Watched his goals for Burnley and the service of McNeil was just…superlative, beyond valuable. I saw him play a few poor games this season and I feel I owe him an apology as he’s been such an outstanding player for Burnley and for Wood based on those highlights.
I haven’t seen anyone in the first couple of matches provide the Woodsman that quality of delivery yet. There were a couple of very good moments of pressing that almost created chances. At the moment that’s his most likely route to goal- poaching around the box, as I feel with Saint-Maxim his real job there is to drag defenders out of his way!
Wow, that is an insanely high detail, quality, article. So much so it makes me realise how casually and little I understand football (unlike cricket where I'll die on a hill claiming I know better than anyone!).
Are you the person who wrote it, if not is it someone else on here? Whoever you are, bravo!
Thanks for sharing it though; as you say it's really good stuff... there is a lot of effort put into that article! $1 a month for the extra content is a bargain.
For YF I give $8 + GST per month (which is supposed to help support the forum and the pod), Niche Cache seems to be $1 per month.
Of course I should probably do both, but there's not a whole lot of podding going on so i've been thinking of reducing it to just supporting the YF forum which is something like $5 per month.
For YF I give $8 + GST per month (which is supposed to help support the forum and the pod), Niche Cache seems to be $1 per month.
Of course I should probably do both, but there's not a whole lot of podding going on so i've been thinking of reducing it to just supporting the YF forum which is something like $5 per month.
But you do get that crown mod and YF is a no loot box ethical site…
Seriously do you get the crown if you pay? What are the other perks?
Occasionally you get special pod content or podcasts earlier. Obviously I do it because people put their own time and money into the pod and this site, I enjoy both, so the least I can do is contribute.
Newcastle up 1-0 at halftime against Aston Villa thanks to a Trippier free kick that took a deflection. Typical EPL game this season for Wood, working very hard, winning lots of headers (mostly in non dangerous areas) but not his typical clinical self infront of goal. Had a good chance to play in one of his teammates, took the shot instead and muffed it completely into the stands.
I don't think it's a conincidence Newcastle is doing better since Wood joined the team; he helps their formation, works hard and offers them a different outlet, but lets hope he scores a goal to help his confidence before the fans start becoming critical of him not looking like scoring so far.
Edit - I've also got to add (after watching another chance he doesn't pass to Wood in a great position) Saint Maximin is an amazing dribbler but extremely one dimensional and selfish. His inability to pass, let alone even think about playing a QUICK cross/pass doesn't help Wood at all. There was a also a spot in first half, another small example, where Wood pressed the keeper and had them under pressure but Saint Maximin didn't do the same to the nearby defender making Wood's work pointless. Even though Wood is the striker, I feel like he's much more likely to set up/help Saint Maximin than the other way around.
0 goals from 4 matches for Wood so far, yet Newcastle has turned their form around in that time and have more wins (3/4) than rest of the season combined.
0 goals from 4 matches for Wood so far, yet Newcastle has turned their form around in that time and have more wins (3/4) than rest of the season combined.
Yipe 3 wins and a draw since Woodsman (full game) and Trippier arrived. Free kick that Trippier scored from was initially awarded as a pen, which would have had Christopher excited (presume he's already designated pen taker at NU), but VAR showed contact was unfortunately outside the box.
To be honest it's not a huge surprise that a team with so many mid-season recruits isn't as fluent as they could be (despite improved results). Here's hoping that he gets a few goals at least, but then gets a full preseason for the team to really start gelling.
To be honest it's not a huge surprise that a team with so many mid-season recruits isn't as fluent as they could be (despite improved results). Here's hoping that he gets a few goals at least, but then gets a full preseason for the team to really start gelling.
If he doesn’t bang in a few (and we all hope he does) but Newcastle stay up, for sure their rich Saudi owners are going to target a big name striker or two over the Euro summer.
Wouldn’t surprise if Woodsman at least starts the next EPL season on the bench. But he would have known all that when he left Burnley.
"After confirming that Callum Wilson’s injury is worse than initially feared and that he may only return in time for the final few games of the campaign, Eddie Howe took the opportunity to lavish some praise upon his kiwi big man...
“It’s worth highlighting Chris Wood’s impact. I think his physicality and ability to make life very uncomfortable for the opposing centre-halves has been key as well in the last couple of games. The balance of the team’s been very good. He’ll want that goal, but, I think, it’s not lost on me the difference his presence and physicality have made to that front line.
There’s been a lot of balls he’s had no right to get a touch on, or just knock a defender, than means we’re able to get up the pitch and spend longer in their half. Also his work rate and team work. He’s covered for Maxi [Allan Saint-Maximin] a couple of times when he’s out of position. For a striker of his type to do those unselfish things has made a big difference. I don’t think you can under-estimate all the aspects of his way that have helped the team.”
Newcastle 17th (still unbeaten since Wood's arrival), and 4 points ahead of Watford (18th) in the drop zone. Hornets won 1-0 at Villa.
Burnley (19th) also had a win. 3-0 at Brighton. Cornet's back and Wood's replacement Weghorst is going well (goal & an assist). They are 5 points behind Newcastle but with 2 games in hand.
Watched the game and I am afraid Wood has little to no impact and is really struggling to adjust. He almost doesn’t know where to position himself to get into good opportunities (not sure if it’s his team mates, not learning the system or something else) but he does look short of confidence. Doesn’t attack the ball at all and if I were a Newcastle fan, I would be concerned. I think he really needs to pick up his game to justify the big price tag.
Jinxed him…and Dennis had a big game. He needs someone closer to him to interchange passing with. He won long headers and Newcastle never won the second ball. He played one twos on the occasions they linked with him. With Saint Maximin the park he can drag defenders. Maybe he needs to be more aggressive with delivery, but he didn’t get much in his neighborhood in the box. His best moments were when he linked play swiftly with one touch or won headers, but so often Newcastle then retained possession, even played back to the keeper, rather than finding a shooting chance. And when Murphy or Willock shot row Z was threatened. As with the Nix and Piscopo, Ball and company, they need the puzzle to be complete to make it happen. It may be Wood partially, but if you see Kane’s performance today, Son is looking for his run and playing the ball for him, knowing that’s what he’s going to do.
The Newcastle defense stood up well, the attack found it tough going. To be fair, West Ham has muzzled a fair few attacks this year and Newcastle did well to return the favour for Bowen and co.
Starting as Newcastle lead 2-0 at HT against 10 man Brentford in London. Bees Dasilva sent off early in the 11th min.
Hopefully Woodsman can get on scoresheet 2nd half.
Edit - Stays 2-0, with Wood playing full game. Newcastle remain unbeaten since he arrived in January, but he'll be getting scratchy about not having scored yet.
From these highlights he did have 3 headed chances in first half alone. Then Joelinton gets one & bangs it in - though I note Wood drew 2 defenders from same cross making it a bit easier for the Brazilian. Seems Wood's lot at the moment, being a physical presence, sucking in defenders but noit yet gelling with his team mates or burying his chances. https://highlightsfootball.net/video/brentford-vs-newcastle-united-highlights-2/
Only 3 EPL goals to date for the season (all with Burnley), so his regular 10 plus season goals, looks unlikely this term.
Newcastle up to 14th.
Burnley (18th) draw 1-1 with Palace, and are now just 1 point behind Everton (17th).
Up front as Newcastle (14th) host Brighton (11th).
Edit - 2-0 to Magpies at HT. Woodsman not on the score sheet but continuing as Newcastle's lucky charm (unbeaten since he arrived)??
I don't think it will count as an assist as the goal was from a rebound after initial shot, but Wood made a great play for the first goal; turned the opposition player in his own half, took a few touches, then a perfect through ball for Murphy (who took the initial shot) to run behind the lines.
No goals for Wood again, yet Newcastle has gone on a huge winning streak since his arrival (after being in serious relegation thread) so you'd like to think he played a big part even though he hasn't been scoring. He was heavily involved in Newcastle's first goal today which should also give him confidence.