Nottingham Forest and its free-scoring striker Chris Wood are proving to be the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.
The 2-0 win over Everton last weekend and Chelsea’s loss to Ipswich Town on Monday meant Forest, which battled against relegation for much of last season, finished 2024 at No. 2 on the Premier League table — its highest position at the end of a year for more than 30 years.
Unlikely hero?
A central figure in Forest’s incredible first half of the 2024-25 season is Wood — an unlikely hero, on the face of it. But look closer and you begin to perceive the 33-year-old New Zealander’s considerable value.
The 6’3” Wood is a centre-forward with many qualities that are associated with the traditional, old-school No. 9. An aerial threat, who can win headers and outmuscle markers, he is a nightmare to defend against in the box when the crosses pour in.
He can also help his own defence release pressure, serving as a target for hastily hoofed ‘out-balls’. By holding defenders off and protecting the ball, he gives his teammates an opportunity to advance up the pitch; at the very least, he wins them some breathing room.
But to limit Wood to a lumbering target-man from a bygone era is to do him an injustice. He has many other facets to his game, some of which were evident in the win over Everton. Sean Dyche’s side has proven difficult to break down, as Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City discovered during Everton’s run of three consecutive draws, but Wood and Forest found a way.
Space invader: Wood’s intelligent movement in and around the box is a significant contributor to his success. | Getty Images
For the first goal, Wood nodded down a long ball to Anthony Elanga on the counter-attack, which the Swedish winger headed back into the centre-forward’s path. What followed was exquisite, Wood deftly lifting a delicate lob over the advancing Jordan Pickford. The run in the channel, giving his team an outlet; the vision to first spot Elanga and then control the headed pass; the poise and awareness to find the most efficient finish: this was the work of a first-rate striker.
Wood turned provider for Forest’s second, setting up Morgan Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White deserves credit for his neat footwork before firing home, but Wood’s assist, while understated, was pivotal. The giant Kiwi dropped deep, finding space to rescue a broken-down counter-attack. He then slid the ball into Gibbs-White’s stride, exploiting Everton’s temporary disorganisation.
Racking up numbers
With 11 Premier League goals this season, Wood has netted double-figures for the sixth time in England’s top-flight — commendable in itself, but even more remarkable given he has achieved the feat with Forest and previously Burnley, not the most productive teams in attack. What’s more, he has outperformed his expected goals (xG) of 7.51, which reflects well on his finishing.
It was at Burnley that Wood played under Dyche, who now holds Everton’s reins, and his former manager was well aware of the threat the 33-year-old posed. “I thought he was excellent [against us], doing all the hard yards… not touching the ball very often but everything he needs to to be an armful,” said Dyche. “He gives them a big focal point and he was the difference in my opinion.”
Dyche also spoke of how Forest’s game-model under Nuno Espirito Santo, with “wide players” and the ability “to get the ball to Woody quickly”, was helping. “A lot of credit to him, credit to his professionalism to keep on top of himself,” said Dyche. “He had a quiet spell when he first went there, a few question marks over him. That can happen with strikers. He’s had that before and he’s come through it. Certainly a very good player, and someone I’ve got a lot of respect for.”
Others are beginning to realise what Dyche has long known. Gary Lineker, one of England’s finest strikers and now a broadcaster, confessed he had underestimated Wood. “I must say I misjudged the quality of the player,” said Lineker. “He’s a better footballer than I thought he was originally, I don’t mind owning that he’s done really well. And again you’re talking about intelligence, he makes the best of his assets with his movement.”
Wood’s self-awareness has played a big part in his ability to maximise his strengths. The combination of his physicality and the speed of the rest of the Forest forward line has worked to great effect so far this season, not least because Wood knows how to play off his teammates.
Aerial monster: The 6’3” Wood’s ability to win headers and outmuscle markers makes him a nightmare to defend against. | Getty Images
“I’m not a man who is going to beat two or three players and stick it in the top corner, I’m a man who relies on service,” he told the BBC. “If they can’t supply me, I can’t score. You have to find where you are appreciated. Managers have their own style. That’s not anything I can control. It just means you might not be in the right area or the manager’s cup of tea. It’s about trying to find the role which fits everyone and fortunately under Nuno it has.”
Wood, who built a reputation in New Zealand as a natural goal-scorer before moving to England in his teens, has made it to the top level the hard way. After joining West Brom’s academy in 2009, he had several loan spells before breaking through with Leeds in the Championship.
Contract situation
Following a successful period at Burnley and a less memorable stint at Newcastle, Wood has found his footing at Forest. The 15 million pounds the club spent on his transfer is increasingly looking like one of the better bargains in Premier League history. With his contract running out at the end of this season, Forest risks losing him on a free, with both AC Milan and Napoli reportedly interested in adding Wood to their attacking range.
Reports in the English media suggest the discussions between Wood and Forest centre on the length of his extension, with the player wanting a two-year deal and the club offering one. Irrespective of how those negotiations progress, Wood is on course to surpass his best top-flight league tally (14 goals for Burnley in 2019-20) and power Forest to its highest Premier League finish since placing third in the 1994-95 season.
Forest fans, who are enjoying the season to the fullest, are dreaming of Europe, but Wood is focusing on the present. “It is about working hard and taking your opportunities when it comes,” he said. Spoken like a true striker, for Wood has done nothing but work hard and take his opportunities in front of goal all his career. It’s just that this season more people are noticing.
Published – January 03, 2025 11:57 pm IST
