New Zealand international Chris Wood has earned praise from his Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of the club’s upcoming game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Wood (32) has scored nine goals in his last 12 outings for Forest, and has become a key figure in the side’s battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.
“He has been very important for us, especially with the absence of Taiwo with the needs we have in that position,” Espirito Santo said at his latest media briefing.
Main photo: Nuno Espirito Santos … ‘he is in a good moment.’
Forest play Spurs on Monday morning (NZT), hovering above the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Wood has shrugged off thigh and hamstring problems to force his way into the Forest starting line-up, and has rewarded his manager’s faith with an 11-goal EPL haul this season.
Said Espirito Santo: “He has been performing well, and hopefully, it keeps like that because we need not only Chris Wood but all of the players.
“He is in a good moment not only scoring goals, but having good involvement in the team.”
Espirito Santo said while Wood was finishing his chances — he has the best shot-to-goal conversion rate of any striker in the top five European leagues this season, with 39.3% — he’s helping his teammates.
“It is very important the way he links the spaces,” Espirito Santo said.
“He is doing well, so let’s hope that keeps going.”
During the media briefing, the club also clarified the status of Wood’s contract.
Reports had speculated Wood’s contract was due to expire in mid-2024 but the club has confirmed Wood’s agreement runs till 2025.
Watch Nuno Espirito Santo’s interview
Here’s what Espirito Santo said about Chris Wood:
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday April 8, 2024 (NZT)
Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, 5am (NZT)
The game will be broadcast in New Zealand on Sky Sport 7.
Wood’s run of form
WATCH: All Whites skipper Chris Wood strikes again to continue run of form >>>>
WATCH: All Whites striker Chris Wood hits new highs with headed goal >>>>
More football stories
