| Body Language 18:49 - Feb 11 with 2816 views | Lusor |
While admiring Luke Woolfenden for being a fine example of a loyal, home-grown player, his recent low ratings are indicative that something is not right. Recognising that all players make mistakes, I'm more concerned about his body language and movement with rhe ball at his feet. Walking slowly forward and putting his foot on the ball is sending the wrong message to the rest of the team. Apart from the fact that it gives the opposition the opportunity to close down our other defensive players, it deflates the midfield and the front runners, frustrates the fans and takes away the opportunity for a quick attacking break.. Momentum and impetus are thus replaced by 'patience', safe sideways passing, and a dangerous press from the opposition forwards. When it breaks down on the halfway line we are then stretched by fast and dangerous counter attacks.
Wolfie must think and act more quickly, raise the pace of his game and change both his mindset and body language. He could then be a great player. |  | | |  |
| Body Language on 18:53 - Feb 11 with 2752 views | itfcjoe |
This style is what McKenna wants him to do, I’m sure the rest of the team are aware of this and not frustrated by it |  |
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| "La Pausa".... on 18:54 - Feb 11 with 2745 views | Bloots |
....we've been doing it for 18 months now. |  |
| "He's been a really positive influence on my life, I think he's a great man" - TWTD User (May 2025) |
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| Body Language on 19:00 - Feb 11 with 2687 views | Churchman |
Sorry, I don’t see that at all. I think he is measured and assured. Lots to learn, makes the odd mistake, even has the odd poor game but hell, he’s human. Plenty to praise. One of the early names on the team sheet for me.
I think he could easily play in the PL, he’s that good. |  | | |
| "La Pausa".... on 19:03 - Feb 11 with 2676 views | bournemouthblue |
| "La Pausa".... on 18:54 - Feb 11 by Bloots |
....we've been doing it for 18 months now. |
It's a strange time to question the style, we do slow the tempo at times when building from the back, it frustrates me at times when the momentum has gone our way and we are in control
I like to keep going at the oppo, wave after always but that's the choice McKenna has made
Where the poster is right is that Wolfy is a bit off it at the moment and think some of that is down to be needing to be a bit nastier. The first goal, he could have wiped Fellowes out before it bounced and taken a yellow. A bigger nastier centre back would have done that, even if it was a yellow.
He's a very good footballing centre back but it's the dirtier more ruthless side of the game which he needs to get better at |  |
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| "La Pausa".... on 19:09 - Feb 11 with 2625 views | ibbleobble |
| "La Pausa".... on 18:54 - Feb 11 by Bloots |
....we've been doing it for 18 months now. |
Wolfenden has been doing it his whole career! |  | | |
| Body Language on 19:13 - Feb 11 with 2607 views | Mullet |
He could scratch his balls and sniff his fingers all game if he wants for all I care. He's quality and doing exactly what he's sposed to. |  |
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| Body Language on 19:13 - Feb 11 with 2605 views | SheffordBlue |
It's a deliberate ploy that even has it's own name if you're into that kind of thing. He's been coached into doing 'La Pausa' more and more since McKenna took over. It's designed to draw opposition players in so that when the ball is released we have a man over. | |
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| Body Language on 19:16 - Feb 11 with 2570 views | SitfcB |
| Body Language on 19:13 - Feb 11 by Mullet |
He could scratch his balls and sniff his fingers all game if he wants for all I care. He's quality and doing exactly what he's sposed to. |
Just a shame he didn’t jump through his man yesterday and try and head the ball away, but that’s not really his game. |  |
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| Body Language on 19:18 - Feb 11 with 2546 views | Mullet |
| Body Language on 19:16 - Feb 11 by SitfcB |
Just a shame he didn’t jump through his man yesterday and try and head the ball away, but that’s not really his game. |
I'd rather have all the games without errors if it means we have to take stuff like that. | |
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| Body Language on 19:19 - Feb 11 with 2534 views | Mookamoo |
Cometh the sticky patch, cometh the critism of Woolfenden being too casual. |  | | |
| Body Language on 19:23 - Feb 11 with 2500 views | SitfcB |
| Body Language on 19:18 - Feb 11 by Mullet |
I'd rather have all the games without errors if it means we have to take stuff like that. |
Oh of course. I was being a tad facetious. It’s never going to be perfect 100% of the time.
For balance though, Chaplin should’ve scored that chance! Seen him score many like that. | |
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| Body Language on 19:29 - Feb 11 with 2443 views | J2BLUE |
He's literally doing as he has been told to do.
This is the modern game and it has served us well so far. |  |
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| Body Language on 19:36 - Feb 11 with 2401 views | Swansea_Blue |
You don’t expect an Irish Setter to run around yapping at everything like a Yorkshire Terrier. That’s all I’m saying.
(and I’m wondering if I’ve managed a first by comparing him to dog breeds. I was going to go with Rolls Royce, but that seemed too clichéd). |  |
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| Body Language on 19:38 - Feb 11 with 2383 views | jayessess |
| Body Language on 19:16 - Feb 11 by SitfcB |
Just a shame he didn’t jump through his man yesterday and try and head the ball away, but that’s not really his game. |
Think he's pretty aggressive in those challenges at times. I think we do get all the centre backs to focus on trying to actually win possession rather than just clear the ball, which sometimes will get you into trouble (but has a positive effect overall). |  |
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| Body Language on 20:00 - Feb 11 with 2281 views | homer_123 |
Of course, what he could so is play an early pass like Ed did for Harness on Saturday.
There is a reason Woolf stays on the ball - a pass isn't always immediately available.
But hey.... |  |
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| "La Pausa".... on 20:01 - Feb 11 with 2272 views | homer_123 |
| "La Pausa".... on 18:54 - Feb 11 by Bloots |
....we've been doing it for 18 months now. |
Only works is you say it in an Essex accent. | |
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| Body Language on 20:04 - Feb 11 with 2266 views | Nutkins_Return |
This is such a a frustrating post. McKenna has covered this himself several times. Our keepers do it as well. It's about drawing players in and creating space and effectively trying to stop and man for man situation for defending team. He's not slowing the game down, he's forcing the opposition to close and then we move and find space. | |
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| Body Language on 20:41 - Feb 11 with 2147 views | lazyblue |
It’s the way we play, get over it. | | | |
| Body Language on 20:51 - Feb 11 with 2107 views | pointofblue |
| Body Language on 20:04 - Feb 11 by Nutkins_Return |
This is such a a frustrating post. McKenna has covered this himself several times. Our keepers do it as well. It's about drawing players in and creating space and effectively trying to stop and man for man situation for defending team. He's not slowing the game down, he's forcing the opposition to close and then we move and find space. |
And his role is probably the most pressurised and difficult in the team. To be confident enough to hold on to the ball, allow strikers to close him down to narrow the angle then be able to pass the ball out, finding the right option when the wrong choice will more often than not result in a goal. If anything his defensive choices at times is where my issue lies with him, not his distribution. | |
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| Body Language on 21:40 - Feb 11 with 1958 views | textbackup |
Wolfs old man taking to Twitter in 3, 2, 1… |  |
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| Body Language on 21:58 - Feb 11 with 1886 views | HalifaxBlue |
While most people have covered this here, I just thought I'd add -
The technique of using this body language is so commonplace in coaching these days that it actually has a name - "la pausa". You can see it in pretty well any top level match now.
Not only is not Woolf's choice, it is fundamental to the way we play. Inviting players to press the defence isn't a drawback - it is the whole purpose. I promise you, the midfielders are not deflated by it - quite the opposite. It is what gives them the time and space behind the first line of the opposition press to play on the half turn.
If Woolf didn't do it, Woolf would be dropped and someone else would do it. |  |
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