Town manager Paul Lambert has been impressed with young centre-half Luke Woolfenden’s displays in the Blues’ first two League One games, even if he says the laidback 20-year-old “needs a kick up the backside” from time to time.
"He’s done well,” Lambert said. "Sometimes I think Woolfy needs a kick up the backside at certain times because he’s that laidback, but he’s done well.
"Again, he’s only a kid and he will have his ups and downs, and the team will have its ups and downs because it’s young.
"That’s normal, young players make mistakes, we’re not overly experienced with players. Young lads will make mistakes, it’s a rollercoaster ride I guess but it’s exciting.”
Quizzed further on Woolfenden’s relaxed demeanour, he added: "I think it’s just the way he is. It’s his personality, he’s laidback, but as long as it doesn’t go too far that way. Once he’s in this game for a long time, he’ll start to realise what he’s involved in.”
Woolfenden has shown a willingness to bring the ball out from the back and the Blues boss says the former East Bergholt High School pupil will learn when it’s the right moment to do so.
"He can do that, but there are times when to do it and times when not to do it, and that will come from experience. When he gets older and used to playing, that’ll come with experience, he’ll know when and not to do it.
"That’s the same with any young player that we have, they will make mistakes, they will do great things, but there’s got to be that realism of where they are, they’re still developing in a lot of aspects in their game.”
The Blues boss believes Woolfenden’s season on loan at Swindon in League Two last year, in which he made 36 starts and two goals, was hugely beneficial.
"I think it’s been massive for him going out on loan,” he reflected. "I’m not convinced about the U23 league, and I think going out and playing proper football, real football, brings kids on quicker than their own age group.
"So I think that certainly helped him with it, and that’s the benefit of it when you do go out and play real football, it gives the benefit to your parent club.”
Woolfenden made his senior debut for the Blues in the Carabao Cup at Luton two years ago with Bailey Clements and Armando Dobra did the same at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday.
"I don’t have a problem with those two kids, I thought they did really well,” Lambert said.
"They’re good kids, they’ve got the hunger that you need from kids on that side of it, really good talent and I was really with the two of them, and you can throw Idris [El Mizouni] into that category as well. Woolfenden’s done well for us.”