Yahoo News Ex-Wolves star Don Goodman hits back at Ipswich players who mocked him after promotion
Former Wolves striker and current Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has hit back at the Ipswich players who mocked him during their promotion celebrations.
As Ipswich Town players revelled in their ascent to the Premier League, it seemed that Goodman, along with Leeds United, were the main targets of their banter. The Tractor Boys, under the guidance of manager Kieran McKenna, have achieved consecutive promotions and marked the occasion with a lively parade.
During the festivities, players like Luke Woolfenden took the opportunity to address the crowd and cameras. In a cheeky dig at Leeds United, the jubilant Ipswich squad was heard singing "Leeds are falling apart again," to the tune of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'.
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This chant was a playful jab at Daniel Farke's team, who, despite being on 86 points with six games left, managed to secure only one more win, ultimately finishing third, as Mirror Online reported. The controversy peaked when Ipswich's Luke Woolfenden made a pointed remark about Don Goodman.
Captured on video, Woolfenden quipped: "For six weeks now I've listened to Don Goodman tell us we're not good enough to do anything in the Prem like we did in the Champ," before he continued with a sarcastic retort: "We're still going to finish mid-table [in the Championship], Don, but don't worry about it."
Goodman has now responded to the centre-back's comments in an interview with OLBG. He expressed his surprise that Sky did not edit out the remarks, stating: "Paul Gilmore, the Sky reporter, called me to warn that it (player jibes) happened and had gone out unedited on Sky News (YouTube channel) when it wasn't supposed to. It was really kind of Paul but I was very surprised, to be honest."
In his defence, Goodman insisted he has always spoken highly of Ipswich, even claiming to have a good relationship with Kieran McKenna, adding: "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. I was surprised after shaking hands with Kieran McKenna, Sam Morsy, Wes Burns and Leif Davies prior to kick-off on Saturday."
Reflecting on the situation, Goodman believes his comments before Ipswich's match against rivals Norwich may have upset the Tractor Boys. He said: "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!"
Goodman then lambasted Woolfenden, accusing the 25-year-old of being "immature". He proposes that a particular article he authored might be at the root of the issue. Elaborating further, he said: "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."
Following up, he shed light on the provocative headline of his report which read, 'Goodman predicts Norwich to beat Ipswich', which he stoutly denied having said. Goodman conjectured that some Ipswich fans might have formed an opinion without delving into the whole write-up.
The retired striker also speculated that the only thing that might have irked Woolfenden was his comment concerning the sort of defensive strategy necessary to top the Championship's 2nd spot. Even though confused by Woolfenden's remarks, the high-scoring veteran admitted that such opinions couldn't survive within a broadcasting giant like Sky Sports.
He challenged: "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." Despite this, the ex-West Brom frontman rounded off on a positive note, extending his well-wishes to Ipswich for their Premier League adventure: "Good luck to Luke and good luck to Ipswich in the Premier League next season.
"I hope, as I do with every team from the Championship, they fly the flag and do really well because everyone is saying promoted teams cannot compete. Of course they can."
