Striking deal with Wood makes sense as he continues to deal in goals

WITH a neat turn and finish, Chris Wood made it 2-0 to Nottingham Forest against Fulham on Tuesday night - and perhaps strengthened the case for offering him a new contract at the same time.

The Reds forward is a man in form. His strike was his third in as many games, 12th of the season in all competitions and eighth in his last nine Premier League outings. He is on fire.

A peach of a strike it was, too, against the Cottagers. Wood knew where the space was, knew there was a gap in the Fulham defence and pounced on it. Found by a lovely pass from Murillo, the New Zealand international collected the ball with his back to goal, turned and fired beyond a flat-footed Bernd Leno. It was clever play.

Wood is an intelligent player. He also gets goals. And he is thriving under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Former boss Steve Cooper might have been the one to push for the striker’s arrival from Newcastle United, but the Welshman’s successor has got the best out of Wood. It is proving to be a fruitful relationship.

The Kiwi had his critics early on in his City Ground career, with questions asked of the fee splashed out to turn his loan into a permanent move. It looks good business now, though.

Wood needs service, of course. He doesn’t always get it, but when Forest provide him with support he is capable of doing damage.

Not so long ago, the prospect of the Reds being without Taiwo Awoniyi for any length of time would have been great cause for concern.

He still is a huge miss, not least because having as many attacking options as possible is always beneficial. But it is debatable whether the Nigerian would be first-choice up front at the moment.

Whatever happens between now and May, the summer is going to bring about changes Trentside.

Which division they find themselves in next term will have an impact on their transfer plans, as will their financial situation, but Forest will need to assess their resources at the top end of the pitch either way.

Wood, at 32, is heading towards the twilight of his career but there is no doubt he can still do a job. Forest have big decisions to make about the futures of several players. A new deal for Wood could make a lot of sense.