Chris Wood and Nottingham Forest’s Unity for Success
Chris Wood, the striker from New Zealand, is finding new life at Nottingham Forest. He thinks the team’s strong connection is a key reason for their success. Wood knows all about teamwork from his days at Leicester City, where they won the Premier League. He sees that same unity at Forest right now.
Even though he wasn’t part of Leicester’s top plans during their amazing 2015/16 season, Wood appreciated how close the team was. Now at Nottingham Forest, he feels that same bond, helping the team play well this season.
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Nottingham Forest and Leicester: A Similar Story?
Nottingham Forest is making waves in the Premier League, much like Leicester did. They are holding a spot among the top teams. Wood admits the team’s closeness is striking. In an interview, he said, The togetherness of the group was huge at Leicester. We’ve got that feeling here too. He believes unity is a must for any team hoping for success.
While a lot of people compare Forest’s current run to Leicester’s title win, Wood just wants to focus on what they are doing now.
Staying Grounded: Focus on the Season
Even after a tough 5-0 loss to Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest is still in third place, right behind Liverpool. Wood stressed they don’t discuss winning the title just yet. He said, “We don’t talk about it. If we’re still in the mix when April comes, then we can think about it.” For now, their aim is to keep up their strong performance.
“Taking it game by game means we have to give our best all the time,” Wood noted. This focus is helping them stay competitive for the rest of the season.
Wood had a rough patch during his time at Newcastle, but he’s bouncing back with Forest. With manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Wood has found his form again. He’s now just 17 goals away from 100 in the Premier League—a big milestone. He credits Nuno for helping turn things around, saying, When the new manager came in, my fortunes changed a bit.
Wood is key to Forest’s attack, and he’s aiming for that 100-goal target. “Once I get into the 90s, I can really push for it, he shared.
A Kiwi Role Model
Wood’s path from New Zealand to the English Premier League makes him a standout Kiwi player. He pays respect to Ryan Nelsen for being a pioneer for New Zealand footballers. Wood sees his role as important too, wanting to raise the profile of Kiwi talent. Hopefully, with me playing well, it will help other Kiwis get into the Premier League, he said.
In many ways, Wood’s journey reflects Nottingham Forest’s own: a team that values unity, stays focused, and keeps impressing while paving the way for the next group of stars.