Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has been explaining what the turning point in his City Ground career has been. Last night, he fired home his 12th goal of the campaign has the Reds beat Fulham 3-1 on Trentside.
Wood has been a man on a mission during the 2023/24 campaign. From the moment he returned from a thigh injury in pre-season, he’s been in fine form and right now he’s enjoying his football.
The 32-year-old has been around the game for a long time. It’s fair to say, however, that he wasn’t a popular signing among the fan base when Steve Cooper took him from Newcastle for £15 million.
Last season, he scored just one goal and after being substituted away at Tottenham in March, he didn’t play again – requiring surgery on a troublesome injury.
Now, a stuttering start to life at Forest looks to be behind Wood. With Taiwo Awoniyi injured, he’s leading the line and he’s paid tribute to one man behind the scenes at Forest.
What Chris Wood has said about Nuno Espirito Santo
The Portuguese boss came to Forest in December following the departure of Steve Cooper. Wood has been transformed under the new head coach and when Forest attack, the talisman comes alive.
Wood now has 12 goals to his name this season and that’s a return that nobody would have predicted last summer. The player has worked hard to come back stronger and now he’s the main man in attack.
The talisman has enjoyed working with Espirito Santo at Forest. He’s raved about him after last night’s game and feels the new head coach has made him come alive.
Wood told TNT Sports: “The new manager has come in and he’s been fantastic for me. He’s given me the confidence to come into the team and be the main man and he’s been really good for me.”
Wood has silenced his Forest critics
It’s always nice when supporters are forced to eat a nice slice of humble pie and with Wood, that’s exactly what the Forest faithful have been forced to do.
Many supporters felt that the Reds were wasting money when they took a chance on Wood in January 2023. He scored just one goal and that came in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
The Reds were rampant in the first half last night and they blew Fulham away with a devastating 45-minute spell. The Cottagers actually made three changes after just 33 minutes such was their level of performance.
Wood has knuckled down after a tough first six months at Forest. He came back looking fitter, leaner and stronger in pre-season and this season he’s been worth his weight in gold.
What next for Wood?
Well, the big target man is out of contract in the summer and it’s fair to say that Wood is fighting to stay at Forest. He earns around£80,000-a-week at the City Ground and at 32, he might not be kept on.
Still, if he keeps Forest in the Premier League this season he will have proved his worth to the football club. Indeed, on current form, it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t deserve his time at Forest to be extended.
Wood is proving a popular member of the Forest dressing room. He’s giving his all in every single game and in the current predicament that is all anyone can ask.
Espirito Santo has clearly been good for Wood. In fairness, he was the only fit striker available when he came to the club but he’s quickly identified a style of play that is getting the very best out of the striker.
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