Nuno Espirito Santo desperately needs a Nottingham Forest win or two and with Chris Wood in the team one thing he does have his goals.
Forest drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Wood scoring his 11th of the campaign in all competitions.
It’s been some transformation for the 32-year-old who arrived amid a backdrop of criticism from supporters who felt he wasn’t good enough.
Wood managed just one goal last season for Forest – with his only strike coming against Manchester City – and injury saw him miss the final weeks.
In the summer, Wood got himself fit and he returned to Forest action looking stronger and leaner than ever.
When Taiwo Awoniyi was injured in November, the striker stepped up to the plate and he’s not really looked back.
Now, ahead of tonight’s game against Fulham, Espirito Santo has been discussing Wood and the qualities he brings to the team.
What Nuno Espirito Santo has said about Forest star Chris Wood
Well, it’s been some season for Forest star Wood and it’s fair to say that he’s rammed the words of his critics back down their throats.
On Saturday, his header was remarkable and had Lionel Messi scored a similar goal, Sky Sports would produce a documentary about it.
Ahead of tonight’s game with Fulham, Espirito Santo was asked whether or not Forest striker Wood reminded him of Raul Jimenez.
The Cottagers talisman could come up against Forest tonight and they’re now managed by the head coach who signed him for Wolves.
Espirito Santo told Nottinghamshire Live: “I think it’s not my credit. It’s all about them, their characteristics are more important than anything that surrounds these kinds of players. The quality of Chris is different from Raul.
“But as long as Chris is on the pitch we trust him so much that he’s going to deliver for us. He’s a fantastic professional. We’ve got to keep him healthy, to help him and for sure, he’s going to give us a big hand.”
Forest can survive if striker stays fit
It sounds strange to even say if but if Forest are going to survive this season then they simply have to hope that Wood stays fit.
When he’s been in form this season, he looks like bagging every time he plays and on Saturday things were no different.
In the first half of the Forest draw against Palace, Wood was feeding on scraps and barely touched the ball.
However, the second period was much different and all it took was one telling pass from Morgan Gibbs-White and Wood had his latest goal.
Wood is a man in red-hot form and Forest desperately need to keep him fit.
In our view – with Taiwo Awoniyi currently injured – we’re now at the point where Forest’s status as a Premier League depends solely on the fitness of Wood.
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