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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

Newcastle United reunion could save struggling striker from Nottingham Forest nightmare

Chris Wood is yet to make the impact he hoped for at Nottingham Forest after his January move from Newcastle United.

It has been three limited appearances so far from the target man, the latest coming in the 2-0 defeat at Fulham.

Wood was a topic of debate on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast as Matt Davies, Mikey Clarke, Greg Mitchell and former Forest midfielder David Prutton debated his early days at the club. Here is a look at what was said.

READ MORE: Man Utd sent Forest message as Liverpool plea made

READ MORE: Forest injury state of play as 10 players sidelined

He does look like a fish out of water. How much of that is down to confidence and a lack of form, and how much is it Forest not playing to his strengths?

DP: A bit of both. You're looking at a player who can do a job in the Premier League but hasn't had the minutes. If you look at how Forest have played this season and last, it's always been very mobile and interchangeable upfront.

Chris, playing off the left of a three, that's not his position. He's got to play down the middle. He was doing most of his work down the centre at Fulham though.

Sometimes players can drop straight in and fit. I was at Leeds v Man United on Sunday and for 45 minutes it looked like Wout Weghorst had never met his teammates. Maybe with Chris it will take more time for him to bed him in.

Jonjo Shelvey is a fantastic footballer. Hopefully given the training time he's had with Chris Wood at Newcastle, it will stand him in good stead to get the best out of him.

Do you see a body language issue with him?

GM: "I saw more from him on Saturday than other games. The last thing we want to do as fans is start bashing a player. I think Shelvey helps Wood and puts some good balls into him. We can't just rely on Gibbs-White to create.

"If we stick with him I think we'll see benefits but it's not happening for him. He doesn't look quick enough for the way we play at the moment and the limited chances we create.

"He was inches away from a goal. On another day that cross from Johnson goes in and it changes the trajectory of his season."

MC: "I question Ayew coming and if that's the man Cooper wants then absolutely fine. I think we need patience though to see how people like Wood come into the team. I've not been impressed if I'm honest.

"We actually put a lot balls into the box once he'd gone off ironically."

Will Wood's form improve? Have your say in the comments section below

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