Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest | England)

newzealandpower

Good on him. You'd think the new owners might spend a bit of cash on the women's team too now that NUFC are not going down. 
4th tier? For a premiership club? 

From what I can see yes.
https://us.soccerway.com/national/england/combination/20212022/north/r62868/

Often status of their women's team has little relevance to their men's side in UK club football. Liverpool Women in the 2nd tier for example (though being promoted).

Edit - From Flying Kiwis.

Rosie Missen was also on the bench for the Newcastle women and was also subbed on around a similar time, roughly twenty mins to go in her case. However here the result was much sunnier. A 4-0 win over Alnwick Town in front of a genuinely outstanding 22,134-strong crowd. That right there was the largest crowd seen for any women’s club match in England all season... including the Super League. We’re talking about a fourth tier club here. Incredible numbers. They even had to delay kickoff by fifteen minutes to ensure that everybody could get through the gates. Not bad for the team’s St James’ Park debut.

Newcastle (13th) travel to Man City (1st). Woodsman back in the starting lineup.

Liverpool drawing with Spurs yesterday, gives the Citizens a chance to go 3 points clear in the title race with a win today.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/08/england/premier-league/manchester-city-football-club/newcastle-united-football-club/3517409/

Edit - Sterling has Man City up 1-0 at 20 mins.
Edit 2 - Wood off at 68 mins, with Man City up 3-0. Replaced by Callum Wilson in his first game back from injury (5 months out). Wonder if he will relegate the Woodsman to the bench for final 2 games.
Edit 3 - finishes a 5-0 thrashing. Don't think Wood ever had much luck at Etihad with Burnley either! Newcastle stay 13th. Gunners visit next in their last home game of the season.

Elsewhere Burnley (17th) lost to Villa, Everton (16th) won at Leicester and Leeds (18th & drop zone) lost at Arsenal.

Burnley ahead of Leeds on GD only, and Toffies another point ahead. 3 rounds left and one of these teams will be relegated. So expect Burnley's last game of the season hosting Wood & Newcastle mates will have everything riding on it.

To be honest had a glorious opening chance early, but weak header directly at the keeper. Also had a goal ruled out for Bruno Guimarães being offside.

https://highlightsfootball.net/video/manchester-city-vs-newcastle-united-highlights-4/

Simple taunt, of who has the most Middle Eastern dosh
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/128581131/manchester-city-go-three-points-clear-of-liverpool-in-title-bid

In years to come, though, it could be Newcastle challenging City for honours not just in the Premier League but in Europe too.

“We're richer than you,” Newcastle fans mockingly taunted their City counterparts.

But City showed the advantage of 14 years of Abu Dhabi funding over a Newcastle side that has had only one transfer window since being bought by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and spent to avoid relegation.

Once Chris Wood's tame header wasted a chance to give Newcastle the lead, Joao Cancelo headed across the face of the visiting goal and Sterling nodded City in front in the 19th minute.

Newcastle United (14th) host Arsenal (5th), in their last home game.
Woodsman not in match day squad. Callum Wilson starting.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/16/england/premier-league/newcastle-united-football-club/arsenal-fc/3517415/

Elsewhere Burnley (18th) are back in the drop a point behind Leeds (17th), and 2 points behind Everton (16th). Both Burnley & Toffies have a game in hand on Leeds, and play midweek.

But regardless this weekend's game Newcastle away to Clarets, is do or die for the home team. Be interesting to see if Wood starts. I reckon he shouldn't, if he's fit. A complete no win situation for him, and last thing AWs need is him being taken out by an emotional James Tarkowski or whoever.

Wood not even in the subs as Wilson returns to starting lineup for Newcastle. Wood has a hip injury apparently.... really hope it's nothing serious considering the All Whites qualifier isn't that far away.

2-0 win for the Magpies. They go up to 12th.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/16/england/premier-league/newcastle-united-football-club/arsenal-fc/3517415/

Just that trip to Burnley to finish their season.

https://highlightsfootball.net/video/newcastle-united-vs-arsenal-highlights-5/

coochiee

2-0 win for the Magpies. They go up to 12th.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/16/england/premier-league/newcastle-united-football-club/arsenal-fc/3517415/

Just that trip to Burnley to finish their season.

https://highlightsfootball.net/video/newcastle-united-vs-arsenal-highlights-5/

Seems likely Burnley will need a result to avoid the drop too (Burnley have 2 left so depends on their result vs Aston Villa and other results too); could be a good thing Wood is injured from his POV as I don't think he would want to be the guy scoring to relegate Burnley! I'm surprised he doesn't have a contract clause saying he can't play that match, as far as I know he doesn't.

Absolutely zero point in Wood playing at Turf Moor. No win for him, especially if he actually does have a niggle. Newcastle will finish mid table, nothing more.

He's had a reasonably long season playing a number of AWs games as well 33 EPL plus Cup matches. Give him a little mini break to freshen up before the AWs camp.

It will be Newcastle's pre season in July-August that will dictate whether Wood starts the new EPL season upfront for them (maybe partnering Callum Wilson), not what happens this weekend.

I’d be surprised if the Saudi PIF didn’t bring in a marquee striker signing in their first June transfer window. Wood is already probably behind Wilson, and you’d assume any new signing would be a higher calibre still, so he might be third choice for a single striker spot

At Woods age you'd think he'd want to be at a club where he will be getting minutes. Probably has 2 years left as EPL starting quality. So it will be interesting if he'll want to sit out next year mostly on the bench at a big club as likely 3rd choice striker (behind a big $ signee and Wilson), or go back to a smaller club (e.g Burnley or thereabouts) and get first team action. Often Europe qualifiying might mean 3rd choice striker would still get action, but since Newcastle won't qualify for that, I don't think he'll be in a great spot when there Saudi owners no doubt spend up.

siac

At Woods age you'd think he'd want to be at a club where he will be getting minutes. Probably has 2 years left as EPL starting quality. So it will be interesting if he'll want to sit out next year mostly on the bench at a big club as likely 3rd choice striker (behind a big $ signee and Wilson), or go back to a smaller club (e.g Burnley or thereabouts) and get first team action. Often Europe qualifiying might mean 3rd choice striker would still get action, but since Newcastle won't qualify for that, I don't think he'll be in a great spot when there Saudi owners no doubt spend up.

 All good points but I think he made that decision in January.

I suspect he was hoping to score several goals and make himself not droppable or at least first choice off the bench for next season, hasn't worked out that way though even if he has had the odd good moment. 

So Calvert-Lewin scores a late 85th min goal, and Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-2. Toffies are now safe from relegation.

Elsewhere Burnley grab a 1-1 draw at Villa. Clarets go ahead of Leeds on GD, with Leeds falling into the drop zone.

Sense it's going to be a dramatic last day in the EPL, re relegation.
Newcastle of course travel to Burnley (35 pts, -18 GD). Will Wood play?
Leeds (35 pts, - 38 GD) travel to Brentford. 
https://us.soccerway.com/national/england/premier-league/20212022/regular-season/r63396/

Wood wouldn't say it out loud but if he ever wants to miss a premier league match it's probably this one. It's not like an IPL situation where Warner got booted from SRH and desperately wants revenge against his old team (sorry I follow cricket a lot more than football so best I could think of!); Wood left mid season despite being a starter all season, he wasn't kicked out.

If he scores the goal to relegate Burnley I imagine he'll go from someone who in time will be fondly remembered (49 PL goals for them) to being hated at Turf Moor.

There was a video floating around a while back with Chris Wood scoring goals to Gary Neville's "he can score with his left, he can score with his right" schtick, is anyone able to link me to that?

Sounds like Wood will play if fit.
https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/we-have-a-job-to-do-howe-targeting-final-day-flourish/

Howe revealed he will make late calls on Chris Wood, who missed Monday night's victory against Arsenal, as well as defender Fabian Schär - who suffered a concussion injury against the Gunners - and Ryan Fraser.

Newcastle (12th) travel to Burnley (17th, 35 pts, GD -18). Wood on the bench.

Clarets win they will stay up. Draw or loss, and then they await how Leeds (18th, 35 pts, GD -38) go at Brentford

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2022/05/22/england/premier-league/burnley-fc/newcastle-united-football-club/3517424/

Edit - Newcastle up 1-0 at HT. Callum Wilson the goal.
At Brentford is 0-0. So currently the Clarets go down

Clarets down to Championship... I feel a little sad about it as I started to follow them a bit when Wood was there, and there fans are a pretty good lot relative to the other EPL teams! I'm used to supporting underdog teams and the little guy I guess (thank you Kingz/Knights/Nix)! Even when Wood was on today I wanted Burnley to score... Although the owners sacking Dyche a month back made me care less.

Wood had 20 minutes today, hardly got a touch on the ball, but it's surely good news for the All Whites as if his injury was bad he wouldn't of got any time in a match that wasn't important for Newcastle.

The league is much better with Leeds in it rather than Burnley tbf.

Was actually hoping Wood would score the goal to send them down.

siac

Clarets down to Championship... I feel a little sad about it as I started to follow them a bit when Wood was there, and there fans are a pretty good lot relative to the other EPL teams! I'm used to supporting underdog teams and the little guy I guess (thank you Kingz/Knights/Nix)! Even when Wood was on today I wanted Burnley to score... Although the owners sacking Dyche a month back made me care less.

Wood had 20 minutes today, hardly got a touch on the ball, but it's surely good news for the All Whites as if his injury was bad he wouldn't of got any time in a match that wasn't important for Newcastle.

Yeah the main takeaway is that Wood is obviously mostly over any injury niggle. Good news.

And like you had a softy spot for Burnley whilst Wood was there. Not every team can play like Man City. But the Clarets appeared to be one of those tightknit outfits with a no dick head policy. Suspect it will be awhile before they return to the EPL, given their limited means.

Jarred Gillet was VAR in this one.
https://highlightsfootball.net/video/burnley-vs-newcastle-united-highlights-3/


Oh & the Woodsman had 5 goals for the season
Newcastle 2 goals, 17 games (15 starts)
Burnley 3 goals, 17 games (17 starts)

Well done on his last 4 EPL seasons at Burnley
20/21 - 12 goals
19/20 - 14 goals
18/19 - 10 goals
17/18 - 10 goals
https://us.soccerway.com/players/chris-woods/76918/

Burnley have new owners? A watch this space situation. Could see an overhaul of style. Who knows what happens next.

Honest opinion, think Wood has done his job, and his chips at Newcastle. He was part of the team that turned around their decline, but without McNeil putting it on a plate for him and with cashed up mad footy fan owners who will more than likely be looking past him I think he may not feature too much in future plans. 

I will be very impressed if he can come back from here, but he hasn’t struck up too many creative partnerships or made himself indispensable.

I hope he’ll prove me wrong! He said he wanted to challenge himself and he now has two big challenges ahead with club and country. 

I’ll watch the whole game later, but the good news is he definitely could have scored those goals Wilson did, but having not played against Norwich and now Burnley he hasn’t had the same chances to fill his boots. 
Guess where Saint Maximin’s wild shooting ends up for the tap in! I think I’d rather have Cornet tbh, but not an option Wood has.

martinb

Burnley have new owners? A watch this space situation. Could see an overhaul of style. Who knows what happens next.

Honest opinion, think Wood has done his job, and his chips at Newcastle. He was part of the team that turned around their decline, but without McNeil putting it on a plate for him and with cashed up mad footy fan owners who will more than likely be looking past him I think he may not feature too much in future plans. 

I will be very impressed if he can come back from here, but he hasn’t struck up too many creative partnerships or made himself indispensable.

I hope he’ll prove me wrong! He said he wanted to challenge himself and he now has two big challenges ahead with club and country. 

I’ll watch the whole game later, but the good news is he definitely could have scored those goals Wilson did, but having not played against Norwich and now Burnley he hasn’t had the same chances to fill his boots. 
Guess where Saint Maximin’s wild shooting ends up for the tap in! I think I’d rather have Cornet tbh, but not an option Wood has.

Depends what you mean by 'new' owners for Burnley (unless I missed something their last change was Dec 2020) so not as recently as the Newcastle Saudi takeover. Will be interesting what happens with Wood at Newcastle especially if they (likely) sign another striker. Will also be interesting what happens to Pope and Cornet at Burnley and where they end up now. Cornet will surely end up at a big club (slightly differernt player but I prefer him over St Maximin tbh, especially when partnered with Wood).

siac

martinb

Burnley have new owners? A watch this space situation. Could see an overhaul of style. Who knows what happens next.

Honest opinion, think Wood has done his job, and his chips at Newcastle. He was part of the team that turned around their decline, but without McNeil putting it on a plate for him and with cashed up mad footy fan owners who will more than likely be looking past him I think he may not feature too much in future plans. 

I will be very impressed if he can come back from here, but he hasn’t struck up too many creative partnerships or made himself indispensable.

I hope he’ll prove me wrong! He said he wanted to challenge himself and he now has two big challenges ahead with club and country. 

I’ll watch the whole game later, but the good news is he definitely could have scored those goals Wilson did, but having not played against Norwich and now Burnley he hasn’t had the same chances to fill his boots. 
Guess where Saint Maximin’s wild shooting ends up for the tap in! I think I’d rather have Cornet tbh, but not an option Wood has.

Depends what you mean by 'new' owners for Burnley (unless I missed something their last change was Dec 2020) so not as recently as the Newcastle Saudi takeover. Will be interesting what happens with Wood at Newcastle especially if they (likely) sign another striker. Will also be interesting what happens to Pope and Cornet at Burnley and where they end up now. Cornet will surely end up at a big club (slightly differernt player but I prefer him over St Maximin tbh, especially when partnered with Wood).

They’ve got a truckload of forwards, plus Gayle, Wood and Wilson. Joelinton also has been a striker and scored two playing up top, so may be considered an option there too. 
It depends some on Eddie Howe you’d think, and the owners were patient this season, but you’d think they’d want some names to go with Guimares. 
On the other hand, maybe Wood and Trippier will get some understanding and Howe might look at even using both Wilson and Wood in partnership as two strikers with good goal scoring records. Find out next season I guess…

siac

martinb

Burnley have new owners? A watch this space situation. Could see an overhaul of style. Who knows what happens next.

Honest opinion, think Wood has done his job, and his chips at Newcastle. He was part of the team that turned around their decline, but without McNeil putting it on a plate for him and with cashed up mad footy fan owners who will more than likely be looking past him I think he may not feature too much in future plans. 

I will be very impressed if he can come back from here, but he hasn’t struck up too many creative partnerships or made himself indispensable.

I hope he’ll prove me wrong! He said he wanted to challenge himself and he now has two big challenges ahead with club and country. 

I’ll watch the whole game later, but the good news is he definitely could have scored those goals Wilson did, but having not played against Norwich and now Burnley he hasn’t had the same chances to fill his boots. 
Guess where Saint Maximin’s wild shooting ends up for the tap in! I think I’d rather have Cornet tbh, but not an option Wood has.

Depends what you mean by 'new' owners for Burnley (unless I missed something their last change was Dec 2020) so not as recently as the Newcastle Saudi takeover. Will be interesting what happens with Wood at Newcastle especially if they (likely) sign another striker. Will also be interesting what happens to Pope and Cornet at Burnley and where they end up now. Cornet will surely end up at a big club (slightly differernt player but I prefer him over St Maximin tbh, especially when partnered with Wood).

From Flying Kiwis.

Final game of the season for The Woodsman and his new club relegated his old club. Newcastle United beat Burnley 2-1 which, coupled with a win for Leeds United, sent the Clarets down into the Championship. Gotta say that Woodsy probably left at the right time, aye? With the dire financial situation of Burnley FC, whose new-ish owners basically just leveraged club debt in order to get the takeover done, it could be a tough couple years for that lot. Sad... but so it goes.

coochiee

siac

martinb

Burnley have new owners? A watch this space situation. Could see an overhaul of style. Who knows what happens next.

Honest opinion, think Wood has done his job, and his chips at Newcastle. He was part of the team that turned around their decline, but without McNeil putting it on a plate for him and with cashed up mad footy fan owners who will more than likely be looking past him I think he may not feature too much in future plans. 

I will be very impressed if he can come back from here, but he hasn’t struck up too many creative partnerships or made himself indispensable.

I hope he’ll prove me wrong! He said he wanted to challenge himself and he now has two big challenges ahead with club and country. 

I’ll watch the whole game later, but the good news is he definitely could have scored those goals Wilson did, but having not played against Norwich and now Burnley he hasn’t had the same chances to fill his boots. 
Guess where Saint Maximin’s wild shooting ends up for the tap in! I think I’d rather have Cornet tbh, but not an option Wood has.

Depends what you mean by 'new' owners for Burnley (unless I missed something their last change was Dec 2020) so not as recently as the Newcastle Saudi takeover. Will be interesting what happens with Wood at Newcastle especially if they (likely) sign another striker. Will also be interesting what happens to Pope and Cornet at Burnley and where they end up now. Cornet will surely end up at a big club (slightly differernt player but I prefer him over St Maximin tbh, especially when partnered with Wood).

From Flying Kiwis.

Final game of the season for The Woodsman and his new club relegated his old club. Newcastle United beat Burnley 2-1 which, coupled with a win for Leeds United, sent the Clarets down into the Championship. Gotta say that Woodsy probably left at the right time, aye? With the dire financial situation of Burnley FC, whose new-ish owners basically just leveraged club debt in order to get the takeover done, it could be a tough couple years for that lot. Sad... but so it goes.

Yeh, just found it is an insane leveraged buy out situation, like the Glazers. So the club was well run with no debt and then it’s owing a chunk and with new owners not putting much money in. It isn’t right.
Bet they’ll lose interest being out of the PL too and look to hawk it on.

Actually feeling a little better for Wood based on having watched the first half against Burnley and the Arsenal highlights. 

Commentators in the Burnley game were going on about how good Wilson was against Arsenal. Seemed to me he missed 4 really good chances. Simply didn’t get them on target. With him being a sometime English international and having a good goal scoring record he’s getting a pass on those for now. That and the Woodsman’s recent fee which people remember rightly or wrongly when judging performances.
Wilson did very little in the first half against Burnley. The Newcastle machine could retain and move the ball, it created almost nothing. 

On these performances there is little between Wilson and Wood, just he’s got recent goals against a relegated team, whereas Wood’s not scored. 

At the moment Wilson is his only serious competitor for striker in this system, and an unfortunate narrative the only difference in performance imo. Perhaps Wilson is seen as a bit more mobile, but there’s not much in it. If Wood grabs his chances and gets a good run of games he could go first choice easily. Also to work on his combinations with feeding Guimaraes and or picking up scraps from Saint-Maxmin. 

Depends on who they bring in up front- if it’s Jesus then Wood is a bit of a different striker. They might change the playing style or game plan, or the different strikers give them different tactical options. 

Anyway- ignore the my gloom above and just do the mahi, get into ya work and make it easy for the fans and owners to like you with some big hearted performances!

Wee thought experiment - where do you think Wood would be playing this season if he hadn’t signed for Newcastle in January? I see this morning that Tarkowski is moving on to Everton. Do we think Wood might have stayed on for the promotion push? Moved to another premier league club? Moved abroad as has been vaguely rumoured in the past? Or maybe even scored 20 goals in the second half of the season and kept Burnley up… 

Fitzy

Wee thought experiment - where do you think Wood would be playing this season if he hadn’t signed for Newcastle in January? I see this morning that Tarkowski is moving on to Everton. Do we think Wood might have stayed on for the promotion push? Moved to another premier league club? Moved abroad as has been vaguely rumoured in the past? Or maybe even scored 20 goals in the second half of the season and kept Burnley up… 

 I'd have expected someone to come in for him, probably mid or lower table - hard to ignore a bloke who consistently put away double digits goals in the Premier League, last season notwithstanding.

Flying Kiwis.

Despite all the chat about Chris Wood being a stopgap option when he first signed – and even if he was then he did his job brilliantly given Newcastle’s sudden reversal in form when he arrived from relegation worriers to mid-table freedom – we’re yet to see a big money striker arrive at the club to replace him.

There is obviously still Callum Wilson who is ahead of Wood in the pecking order but there’s every chance those two could operate really successfully as a duo.

Frenchman Hugo Ekitike was strongly linked with Newcastle in January and they’ve since had a bid accepted by Reims... but Ekitike instead chose to move to PSG despite them putting in a smaller bid. Still several weeks left to go though right now it’s Wilson and Wood still leading the way. Newcastle’s signings this window have all been defensive so far: Sven Botman (CB), Nick Pope (GK – Wood’s old Burnley bud), and Matt Targett (LB – whose loan was made permanent).

Callum Wilson missed the majority of last season due to injury. Still finished top scorer at the club but his absences are not uncommon and even in preseason they’ve been limiting his involvement when things get too heavy. Chris Wood is still gonna get plenty of opportunities this term. Especially if they don’t sign anyone else in his position.

Eddie Howe: “No one has ever doubted Callum’s ability. He is an outstanding striker, and he showed that coming back from a long injury and performing well at the end of the season. I would love him to have an injury-free campaign. Chris Wood did very well for the team last year and he is still with us and has trained very well. We have others who can fill that role so we are not one dimensional. (Allan) Saint-Maximin has played there, Joelinton too. And also we have the transfer market still as an active thing for us.”

Never misses from the spot C Wood.
Pre season friendly verus Atlanta from Serie A. EPL starts next weekend.

Chris Wood from the spot! 🎯

⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/oNDnkTCWL8

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 29, 2022

For some reason not sure I see the Woodsman as the bench impact player. But with a longer term AWs focus, having his work load reduce with a eye to WC 2026 (yes a long way away) when he will be 34 - ain't a bad thing.

Who knows the remaining 2 years on this lucrative Magpies deal, could be the end of his time in the UK at age 32. Then 2-3 years at the Nix, or flagship signing for a new Auckland ALM team. Who knows, but I could see him finishing with a stint in NZ, after 15 odd years in the UK.

From Flying Kiwis.

More important are the intimations that these games give about selections. Chris Wood is going to be behind Callum Wilson in the pecking order, that much was already clear to see. Doesn’t look like Eddie Howe wants to go away from the front three shape either to allow for both Wood and Wilson to play together – not sure those two played a single minute together on the pitch at the same time through these friendlies.

But Wood did get some genuine time with the first teamers as Wilson’s workload was managed across preseason due to his injury history. Basically, Wood’s unlikely to play to the extent that he’s used to but he’s certainly not gonna rot on the bench. He’ll get his opportunities for sure and it’s up to him to make the most of them. New season kicks off in just a few more days.

Was surprised- his goal record at the top level is better than Wilson’s. Though not so great last year. If he was a Pom, he’d get much more credit imo. 

Fans are complaining he’s slow, if they mention him at all, from what I’ve seen. Not a fashionable player, but I’m sure they just need help remembering his record. A few (and regular) goals from open play needed to convince the Geordies and the manager. Was unlucky he didn’t play as much against lower table opponents late on last season. 

martinb

Was surprised- his goal record at the top level is better than Wilson’s. Though not so great last year. If he was a Pom, he’d get much more credit imo. 

Fans are complaining he’s slow, if they mention him at all, from what I’ve seen. Not a fashionable player, but I’m sure they just need help remembering his record. A few (and regular) goals from open play needed to convince the Geordies and the manager. Was unlucky he didn’t play as much against lower table opponents late on last season. 

A few geography challenged English football fans wanted him in their 2018 World Cup team!

He's not glamorous no, but to date he's done his job for the Magpies, just missing a few more goals. A full pre season should be a great benefit, getting to know better his team mates, plus hopefully Tripper (a quality crosser) is injury free.

EPL season kicks off. Magpies host promoted Notts Forest.

Wood on the bench.

Watched first half. Guimaeres and Joelinton guaranteed starters. On the basis of that performance I’d say all other places are up for grabs. Lots of early corners that have been the Woodsman’s hunting ground. 
They don’t seem to be playing through Wilson a lot, with hold up etc. and also he hasn’t been on the the same wavelength as the delivery often. Same story. Goal threat coming from Joelinton and no one else much in that half. 
Almiron tasked with a lot of running, but can’t keep this up all season. 

No minutes again against one of the weaker teams, that fairly much sat back and defended for the whole game. Hope his luck changes soon. Wilson did well with his chance, but not his best game.