Paul Merson thinks Nottingham Forest have signed a quality professional in Chris Wood. Furthermore, he can’t believe that Newcastle have let him go at such a crucial stage of the season.
The Magpies are chasing a Champions League place. Under wealthy new owners, they were expected to go well this season but few had them predicted in the top four.
That looks like a genuine possibility now, however. Newcastle have tasted defeat just once during 2022/23, with a defeat to Liverpool in August their only blemish this season.
Wood signed for Forest on Friday. He was thrust straight into action at Bournemouth yesterday but did struggle to impose himself following a whirlwind 24 hours.
Still, he looks a very decent addition to the Forest ranks. Indeed, Merson believes that Newcastle might have taken their eye off the ball a little bit with this one.
He said live on Sky Sports yesterday: “Flabbergasted. Honestly, flabbergasted. I like Wilson and Isak. But one’s been out a long time injured and the other one, you don’t seem to get a run of games – Wilson – where he’s consistently fit.
“Wood comes in and does the job. He comes across as a good pro. Not just that, he’s at the other end, as well, when he’s defending. He comes back, he clears stuff.”
Merson thinks Forest have signed quality pro in Wood
The 31-year-old will turn out to be a steady player for Forest. Ultimately, yesterday was always going to be difficult given the lack of time he’s had to familiarise himself with his new teammates.
He has scored 54 goals in the Premier League during spells with Newcastle and Burnley. That sort of pedigree may be very useful in the coming months as Forest aim to stay in the division.
Wood will now have a couple of weeks with his new teammates. He will be cup-tied for the Carabao Cup semi-final and will hope to play against his former club Leeds in the next Premier League game.
Merson thinks that Newcastle might have missed a trick with Wood and Forest will now hope that can work in their favour.