Nuno Espirito Santo oversaw a 2-1 win for Nottingham Forest over Burnley on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.
The result sees Forest preserve their Premier League status for another campaign.
Forest spent just 12 days inside the bottom three of the relegation zone this season and that has to be viewed as progress.
Now, the challenge for Espirito Santo is to rest, recoup and be prepared to go again in August when the season resumes.
After yesterday’s win at Turf Moor – which sparked joyous celebrations at the end – Espirito Santo heaped praise on one of his star players.
What Nuno Espirito Santo said about Chris Wood
He’s had a few this season but this was another day to remember for New Zealand international Chris Wood.
The Reds striker has arguably been the surprise package of this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.
Yesterday, he rocked another of his former clubs by scoring twice in 14 minutes to silence the home boo-boys.
In December, he returned to Newcastle to score a brilliant hat-trick and it’s been a fine season for the 32-year-old.
Espirito Santo has been a big fan of Wood since he came to the club in December – and now he’s suggested that he must be kept around the club.
The head coach told Nottinghamshire Live: “He’s very important. Chris gives a lot – not only the goals he scores, but also the way he is our reference points, the way he holds the ball and the movement. He is a fantastic player.
“We all know he wet through a tough spell, but we keep the confidence because Chris is fantastic. Besides being a very good football player, he is also a very nice boy.”
Forest have big decision to make on Wood
The international talisman has proved his doubters wrong during his time at Forest.
He initially signed on loan from Newcastle but after starting three games, the loan became permanent for a fee of £15 million.
That sum of money seemed a lot for a player who had struggled a little bit during his time at St James’ Park.
It’s fair to say that nobody really saw his goal tally of this year on the horizon but he’s stuck to his strengths, kept his head down and reaped the rewards.
Now, Forest have got some thinking to do because Wood is out of contract.
The £80,000-a-week deal that he signed in January 2023 is up and Forest must decide whether Wood warrants an extension.
In our view, letting the club’s leading goalscorer walk away for nothing would be a bad decision.
Wood at 32 might not be a regular starter going into next season but as a member of the leadership group, he is a big influence in the dressing room.
With that in mind, hopefully, something can be agreed and Forest can squeeze at least another year out of Wood after his exploits this season.
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