Laura Woods goes on social media tirade after Eni Aluko's 'dangerous' comments about male and female pundits

The former Chelsea forward took aim at both ITV and the BBC for overlooking her when assembling their analysis teams, specifically questioning why Ian Wright and Nedum Onuoha were chosen instead.

Woods has now responded firmly to Aluko's complaints, challenging the notion that international experience should automatically secure broadcasting opportunities.

The TNT Sports and ITV presenter rejected the idea that a distinguished playing career entitles someone to a seat on the punditry panel.

"Caps don't win automatic work and they don't make a brilliant pundit either," said Woods.

She outlined what she believes truly distinguishes exceptional analysts in the broadcasting world.

Caps don’t win automatic work and they don’t make a brilliant pundit either. The way you communicate, articulate yourself, do your research, inform your audience, how likeable you are and the chemistry you have with your panel are what makes a brilliant pundit.

— Laura Woods (@laura_woodsy) February 9, 2026

"The way you communicate, articulate yourself, do your research, inform your audience, how likeable you are and the chemistry you have with your panel are what makes a brilliant pundit," she explained.

The presenter's comments suggest that Aluko's reference to her 105 England appearances as justification for inclusion misses the point about what television networks seek when building their coverage teams.

Woods took particular issue with Aluko's assertion that women's football coverage should be handled exclusively by female voices, describing this stance as deeply counterproductive.

"'The women's game should be by women for women' is one of the most damaging phrases I've heard," she stated.

"It will not only drag women's sport backwards, it will drag women's punditry in all forms of the game backwards."

The presenter then argued that restricting who can participate in coverage undermines efforts to expand the sport's audience.

"If you want to grow something, you don't gate keep it. We want to encourage little boys and men to watch women's football too, not just little girls and women," she added.

"And when they see someone like Ian Wright taking it as seriously as he does - they follow suit.

"That's how you grow a sport."

Woods bolstered her defence of ITV's approach by pointing to industry recognition the broadcaster received for its women's football coverage.

She shared an image of the ITV team celebrating their success at the Broadcast Sport Awards 2025, where the network claimed the prize for best production for their Euro coverage.

"Here's a picture of our team at ITV. We won best production at the Broadcast Sport Awards 2025 for our coverage of the women's euros. Seb Hutchinson won best commentator too. So I think ITV got it just right," she said.