Woolfenden: A Politics Behind Town Team Selections
Monday, 6th Oct 2025 14:35

Former Blues central defender Luke Woolfenden has cited “a politics” behind his lack of opportunities at Town which led to his £4 million move to Coventry City in August.

Woolfenden had been a key member of Kieran McKenna’s side during the back-to-back promotion seasons but drifted out of the picture in the Premier League campaign following the addition of Dara O’Shea, now the club captain, making only 12 starts and three sub appearances over the course of the year.

The 26-year-old made it clear over the summer he wanted to move on with a number of Championship clubs keen and the Sky Blues, who sit at the top of the table as it stands, won the race.

However, Woolfenden has only made two sub appearances so far, as a sub in the 4-0 and 5-0 hammerings of Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday over the last week.

Speaking in a press conference along with manager Frank Lampard ahead of the Owls match, Woolfenden was asked about his lack of games so far with the Sky Blues.

“I’m not too sure there is much I can do to get in the team if the boys keep playing like that - they’ve not conceded a goal in three games, are blowing teams away 4-0, 3-0, are keeping clean sheets and looking good.

“For me at the minute, it’s just a matter of being ready when that time comes and I’m completely fine with that because I was at a club where, regardless of whether you took your opportunity or not, there was kind of a politics behind it that you weren’t in the team for that reason or this reason.

”Whereas here, Frank’s told me the boys are doing a job that they’re doing really well, so I’ve just got to wait for my time. And I think that’s the best way to coach football team.”

Meanwhile, Luton Town have sacked former Town academy youngster and coach Matt Bloomfield after only nine months in charge.

Bloomfield, 41, joined the Hatters in January after leaving Wycombe Wanderers but couldn’t prevent their relegation from the Championship. The Bedfordshire side are currently 11th in League One having won five, drawn one and lost five this season.

Photo: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images via Reuters Connect

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Arthur_Hayes added 16:07 - Oct 6 Woolfy was a decent defender for us, but ultimately he isn’t strong or fast enough for what we’re aiming for - Premiership footy. I think Kipre, O’Shea and Greaves are all better centre backs than him.
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jungleboy added 16:13 - Oct 6 Woolfy did great for us in our double promotions seasons. His comments are understandable but it's a shame as we may want to sign him back one day. That is good reason why you shouldn't be critical of your previous employers.
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poet added 17:09 - Oct 6 Very churlish, needs to grow up. His blunder to the press almost matches some that he frequently made on the pitch. Bottom line is, he wasn’t good enough. Doesn’t seem to be able to rectify that problem does he, Lampard desperately resisting the temptation to pick him.
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Bluewhiteboy added 17:10 - Oct 6 Teh irony is woolfy proper a bigger fan those half of those posting. He knows more about eaht happened, hes said hes part without being disrespectful, sure you've all had worse to say about previous employers or bosses.
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Tellitasitis added 17:23 - Oct 6

I think what Woofie is saying in plain English is Mckenna has spent best part of 40mil on 2 centre half's so it would look bad if he all of a sudden played Woofie and Burgress and let face it at times i think we all would of preferred that it the same situation with Broadhead and Chaplin end of last beginning of this we would of preferred those two ahead of Philogene and Clarke but again it would of looked bad spending 40 mil on those two and having 80mil sat on the bench but atm they are both on fire but did all four of those players burgess, woofie, broadhead and chaplin deserve to be dropped and bombed out of the club??
End of the day it Mckenna's choice and we will know at the end of the season if he is wrong or right.
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Everydayblue added 17:29 - Oct 6 He's made himself look a right idiot, here. Very low IQ.. No wonder he believes that Lampard is going to play him. Bench fodder at Cov'.
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armchaircritic59 added 17:52 - Oct 6

I was a fan of LW when he was here and thought he deserved more game time. Seems he's not getting it at Coventry either at the moment. Sometimes in life it's better just to keep your thoughts to yourself, especially if you can't offer up any concrete 100% irrefutable proof of whatever it is that concerns you. I'm sure Greaves didn't think he was being favoured yesterday!

I still wish LW all the best of luck, just hope he becomes a little wiser.

oldelsworthyfan added 18:01 - Oct 6 I thought LW looked good in Div 1, ok in the Championship, but out of his depth in the Premiership. Kipre looks so much better!
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ArnieM added 18:17 - Oct 6 Bang average player, and showing his true self now. Sick of hearing about him. The amount of noise coming from him, you'd tbink he was some kind of mega star. He's a nothing in the game, and now warming the bench at Coventry.
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Bert added 18:18 - Oct 6 Some excellent posts on here regarding Wolfenden’s statement. The fact that his valuation at £4m is much lower than that of his contemporaries suggests that our investment decisions are based on qualities needed now as distinct from what we could afford in the last two decades. That said the market value of footballers is not necessarily what they are worth !
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Dissboyitfc added 18:37 - Oct 6 Bluewhiteboy Luke wolfenden is a Man Utd fan, don’t let facts get in the way, priceless!!
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Jugsy added 19:24 - Oct 6

Bluewhiteboy - being closer to the situation doesn’t necessarily means he knows more. He knows his opinion, that might not align with the club’s best interests, in fact it’s very unlikely to. He’s got to look after his own stock and I respect that, but it’s ill advised to slate people in pursuit of that. Frank won’t be telling him that it was a good idea to do that.

Rimsy added 20:13 - Oct 6 If he hadn't been an Ipswich boy, he would have been shipped out much sooner. For some reason he believes he is better than he actually is. I always thought he was so slow and always liable to mess up. Lacks class insinuating McK left him out for anything other than football reasons, gone down in my estimation.
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bigolconnor added 20:31 - Oct 6 Chris Smith I completely agree with you
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 21:14 - Oct 6 My way of looking at this is more about Wolfie’s ability to adjust how he plays. If KmC has tried to coach him and make him better but the advice don’t stick in Wolfies head, he is not going to Improve. So is this the bigger issue, Wolfie won’t be coached ?
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Billericay12 added 21:49 - Oct 6

Hladky was No2 to Walton, got his place back and kept it with consistent performances for a whole season. No politics there !
Reality is O Shea was bought to replace Wolfy as first choice right side CB and he is an upgrade. If anyone should feel disappointed it is Burgess who was as good or better than Greaves at times when he did play. We should all have full trust in Kmk. He has been brilliant for our club. When you have a big squad it is impossible to keep everyone happy.

churchmans added 22:35 - Oct 6 Maybe its true maybe it isnt! But i dont care,as long the team are performing and getting results thats all i care about! Still like woolfy he is ipswich boy
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mathiemagic added 08:55 - Oct 7 Sad to hear the sour grapes, but there is, and should never be, sentiment in football. He did well for us in the lower leagues but is bang average at Champ level. Kipre and Greaves are better players with Kipre being the best of the bunch and a massive improvement on Woolfy. Just move on with good grace and enjoy the Coventry bench.
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tractorboybig added 09:42 - Oct 7 better than what km has brought........
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BurleysGloryDays added 12:10 - Oct 7

Well we can see it’s not like that at Cov mate.

Because you’re still not playing!

Love old Woolf and he’s a club hero - but he should realise attacking the club isn’t smart.

KMK gave you iconic status at the club that many other homegrowns would die for. KMK also supported you to leave when we were trying to keep a squad together.

Risking much by lacking class and smarts. Totally self-defeating.

rugbytomc added 12:19 - Oct 7 Chrissmith I don’t disagree I just think if anyone was entitled to say it, it’s Chappers not Woolfenden! I always thought he was error prone and out of his depth. Chaplin however being moved on this season despite playing better than SS or Akpom
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ArnieM added 12:54 - Oct 7

" Politics" seems to follow him about doesnt it . Lambert , then Cook and then Mckenna all dropped him or simply didnt pick him,...then he goes to Coventry , and blow me , hes not picked again.

Politics every where in life... . try reflecting on your own shortcoming s there's plenty to find and you wont need to look to hard either), Failing that maybe you should try Fly fishing, ... more your pace tbh .

blues1 added 14:15 - Oct 7 Tellitasitis. Mckenna hasnt bombed anyone out of the club. Every player thats left did so of their own volition. A couple yes, bcse they weren't playing as much as they think they should. Woolfie and Chaplin, who by his own admission has been bang average st pompey so far. Others have left bcse they've got better contract offers
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budgieplucker added 17:28 - Oct 7

I think the lad is entitled to his opinion as he see it's. Whilst not explicitly being asked by the interviewer why he left Ipswich there is a certain amount of implicity in "why he chose Coventry", he's hardly going to say well I am not good enough for Ipswich but believe I am for Coventry. In being brief about his reasons it is a difficult one on the spot to be diplomatic and articulate for the average footballer. As @spiritofjohn pointed out since O'Shea has been appointed captain then he is unlikely to be dropped in favour of Woolfie unless he has a complete loss of form. Sad to see the lad go as I don't think there is much between him and O'Shea apart from O'Shea's ability to lead as a captain.

BurleysGloryDays added 20:07 - Oct 7 I was head in hands at O’Shea after a couple of mins at the start of the derby - however - he then literally made our first goal out of bloody determination with that back post header. Does a lot that’s not properly acknowledged. Woolfy never a chance of making that goal in same way imo. Woolfy great passer, that’s the only attribute over O’Shea.
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