Definitely agree with your comments that in most countries around the world, Wood and his 72 EPL goals would have a much higher profile. He's made it clear he will live in England post retirement, and a part of that will be NZ just doesn't offer that many opportunities to ex EPL footballers. Small number of professional coaching jobs, not many media opportunities, no real football panel shows etc etc. It's still all heavily rugby centric.
Though he loves his horses, and that's seems his future strong link to NZ, having a few thoroughbreds running around the Waikato. May still finish his career with a season in the A League.
Forest have games 6th Oct (Chelsea A) and 22nd Oct (Palace at H). That's a good 16 day break over the Oct window. If he's niggle free, and wants to come down under, I'd start him against Tahiti (is a WC qualifier), and put him on the bench against Malaysia.
Would be great if he had a dominant injury free (so needs luck) season at Notts Forest, and got 15 or more goals. As others have said at Forest he now has the best supporting cast of attacking team mates he's ever had in his EPL career, plus a coach who really believes in him. No Olympics next year, so if he's ever going to be a contender for a Halberg gong maybe it's 2025. That would be some deserved NZ sporting recognition.
Though he loves his horses, and that's seems his future strong link to NZ, having a few thoroughbreds running around the Waikato. May still finish his career with a season in the A League.
Forest have games 6th Oct (Chelsea A) and 22nd Oct (Palace at H). That's a good 16 day break over the Oct window. If he's niggle free, and wants to come down under, I'd start him against Tahiti (is a WC qualifier), and put him on the bench against Malaysia.
Would be great if he had a dominant injury free (so needs luck) season at Notts Forest, and got 15 or more goals. As others have said at Forest he now has the best supporting cast of attacking team mates he's ever had in his EPL career, plus a coach who really believes in him. No Olympics next year, so if he's ever going to be a contender for a Halberg gong maybe it's 2025. That would be some deserved NZ sporting recognition.