Anyone who has watched the 1967 American prison drama will be familiar with those words spoken by Luke Jackson and played by Paul Newman.” Calling it a job don’t make it right, boss.”And they could just as equally apply to our very own cool hand Luke, who is a forgotten man these days.
I have always admired Luke Woofenden, and I think he has been dreadfully unlucky to lose his place – not only in the team but in the squad as a whole. He played right through August with several different centre-backs, which did not help his cause. Toto Nsiala was his first partner, but he was helped off in tears after just 37 minutes in our first home game against Morecambe when Janoi Donacien took his place.
In the next two fixtures, he was partnered again by Donacien before Cameron Burgess arrived on the scene in the 2-2 draw with MK Dons. The same central defensive partnership occurred in the 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon at Portman Road, but as we waved goodbye to August, we also waved goodbye to cool hand Luke, who found himself involved in reserve team football.
And that’s the way it has been ever since. In fairness, he did make a few bench-warming appearances in September but played no active part in any game, and in October -mainly thanks to the form of George Edmundson and the re-appearance of Toto Nsiala, he has not even been a sub! That place is now reserved for an out of sorts Cameron Burgess.
Blues legend Mick Mills seemed to agree on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Final Whistle show – immediately after our last gasp winner against Fleetwood Town.
“I really do hope that Paul Cook (manager) does not forget about the guy, because I think he is a very talented player and if he had the opportunity – and he should only get the opportunity when the time is right, to play between Donacien in the form that he’s in, and George Edmundson who’s tough and uncompromising and ready to give a rollicking to anybody whose a little laid back and a little bit lethargic, as he did to Celina a couple of times today, I think that would do Luke Woofenden the world of good”
He has been a bit unlucky and if there is one area of the field that I think still needs further scrutiny it is our defence. Christian Walton is no better in my view than our other two goalkeepers vying for his position, and although he made a couple of good reflex saves on Saturday, he was still at fault with the goal. He is only on loan of course, and this has become a bit of a bad habit during his time with Brighton, having been loaned out eight times already, and he is still only 25!
Janoi Donacien has excelled in place of Kane Vincent-Young and George Edmondson – although playing slightly out of position as a left-sided centre half has done OK.
Nsiala is my main concern. I always feel there is a mistake waiting to happen, and although he has improved of late, he still makes me nervous whenever I watch him in action.
The good news is the co-owner Brett Johnson witnessed a Town victory and what a victory it was! There is nothing finer than grabbing the winner four minutes into time added on, and even more magical when it comes from the foot of Bersant Celina. He is a man for the big occasion and now Town find themselves 10th in the table and on the rise!
Yes Frank i tend to agree with you to a certain extent Luke is without doubt a talented player but lacks maturity. I think you contradicted your self when you said Toto’s always got a mistake in him. Luke also has made some right howlers especially this season . If he can sort his head out Luke is without doubt talented enough to force himself back into the first team.
To be honest Keith, I was on Radio Suffolk on Saturday and said that Woolfenden is a bit accident prone but so too is every Town defender, but there is something about Nsiala that makes me even more nervous. Perhaps it is not justified, but he is a bit reckless at times, and has given away the odd penalty. I guess this is why.
Mick Mills made an interesting point, which is highlighted above. He is of the view that if Woolfenden played alongside George Edmundson that would rid him of his lethargy. There is little doubt that Woolfenden is a technically gifted defender, if he could stay focused long enough.