Nottingham Forest have made a fine start to the season under Nuno Espirito Santo and have certainly overachieved so far in the Premier League.
After two seasons of narrowly avoiding relegation, it does feel as though a battle against the drop can be avoided during 2024/25.
The success of this season has been built on solid defensive foundations, with Nikola Milenkovic in particular one of the signings of the season.
There have been other positive aspects of the season so far, with Evangelos Marinakis bringing in Edu from Arsenal to work with the club behind the scenes.
Forest will hope to really kick on this season and establish as a proper Premier League club in the third season back in the top flight.
Michael Owen and Karen Carney pick Premier League’s most improved player as Chris Wood
The Reds have had a number of top performers during the current campaign and it’s great that so many players have really kicked on.
One of those is undoubtedly Chris Wood.
Since Forest head coach Espirito Santo has come to the club, he’s really started to showcase his credentials and hit the goal trail on a regular basis.
Wood has earned a new nickname from Shay Given this season, whilst Alan Shearer thinks Wood is in the form of his life.
Now, Karen Carney and Michael Owen have made quite the claim about Wood, picking him as the most improved player of the 2024/25 campaign so far.
Pundits were asked to pick their awards for the campaign so far on the Premier League’s official website.
Wood has eight goals from his 11 appearances in the Premier League this season and is well on course for 20 goals across the campaign.
It wasn’t all sweetness and light for Wood at Forest under Steve Cooper but the current head coach has given him a new lease of life.
Wood has made a mockery of Steve Cooper at Forest
It’s guesswork but we’re not sure Wood was ever seen as anything other than a backup option under Cooper.
Although he was in charge when Forest signed the striker, Wood never looked remotely interested in producing the goods for Cooper.
Since Espirito Santo came in, something has changed. Wood is fitter, stronger and now gives everything he’s got in every single game.
Under Cooper, Wood scored just four goals; one against Manchester City, one against Sheffield United and a brace against Luton.
He’s now scored 19 in all competitions for Espirito Santo and he’s loving life playing under a manager who trusts him dearly.
The challenge for Wood is to continue his hot streak and finish the campaign among the top scorers in the Premier League.
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