Town have been playing out from the back, successful in the most part, for more than two years, but defender Luke Woolfenden knows all too well that some supporters still struggle to grasp Kieran McKenna’s style.

The style of play has been an important factor in the Blues’ rise from League One to third in the Championship under McKenna’s tenure, with Town scoring numerous memorable goals this campaign that have started all the way back with the goalkeeper in possession.

Woolfenden says the supporters have begun to get their heads around the style of play and that he is not fazed by any gasps from the crowd when opposition sides are pressing the Blues backline.

“I think the majority of them have,” he said. “When I go out anywhere, the majority of people that I see will come up to me and say ‘don’t listen to any of them moaning about getting it forward’ and to be fair I have a laugh about it with the boys now.

“It’s one of them things where people see football in different ways and the majority have got their head around it and appreciate how we play. And the ones that haven’t, I think it’s been two years now so I don’t think they’re going to change.

“It’s about being brave and setting traps, but also disrupting opposition backlines because we’ve got pace in behind and now we’ve got big Kieffer [Moore] up there. If they think they’ve got a chance of winning the ball higher up, then they’re more likely to commit bodies forward and then we’ve got an overload at the top end of the pitch.

“I think we’ve reaped the rewards from that a few times this season, whether it be Burg [Cameron Burgess] waiting on the ball, Vaz [Vaclav Hladky] or me. We’ve scored a fair few goals from doing it.”

Woolfenden says the repetition in training pays dividends to being the successful application of the style on a matchday, but maintains confidence despite some supporters getting nervous in the stands.

He said: “It can be tough. It’s one of them things where you know what you’re doing and you’ve done it enough in training, it’s when the groans then turn into a round of applause two seconds later and you’re like ‘when I do it next time are you still going to groan’ and it still comes.

“Probably the toughest thing for it is that part when it does go right and everyone’s on their feet clapping, we might score a goal but they forget that first build-up part, which they’re not doing if you make a mistake.

“It can be tough but you’ve got to deal with it and we have done the majority of the season.

“We work on it a lot. We had it with Hirsty [George Hirst], but now that big Kieffer’s come in we have that versatility of mixing it up so we’re not predictable, but we have a lot of repetition that helps us.”

He added: “I watched an interview that [Jannik] Vestergaard done the other day and he was talking about how his job is almost easier with the way [Leicester City] play because they’re keeping the ball, passing the ball and he has less defending to do.”

A few weeks ago, the Blues dominated possession in their 4-0 victory against Millwall, so much so that Woolfenden completed 101 of his 102 pass attempts.

However, the former East Bergholt High School pupil disputed the data, believing he should have had a 100 per cent completion rate on the statistics.

“I’m not sure about that one, you know,” he smiled. “I think I know the one and it got a little nick but it still went to where I was passing it. I remember the one, it hit the guy’s stud but it still went to Omari [Hutchinson], so I think it’s 102 out of 102.”

Another key factor in Town’s success playing out from the back this season has been the composure of goalkeeper Hladky, and Woolfenden was full of praise for the Czech glovesman on his impact on the side this season.

“He’s started unbelievably,” Woolfenden said of the shot-stopper. “Walts [Christian Walton] got injured quite late on into pre-season so he probably came into the season not expecting to be that number one. The injury to Walts was unfortunate for him, but Vaz had taken his chance and not looked back.

“He’s comfortable playing out from the back, he’s made great saves and has had a great season.

“In terms of seeing his shot-stopping in training, you see that. But also when we play small-sided games he’s effectively an outfielder, sometimes it goes wrong but the majority of the time he’s flicking it over people’s heads or he’s doing Cruyff turns.

“None of that is any surprise to any of us, we all knew how composed and calm he is on the ball.”

The Blues defender, having been born in Ipswich, was also asked about what it would mean to him to get promoted to the Premier League.

Emotionally, he replied: “It would be unbelievable. It’s a tough question because I’ve never thought of it. Since I’ve been in the first team, we’ve always been in League One trying to get to the Championship.

“Before this season I’ve never really thought about getting to the Prem, but it’s a club that is massive within Suffolk and outreaching that.

“Everyone really wants the club to do well, and the backing that it’s got now it really feels like it’s got that upward trajectory where it could fly and explode.

“I was a kid sitting in the crowd when we lost in the play-offs to Norwich a few years ago and getting relegated from the Prem, it would be unbelievable for me to be from here and I’ve got a lot of mates that are Ipswich supporters. It really would be unbelievable.

“I would’ve been about three or four [when Town were last in the Premier League], but I’ve seen the clips of it. That’s probably why it feels unreal for me because I don’t remember it, it seems so far away but it wasn’t that far away.

“You’ve got that whole new generation of fans that will become even bigger if we get to the Premier League.”

Finally, the academy graduate was asked to reflect on his first East Anglian derby, having played in the 2-2 draw with Norwich City at Portman Road in December.

“I’m really looking forward to the away game,” he said. “Just turning up for the game was probably the part of me that was really proud. It took me back a bit, but I’m quite a relaxed and calm guy so when it came to the game it was just another game by that point.

“But leading up to the game and the drive-in was unbelievable, the atmosphere throughout the game and before it was something special.”

Photo: TWTD

Andy32Cracknell added 17:18 - Feb 29 Got absolutely no issue the style of football, some of our football has been outstanding. I get that Wolfy is still relatively young for a centre half and still learning his position but he really needs to work on his concentration and defending one vs one. How many goals we’ve conceded when Wolfy keeps backing off and backing off, it’s very frustrating. But can’t get away that this has been fantastic season and hopefully we still beat dirty Leeds to that second place. COYB

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TimmyH added 17:22 - Feb 29 If he gets too close to his opponent there's only 1 person getting caught in that trap and that's himself...saying that he has had some better composed games but he's a long way off being a Butcher, Beattie or even a De Vos.
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SpiritOfJohn added 17:45 - Feb 29 Interesting Q and A session. I feel that Woolfenden has the potential to play at the highest level, as he has all the attributes. I know that Woolfie is a laid back character, but I would like to see him add a meaner/nastier side to his game and improve his tackling. Maybe Morsy could give him some pointers?
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MK1 added 17:48 - Feb 29 Got no problem with us playing out from the back, as long as we lump it forward if we get into trouble. To often we get deeper and deeper before losing it. If the press is to good, just get rid and take away the danger. Worked so well for us so far, just have to look at the league table for that, but get the ball gone if the press is good and early.
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whymark4lazio0 added 19:27 - Feb 29 Case in point. There were one or two moments in this build-up where it was tight and some fans were probably thinking- Just get rid of it!. But this drew in the opposition and allowed Chaplin to switch it to Davis in acres of space. The rest is history:-
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pennblue added 20:40 - Feb 29 Its difficult at times to know as a supporter what you can do best to help the team. Rotherham game sticks out in particular, did the team need the crowd to start getting a bit riled, not sure, it did not seem to make a difference that night. I think the majority of the fans do get it, but the moans will always sound louder. Regardless, the bond is there and its strong. The supporters know how good this team is, and they have waited years for a team of players that care, and stand up every game, week in, week out, and no-one goes missing! Very rare indeed.

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BlueRuin69 added 06:48 - Mar 1 Nothing difficult about it, Support your team who sit joint second in the league which in itself is an indicator of the things your whining about are working. Some fans will always be clueless muppets! Coyb
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Bazza8564 added 08:38 - Mar 1 To be honest, and i'll probably cop some flak for saying it, an overload to some of our fans is when the lights dim The players are doing exactly what they are told by a manager with the best 100 game record ever. Sadly some will never get it and some think they know best. Thankfully they aren't in charge!
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ArnieM added 08:39 - Mar 1 Andy32Cracknell: absolutely spot on! I’ve been saying for the last 2-3 seasons our defence can’t actually defend and Woolfenden flatters to deceive in that respect, especially. McKenna picks him for his ability to help bring the ball out of defence. But that is NOT “ defending”. You pick out the same shortcomings I notice in his DEFENSIVE game. He’s meant to be a centre back. Yet we rely almost entirely on Burgess’ ability to get the tackles, blocks, clearance headers and physical presence in our box. Woolfenden posses precious little of these attributes. Yet I have been vilified by the clique on here for daring to voice my views on their golden boy! I’m so pleased you have raised the same issues I see week in week out. How funny though, you get upvotes for having the same opinion as myself. We need a defensive overhaul in the summer. Unfortunately I don’t see Axel managing to stay fit and remain here because I would pair him with Burgess for the remain games this season (he has pace, physical presence, ability to header, tackle etc), but his fitness is his biggest problem. Going forwards for next season whatever division we are in, we need an overhaul. Davis will be gone next season, and Williams ( head right and on his game) would be a fantastic right back, but his wages puts him out of our reach. I’d keep Burgess (maybe as back up assuming we bring in two CB’s), but I’m sorry to say Edmundson, Woolfenden, aren’t good enough. Whether Baggot could make the step up is questionable (definitely not at PL ), yet. For the record, I wish no ill towards Woolfenden, Clarke, or Edmundson. I’m Blue to the bone and have been for over 60 yrs, and I only ever want the best for our Club.But I think have as much right to voice my views as any other fan on this forum and just because it differs from some, doesn’t make it any less valid or make me a criminal for having that opinion. There’s too much bullying going on here by some individuals. A sad reflection on society these days I feel. COYBs

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bobble added 09:06 - Mar 1 never understood why the opposition teams bother chasing the ball in our half at kick outs, if they just stood on the halfway line our tactics would no longer work...
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KMcBlue added 13:51 - Mar 1 Completely agree Arnie. If we are not promoted it will be due to lack of investment in defence. We simply ship too many goals. Nothing to do with playing style.
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chepstowblue added 15:55 - Mar 1 I've been to many games this season where you can visibly see Hladky and Woolfy's knee's knocking as they p*ss about with it on the edge of the six yard box. It's fine if you know what to do and when to do it. But at times the decision making is atrocious. Stick it into Row Z occasionally. I'd rather that than go a goal down looking like petrified schoolboys. Woolfy is much improved, but the goals conceded against Lowe of Swansea and Fellows of West Brom allows bring me back to the same conclusion.....that he is still lightweight and dopey !

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burntmybuns added 16:41 - Mar 1 The way some of you talk about us playing from the back you'd think we were close to getting relegated. We are joint 2nd from playing this style! Some of you need to relax and have faith. We rarely ever conceded as a result of playing from the back, the mistakes come from elsewhere.
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PhuketPete added 02:48 - Mar 2 We all need to give the young guy a break. 3 years ago he was barely a starter in a mediocre L1 side. With top coaching he improved with the rest of the team and became a top L1 defender. We got promoted and he’s improved again and is now a decent Championship CB. With continued coaching and playing against better players, he will continue to improve. Maybe he will or maybe he won’t become a Terry Butcher class CB but if he’s good enough for KMc we need to get off his back.

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