Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has defended himself following Blues defender Luke Woolfenden’s claim the former Wolves striker would have been disappointed by Town’s promotion to the Premier League.

Speaking during Monday’s promotion parade in the park, Woolfenden was asked whether things could get any better than that.

“It will get better when we have a moment’s silence for Don Goodman,” the centre-half responded.

“I think he’ll be absolutely gutted we got promoted. He’s been calling us a crap all season. Put that in your pipe, Don, and have a good weekend mate!”

Woolfenden made similar comments live on Sky’s coverage of the parade, which Goodman was made aware of by a colleague.

“Paul Gilmore, the Sky reporter, called me to warn that it happened and had gone out unedited on Sky News when it wasn't supposed to,” Goodman told OLBG. “It was really kind of Paul but I was very surprised, to be honest.

“I've been nothing but complimentary about Ipswich Town from the moment they beat Sunderland on the opening day up until their promotion was confirmed.

“It just seems like Luke Woolfenden has a problem with me rather than anyone else at the club. I'm going to be a grown-up about it, but unfortunately Luke has been a little immature.

“The only other thing I can think of that Luke may have taken personally was my observation reference what it usually takes from a defensive perspective to get into the top two of the Championship.

“They had conceded a lot of goals compared to the likes of Leicester City and Leeds United and it's a fact that across the last 10 years and 20 automatically-promoted teams, there has not been a side which has conceded more than Ipswich's 57 goals. That is a fact.

“I can only imagine being a defender, that's where Luke has taken it personally. I genuinely can't think of anything else.”

Goodman, who was targeted by George Burley during his time as a player at Wolves in the late 1990s, continued: “'Perhaps it was me saying before the derby game that Norwich could beat Ipswich at Carrow Road if they ‘brought their A-game’. I then got dog's abuse while walking through Ipswich fans at Carrow Road and that wasn't pleasant.

“All for saying what to most football fans, with Norwich being at home, something that probably made sense.

“To have hundreds of people booing you, calling your names, a few getting in your face, being very personable and making horrible comments, was not pleasant.

“If Luke can find any footage where, quoting him, I've called them ‘crap all season’ he needs to dig it out and show me. In fact, I don't think I would have kept my job with Sky Sports if I was calling Ipswich ‘crap all season’.

“I don't know what Luke has heard or seen but I feel really sad that on the biggest and best day of his footballing life, he's thinking about me. Go and celebrate with your friends and family, you have just achieved the most incredible thing. Unfortunately, I feel sad that Luke has got me on his brain even though I've praised them all season long.

“If someone wants to call me out in such a public way in front of thousands of fans, I need to address it. There's no bitterness in the slightest from me and I genuinely wish them all the best next season. I have nothing but admiration for everyone at the football club.”

Reflecting on how Town might approach their first season back in the Premier League, Goodman added: “It surprises me that, and I'm not talking about Ipswich Town, but promoted teams in general tend to spend large amounts of their money on strikers, number 10s and wide players.

“The first area promoted teams should look to solidify is the defence. It's important that nobody takes this as a dig at Ipswich.

“Sheffield United have conceded 100 goals. Luton have conceded 78 and Burnley 74. There is no team anywhere close to those numbers and there are several players in those teams who were defending successfully last season.

“Anyone with half a brain can understand why that is the case. The teams promoted to the Premier League will be up against most of the best attackers in the world.”

Photo: Sipa USA

Bazza8564 added 10:55 - May 13 Well, I thought Goodman did nothing but run us down all season, it was all about Leeds Southampton and Leicester which is what Sky seemed to want, and given all three promoted teams got relegated again, it just shows what a closed shop the sky boys like. The other thing I got wound up by Goodman was really trying to justify his big opinions on everything with a career in which he won....... nothing?? At least next season we will have Carrager, Neville and Keane who actually have some credibility in the game through their own achievements.

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mathiemagic added 13:47 - May 13 Think Woolfy needs to keep his thoughts to himself personally, not seen or heard of any actual crticism of ITFC from Goodman? - As for next seaon if there is not a serious defensive overhaul then I am afraid we will be relegated. I think only Burgess and Davis can make the step up. Would be handy to keep Hutch and Sarmiento but I doubt either Brighton or Chelsea will want to loan players to a fellow Prem team. Maybe we can push the boat out and sign them both?

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Rozeeboy74 added 15:04 - May 13 The issue is that these pundits have 24 Championship teams to have an opinion on and the lazy opinion is Leeds, Leicester and Southampton. That is nothing more that I would have expected to get from my nan who writes out the pools coupon each week. What gets missed is that in-depth knowledge of what we are doing at ITFC and as we live and breath it, it's annoying when the so-called professionals can't see it (or don't even look for it). In fact, I have stopped listening to any of the analysis as I can't take any more waffle from the likes of Troy Deeney and Aaron McLean so I will confess, I had no idea what Woolfy was referring to. Unfortunately, my generation had the legend that was John Motson who lived and breathed football and would have a deep knowledge of both clubs he was commentating on. These days it's just an bunch of old faces pulling a salary.

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OldFart71 added 17:18 - May 13 I know commentators are meant to be controversial. For instance Talk Sport always have two with completely different views to stir fans into phoning in. But I do find a lot of the ex players talk absolute rubbish. Martin Keown, here we have a player who on purpose hit Rudd Van Nistelroy on the head. He talks about goalkeepers as if he knows everything about them. A player either doesn't score when he should have or makes mistakes in defence. Of course he never did, did he ? Some are so up themselves it's a wonder they get their heads into a wide screen tv.

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