David Prutton has been discussing whether or not it’s a good thing Nottingham Forest are going to keep Chris Wood for another year. The in-form striker has a contract at the City Ground until the end of next season.
Wood has surprised absolutely every one of a Forest persuasion during 2023/24. On Tuesday against Fulham, he netted his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
Forest first added Wood to their ranks in January 2022. Fans were incensed when it was revealed that the loan move would become permanent for £15 million after the striker played three games.
In truth, last season it looked as though the fans might have had a point. He scored just once – against Manchester City – and then missed the final six weeks of the season through injury.
Now, the redemption arc of Wood has been astronomical. He’s showcased his worth to the Forest faithful and proved himself as a brilliant replacement for the injured Taiwo Awoniyi.
- READ MORE: Steve Hodge delivers verdict on Chris Wood
What David Prutton said about Chris Wood
Well, it’s been a hot topic this week with Wood once again in form for Forest. Prutton was quizzed on the future of the 32-year-old before it came to light that he was under contract for next season.
John Percy, the Forest correspondent for The Telegraph, claimed after the game with Fulham in midweek that Wood is in fact under contract for next season.
However, that wasn’t common knowledge to Prutton when he was quizzed on Wood and his Forest future. It’s fair to say, however, that he’s in doubt whether this is good news or not.
He told the Forest Focus podcast: “I think I would say it’s a no-brainer. What Chris has bought, the goals you talk about, his numbers speak for themselves. He’s a player who is scoring at this level, he knows what Forest want and he’s got a manager who knows what he wants him to do.
“I think what Chris Wood has done, he’s not looked out of place in the Premier League. He scores goals at this level, key goals at this level and I do think it’s failing into the no-brainer category to keep someone like that.
“He seems like a likeable member of the squad, he doesn’t go dropping bombs behind the scenes, he doesn’t cause trouble and I think if the figures can work for Forest, I would definitely do the utmost to keep Chris.”
Wood can continue to shine for Forest
In our view, it’s really quite simple with a striker like Wood. Get him service between the posts and he will be more than capable of scoring goals – even at this level.
The fact that Wood has scored 12 goals for Forest this season is a testament to the sort of bloke he is. The talisman was written off by many and now he’s proving his harshest critics wrong.
It’s great that Forest have tied down Wood for another season. It was uncertain whether or not he was out of contract in the summer but now he will be heading back to Nottingham for pre-season training.
It’s always a nice thing when a footballer proves people wrong. Many claimed that Wood was way past his best and spending £80,000-a-week on an experienced player wasn’t the thing to do.
The wage might seem excessive still. However, if his goals turn out to keep Forest in the Premier League, Wood will have been worth his weight in gold from a Forest perspective.
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