Blues manager Kieran McKenna says central defender Luke Woolfenden is a really important player in Town’s build-up with his composure and ability to dictate the play and is growing as a leader.

Woolfenden, 25, has made 100 starts for the Blues since McKenna took charge in December 2021, more than any other player having not always been favoured by previous bosses.

“He's having a strong season,” McKenna said. “It is a big step up and I think all of the players and all of the defenders have felt that in different moments of the season in terms of how clinical the other teams can be if you give them an opportunity.

“But no, Luke's having an important season. He continues to grow as a leader within the group and he's shown his attributes a level up, he's a really important player in our build-up.

“His composure and his ability to dictate the play are really, really important for us and he's continuing to work hard on all aspects of his defending. 

“He's one of all of our players who've felt a step up, but he's certainly made some improvements and he's had some strong performances.”

Photo: Matchday Images

ImAbeliever added 15:52 - Feb 29 Good to hear.
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gixxeral added 15:56 - Feb 29 Woolfenden reads the game well. He covers as the last man with good vision and a lot of his good work goes unnoticed as he makes it look easy.
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surgery added 16:24 - Feb 29 That’s a may be but, unfortunately he also has a habit of running alongside opposition strikers without making a tackle and then they score!
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prebbs007 added 16:51 - Feb 29 Composure and ability to dictate play is all well and good Kieran but first and foremost defenders have to be able to defend, and unfortunately Luke is not very good at it. Fans give him leeway coz he's "one of our own" but our goals against column is woeful for a team towards the top of the division and there are a lot of goals this season that can be, at least partly, attributed to him. Without a doubt the weakness in our team is the defence and an upgrade is required next season no matter what division we are in.

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TimmyH added 17:15 - Feb 29 Sometimes he just gets to close to a striker/winger and then gets done for pace...he's one I'd look to replace in the summer transfer window, saying that the entire backline isn't the most convincing - our goals for has masked our failings in defence. Right back is another issue...
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gosblue added 20:13 - Feb 29 He is a solid defender at set pieces and has done brilliantly and grown with the team over the last couple of years. He has his weaknesses but don’t we all. He lacks a bit of pace and he sometimes puts his foot on the ball for too long when a quick transition is on. Burgess does that much better as does Janoi. However. I don’t think our defensive woes are all down to the back two. Quite often we are wide open through the middle of the park and down the flanks. The way we play is thrilling and exciting and frustrating at the same time and long May it continue. COYB

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Europablue added 07:54 - Mar 1 He played well against Birmingham. I really want him to succeed. There is nothing better than a local boy playing for his home team. I'm just worried about a pattern of goals that is starting to emerge where Woolfenden loses a header and doesn't put a challenge in and the player scores. I don't necessarily think he needs to be dropped, but he certainly needs to improve in that area. KM is managing different characters, some need an arm round the shoulder rather than a rocket up the backside. I'm not advocating a zero-tolerance stance on mistakes that lead to goals, but it is helpful to have competition and Woolfenden has started more than anyone else under KM. It is also a precarious position to rely on any one particular player for your style of play in case of injuries or loss of form.

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BobbyBell added 10:34 - Mar 1 I have always rated Wolfy and he has improved a lot under KM. Sometime however there are times when I wish he would show a bit of old style defending and just stick the ball in the stands so that we can regroup. I think sometimes he tries to use skill to win the ball when finding touch is the easy option. If he could mix in a bit of no nonsense boot it out I think it would make him a better defender

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