Southampton at St Marry's up next this weekend and I will have the pleasure of seeing Woodsy in the flesh for this game. Mind you if he scores I'll have to keep it quiet, my tickets are in the hardcore Southampton end. Fingers crossed for a repeat performance!
Frustrating first twenty from Forest, under persistent fouling from Southampton and not much sympathy from the ref. Woodsman has already had a couple decent looks. Hopefully can put one (or two or three!) away soon and Forest can relax a bit.
At the moment it feels a bit like Forest are at risk of playing down to their level. They’ve kicked the ball out when looking for a square pass 3-4 times. It’s rusty or lacking cohesion.
Feels like attrition. Off the back of a corner win by Woodsy from a great Hudson-Odoi ball to pick him out. Shots and rebounds and Gibbs-White jabs it home.
Couldn’t hold on last week. Can they score more or hold on this week? None of the front four has shone, but now Southampton have to push forward.
And Wood is subbed. Big performance, but little next to his name this week apart from a yellow card.
Thought it was a good outing from Wood. Didn't have much to work with but provided some excellent hold up play. As Martinb mentioned, really tidy stuff to pull down that lob and force a save from the keeper that lead to the winner from the resulting corner. That yellow he got was nasty work, nearly cut the man in half 😂 whole stadium was livid
Niche Cache. Fingers crossed for some CW goals this week.
Forest’s next Premier League opponents are Wolves, aka one of CW’s favourite meals. He’s scored six EPL goals against Wolverhampton, bettered only by his seven against West Ham. And before that they face Newcastle in the EFL Cup. These are the two teams that Wood has scored Premier League hat-tricks against.
Eddie Nketiah couldn't agree personal terms with Forest and looks like he'll go to Palaceinstead. Now also Santiago Gimenez seems to have refused a move to Forest after the club agreed with Feyenoord over the fee.
Looks like there's a chance that Forest may not manage to get in another striker this window, so hopefully this all means that Chris Wood can stay as first choice up top
Wood an unused sub, as Forest go out of the League Cup on pens to Newcastle. 1-1 at the end NT. Awoniyi who failed to convert his pen in the shootout, with the start.
Still Forest and Wood looking up for this. Wood’s link play has been the best I’ve seen it in over half a season- created two good chances moving the ball quickly.
Wolves may have equalised, but that goal will be a boost of confidence for Wood going into the Mexico and US friendlies, and he could still get another.
A couple of years back I thought his legs may be gone and he'd be back to the championship, but last season he was looking as good, or even better than ever. He seems to be a confidence player more than many, so two goals early in the season boads very well for a big haul.
This revival is also a good thing for the All Whites at the next world cup.
They should be ahead. They’ve created enough half chances.
And that hand ball ruling. Not looking at the ball, but he can see his opponent about to chest it and throws his elbow out, quite unnaturally imo. Sneaky play from the Wolverhampton player.
An exciting game. Elanga the only player noticeably short of his dynamic best, but still getting in a power of defense.
Couple of good saves each keeper. But for all that Forest have been in the Wolves box much more and should have scored again. Hopefully Forest romp home.
Another one that got away for Forest. But they get a point.
Wood heavily involved. Scoring an offside one, getting another spectacularly saved and almost giving away a handball pen himself as the ball hits his arm in the box.
Commentators seemed to think it were close, but Wolves scarcely got into the Forest box, blasted high and wide from distance and rarely tested Matt Sels.
Clear reasons why Forest were looking for another CF- to put these games away and have goal threat off the bench. Awoniyi and Elanga today not quite at their best, and great defense blocked and saved efforts from the others.
Obviously he was great for Burnley, but I think this forest squad might be the perfect fit for him. MGW is incredibly underrated and the undisputed gem in that side, but he's also got the likes of Hudson Odoi, Anderson and Elanga to ping balls to him. Big centre forward's dream to be surrounded by good technical wingers and deep-lying playmakers
Wood is also part of the leadership group at the club (Forest); he is among the clutch of players who guide the dressing room. He had an influence in the signing of [Elliot] Anderson, who called his former Newcastle team-mate for guidance on what life is like at the City Ground when deciding whether to join him there. When Anderson subsequently arrived in Nottingham, Wood was among the first to put an arm around the shoulders of the 21-year-old midfielder and help him settle in, as he tried to acclimatise not just to new surroundings, but also to the idea of leaving his hometown club, which he had been part of since he was a boy.
... [Wood] was called up to play for his native New Zealand side in the Olympics. His country were desperate to call upon his experience and know-how but, after discussions with Nuno, he explained to head coach Darren Bazeley that it was more important for him to remain with Forest to prepare for their new season. “I was aware this was the opportunity for him to be involved in the biggest sporting event in the world — the Olympics,” said Nuno. “That shows the commitment he has to us. It is not just about his goals, his work for the team is amazing.”
And Forest add Anfield to list of places they’ve triumphed, next to Old Trafford last season. Huge performance. Epic from every player. They just have to not mess up against lower placed teams. As well, Sels has been a much better keeper than Turner who cost them several times with errors last season.
Elliot Anderson and Ward-Prowse give them some depth in the midfield too.
Watched it back and the goal was coming. There’d been 4-5 dangerous attacks involving that front 4 (Gibbs-White, Wood, Elanga and Hudson -Odoi) before the goal came. Also good to have a second 1-0 result after so many cheap goals last season. And it’s Forest’s first win at Anfield since 1969! That’s a record.