Fans have picked up on Ian Wright appearing to hit back at Des Lynam for criticising Laura Woods' 'overfamiliarity' with the former Arsenal striker.
Woods is working as a presenter and Wright as a pundit for broadcaster ITV during this year's World Cup. While most fans have been focussing on what has been happening on the pitch rather than the studio, Lynam wrote a column analysing the work of the pundits following the first round of games.
In that column, he took aim at Woods for calling Wright by his nickname, 'Wrighty', as many other presenters do. The duo were working for ITV covering Netherlands' win over Senegal, leading to Lynam delivering his bizarre criticism.
"This was the first live match for ITV and was presented by the ever–smiling Laura Woods. She has done quite a lot of presentation work on both radio and television and comes over as both confident and capable," Lynam wrote for the Daily Telegraph.
"She called Ian Wright ‘Wrighty’ which sounds comfortable coming from the likes of Lineker but it made me slightly wince. I may be wrong and perhaps they are close friends but the over-familiarity made me a touch uncomfortable.
"The other pundits were Gary Neville and the former Dutch international Nigel de Jong. Laura refrained from calling them Gaz or Nige."
Woods hit back at the former presenter on Twitter, writing: "Jeez. Of all the things covered this is what made Des wince?” Wright posted his own message in defence of Woods.
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He tweeted: “How’s Des vexed that Laura called me ‘Wrighty’!!! Looking for something negative to write,” alongside a GIF featuring the text “I know a hater’s voice when I hear it.”
Now, Wright has made another attempt to back up Woods, ahead of France's clash with Denmark on Saturday. As the players were walking out from the tunnel, Woods said: "Is that another example, Ian, of where some people aren't impressed by it?"
Wright then shrugged before responding: "You know what Lozza, it doesn't matter, you don't have to call me Ian. Look, how long we've known each other? Call me Wrighty like you normally do."
He then proceeded to answer Woods' question, with the presenter heard laughing in the background. The reason behind Wright's message was not lost on many viewers, who took to social media to applaud the Arsenal legend.
One viewer tweeted: "What a great response from 'Ian' ahead of the France vs Denmark kick off." Another added: "Ian Wright dropping ‘Lozza’ and inviting Laura Woods to call him ‘wrighty’. He just oozes charisma."
A third said: "Big fan of Laura Woods continuing to refer to Ian Wright as 'Wrighty' despite what another pundit has said about that recently feels blatant. Here for it."
Another joked: "Telegraph’d that one Wrighty," while another said: "Hope Desmond is wincing a bit more at this." A final fan concluded: "How can Woodsie, an Arsenal fan, even contemplate calling Wrighty anything else love you both!!"
