered former England and Newcastle captain Alan Shearer.

And the Magpies’ record goalscorer was on hand to present Woodman with the award in person.

"He just said some of the names who have won that award before have not gone on to achieve what they should have done – but he said hopefully I would."

Woodman could feature for Neil Dewsnip’s England U18 side later this month when they take on Switzerland at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium.

Tickets for the clash on Saturday 28 March are priced £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions.

Call 01922 651 414/416 or visit Saddlers.co.uk to secure your seat now.