Nottingham Forest beat Fulham 3-1 last night and Steve Hodge has been explaining afterwards why Chris Wood keeps getting signed by Premier League clubs.
The striker was in red-hot form once again as the Reds claimed a really important victory at the City Ground. Goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Wood ensured a comprehensive victory on Trentside.
Wood has encountered a remarkable redemption arc this season. In the summer, fans were hoping that Forest would cut their losses and offload the player who had cost £15 million from Newcastle.
The 32-year-old took his total for 2023/24 to 12 in all competitions against Fulham. His long-range effort wasn’t a goal that typically sits in Wood’s portfolio but it was a beauty nonetheless.
After last night’s game, Hodge heaped praise on Forest star Wood for his efforts in the Garibaldi. He also explained why he thinks he knows why clubs have continued signing him throughout his career.
What Steve Hodge has said about Chris Wood
Well, it would appear as though the BBC Radio Nottingham commentator is a big fan of Wood. He’s been speaking highly of the experienced talisman and explained why he’s so impressive.
Wood is scoring for fun at the moment and he’s scored goals in the last three games that Forest have played. His goal last night was brilliant and Hodge has lauded the player for his efforts.
He told BBC Radio Nottingham: “The staggering thing is he doesn’t get that many chances. He gets all kinds of goals, he’s a very composed finisher. He doesn’t thrash at anything and I’m pleased for him, he’s not loud, he’s not brash, he doesn’t want acclaim and he just gets on with it.
“I’m not surprised because if you give him chances he will score goals in this league. He’s a professional, he’s not flashy and he only cares for his teammates and his manager. He’s a brute and that’s why he gets signed by people.”
Wood can keep Forest in the Premier League
In our view, the £80,000-a-week Wood has now firmly silenced his Forest critics. In fairness, when he first signed he didn’t look fit and resembled exactly what he was – a player who hadn’t been playing regular football for Newcastle.
His 2022/23 campaign finished in March after he suffered a thigh injury at Tottenham. After a strong pre-season, he came back looking fit, fresh and ready to start scoring goals for Forest.
Taiwo Awoniyi is currently injured and there is no saying when he will be back to spearhead the Forest attack. Nuno Espirito Santo won’t be drawn on whether he will play again this season.
With Wood in this form, however, he’s undroppable for Forest. Last night he was in fine form and now he deserves the respect that he should have been shown when he first signed for the club.
The New Zealand international has always been a model professional. He’s handled himself like a professional should wherever he’s played and he’s never kicked up a fuss at Forest.
With Wood happy and scoring goals, Forest have a player who knows how to put the ball in the net. In the race for survival, that might just give the Reds an edge over their relegation rivals.
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