Chris Wood (Bristol Cities)
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
I have just finished watching the West Brom vs Noocastle game on BBC1 and noticed that Chris played the first 81 mintues. His first professional start.
Well done mate!
PS it was a good buzz for me today to watch two kiwi strikers playing, now if we could get one or two more defenders to join Neslen and maybe Tommy at this level (and some mids and a keeper or two too), NZ really would be heading some where!
Well done mate!
PS it was a good buzz for me today to watch two kiwi strikers playing, now if we could get one or two more defenders to join Neslen and maybe Tommy at this level (and some mids and a keeper or two too), NZ really would be heading some where!
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
I was half watching the game, and only realised who he was about 10 minutes before he got dragged. Missed a great chance, but looked very tidy for a 17 year old kid up against Taylor and Coco the Clown.
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
Report from his coach on how he played,
""ROBERTO Di Matteo has explained his reasons for starting youngster Chris Wood ahead of Simon Cox in today's 1-1 draw with Newcastle.The Hawthorns head coach's decision to hand Wood his full debut alongside Luke Moore in attack was based on match-fitness levels and his physical presence - and he was impressed by the 17-year-old's performance.
Cox, who missed a fortnight of pre-season training due to a niggling ankle injury, started on the bench but the �1.9million summer-signing replaced Wood in the 81st minute to make his Baggies bow.
"I think Chris handled it well," said Di Matteo.
"I didn't have any concerns because he's a big boy.
"He defended set-pieces well and held up the ball very well.
"I think he had a good game.
"Simon missed two weeks of pre-season so he's still a little bit behind in terms of match fitness.
"Also, with Chris, we have a different kind of player up front who is a bit more physical""
Hopefully he gets a couple more starts while cox comes up to match fitness and bangs a couple in to keep his place.
We really just need more midfielders at a high level now IMO, and perhaps a couple more wingbacks, no one really up there apart from Lochhead.
You know we belong together...
Quality, wish they would show Championship on sky t.v haha, or maybe even a bit of highlights from the game on the news
We really just need more midfielders at a high level now IMO, and perhaps a couple more wingbacks, no one really up there apart from Lochhead.
Lochhead isn't really 'up there' either.
Three for me, and two for them.
Knew someone would point that out.
You know we belong together...
Watched the whole game on the beeb. I thought Chris looked pretty good. He's got this almost crouch-esque way of bringin the ball under half-control from long looping passes. Where he differs from crouch is that he seems to be able to actually continue with the ball at his feet/knees (as it's still bouncing) and make good progress forward, with defenders snaping about his heels.
Got into some good scrogin postions too. Found myself screaming at the other strikers to passs him the the ball, only to see them waste the opportunities created by Wood by shooting themselves. For a 17 year old, he's looking very good. Bright future.
phil_style2009-08-10 21:17:28
Crouch-esque eh? Let's hope he starts pulling out the robot for the AWs
You know we belong together...
Wood enjoys 'shock' treatment
Posted on: Mon 10 Aug 2009
CHRIS Wood is hoping he has done enough to hang onto his place after what he described as a 'jaw-dropping' decision to start him in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
The 17-year-old striker only discovered he was part of Roberto Di Matteo's opening-day XI on the morning of the game.
But he overcame his initial shock and nerves to produce an impressive 81-minute display - and on his full professional debut - prove a real handful for experienced Argentina international Fabricio Coloccini.
"I found out on the morning in the team meeting when we went down to the training ground," said Wood.
"I saw my number up and it was very exciting.
"I had no idea.
"I thought maybe I could get on the bench but to see my name in the starting line-up was an amazing feeling.
"My reaction was one of shock.
"When my name came up I just sat there and my jaw dropped - it's a big achievement playing against Newcastle in the first game of the season at home. It was good.
"It worked pretty well.
"I did as I was told and I think I held the ball up well.
"The Championship was harder than I expected.
"Having seen the Premier League I thought dropping down may be a lower standard but the intensity and physicality was still there, up there with the Premier League.
"I want to stay in and around the first-team.
"Hopefully I can kick on, get some more games and see what happens."
Wood could have made it a dream debut had he found the back of net with the rebound from Robert Koren's 57th-minute effort.
But he refused to be fazed by that after listening to the advice of his more experienced team-mates.
"My eyes lit up when the ball came to me," he added.
"Maybe I should have shown more composure, the lads were saying that would come with experience."
The New Zealand international has two-leg qualifier against Bahrain or Saudi Arabia to look forward to in October and November for a place in next summer's World Cup.
But he insists his sights are set firmly on establishing himself as a pro at The Hawthorns and helping the Baggies bounce straight back to the Barclays Premier League.
"I thought we showed against Newcastle we're a force to be reckoned with," said Wood.
"It's disappointing we didn't get more out of the game but positive we did get something.
"All of the teams are tough and I think both clubs will be main contenders.
"The new boss has come in, told us what he wants to do, and how he wants to play.
"Promotion is my main aim.
"The Confederations Cup was an amazing experience.
"Playing for your country is a great achievement and I want to be involved in those two qualifiers - but I want to do well for my club."
Saw Chris came off the bench for the 1st team as they bet Bury 1-0 in the carling cup
Good news seems he is definatly in and around the first team
Bench Role in West Brom's 1nil win over Nottm Forest
ALBION (4-4-1-1): Carson; Zuiverloon (Barnett 71), Martis, Olsson, Mattock; Brunt (Cech 74), Greening, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Koren (Beattie HT); Moore. Subs not used: Kiely (gk), Cox, Wood, Reid.
Started in the game overnight and had an assist, and made a strong tackle to have the ball free up which was put away. Was subbed at 54 mins, not really sure why. Good to see him start
Sweet, I am keeping tabs on this kid, good to see him get some starting time.
Botafogo - Rio de Janeiro and Wellington Phoenix, my two teams til death do us part.
I kind of what him to get a chance in Jordan as well, but we just have so much choice at the moment. Can't we just start, Killen, Wood, Smeltz and Fallon all on the field somewhere...lol
If we build it, they will come...
Good game by Wood today in their 2 - 0 win. On the park the whole time, assisted one goal, had a strong chance turned away and generally was in the play.
Looks like he is doing the business there. Di Matteo has great things to say about him after that game.
Botafogo - Rio de Janeiro and Wellington Phoenix, my two teams til death do us part.
Arguebly he is our top striker now, playing in the toughest competition out of our big 4 players(SPL is below shampionship in my opinion, bar the big two) and starting regularly.
Smeltz and Killen should start worrying about their starting spots.
What I love is it sounds like he's playing as an attacking mid, meaning we can use him beind Smeltz and Killen/Fallon.
Elliot
Bertos McGlinchey
Wood
Smeltz Killen
Although that is probably too light on defence
Oughton Elliot
Wood
Bertos Killen Smeltz
You know we belong together...
Well he's looks more like a channel player rather than a targetman.
Awesome news to hear Wood is getting some good game time AND playing well and making the most of it. Sounds like diMatteo really rates him as well. Lets hope he plays every week for WBA now. Still disappointed that Killen hasnt at least been subbed in a couple of times. Wood will have his eye on Killens starting place in the AW's.
Killen has got 20 mins in both the last league games - but not used in champs league qualifiers
With the likes of Fortun� around, its good to see him get game time.
Wood did not play overnight- ankle injury.
Bednar played instead, and scored 2, in a 2-2 away draw with Sheffield.
Bednar played instead, and scored 2, in a 2-2 away draw with Sheffield.
Even though he hooked up with the AWs, I see that Chris managed game time in Albions win over Fallons Argyle
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
I had a look at their squad the other day and they are quite flush with strikers, so for him to make the squad every week, especially with them doing so well at the moment is a real coup for NZ football.
Fallon can not even get off the bench at the moment for a team yet to win this season. Woods surely has to be our number 2 strker at the moment behind Smeltz.... afterall he's the only other striker getting game time at the moment : )
Here is Chris' absolute sreamer as they beat Doncaster this morning. Great way to open his first team account.
Here is Chris' absolute sreamer as they beat Doncaster this morning. Great way to open his first team account.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYdVNzUrxEI
Lovely goal. Awful music.
Can't wait for the BBC iplayer footage! (not available outisde UK though)
BBC footage is up now: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8259899.stm
Most likely not availble in NZ. .. .
Link to one of the Baggies' fan forums ... "How good could Wood be?" - they are v impressed
http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~1800473,00.html
good feedback on him from Chris Brunt.
Botafogo - Rio de Janeiro and Wellington Phoenix, my two teams til death do us part.
Think you mean this site:
http://www.westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=45638.0
http://www.westbrom.com/forum/index.php?topic=45638.0
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8263814.stm
Wood played 12 minutes in West Brom's 1nil loss to Crystal Palace