Gary Neville has praised Chris Wood’s contribution since signing for Newcastle United, explaining why he’s going to be a smart signing for the club – even if he doesn’t score a great deal.
The Kiwi hasn’t found the net in his opening four games in a black and white shirt, however he’s still played his part as we’ve went on to win three and draw one in that time.
The Sky Sports pundit feels his aerial dominance and ability to keep the ball alive in the final third is priceless, giving us that focal point to play off and a ‘fixed presence’ up top.
He accepts that we may have paid over the odds to bring him in from Burnley, yet insists you’ll not get any half-decent Premier League striker for less than £20m – and Wood is a ‘reliable’ one who can help keep us up. It’s that simple.
Here’s what he’s had to say, with his comments worth a read for those who haven’t been impressed by our new forward:
“I like the signing of Wood. Those little flick-ons that he wins in the final ten minutes, just keep that ball alive in the corners – it means it’s not coming back at you all of the time,”
“For me, Newcastle have not had that fixed presence, someone they can play up to.
“Yes, he isn’t going to score a great load of goals but I don’t care about that. It isn’t his job in this team – and I know he is a centre forward and people may think that’s a strange thing for me to say.
“When I was a full-back I wanted players who were always available, who I could hit, that would show for me, we could play off.
“Players who when it was difficult away they’d win the flick-ons, run the channels. It sounds really basic but that’s what Newcastle need in this predicament, people who are reliable and Wood is reliable.
“Yes, they paid a lot for him but you can’t get a half decent striker in the Premier League for less than £20million.
“He was signed to keep them in the Premier League and that’s a necessity due to the investment that has been made by the new owners.”
Neville then commented on our January business, believing Dan Burn is a ‘reliable’ player who proved on Sunday that he’ll be able to make an immediate impact:
“They had to strengthen. And they have done that. Defensively they have brought reliable players in.
“(Kieran) Trippier and (Dan) Burn are reliable players. They know the Premier League, they know their jobs.
“And that has helped others who maybe have talent and can do their own job, but good defender can look after a whole defence.”
I watched the podcast & what Neville had to say, not just about Wood but how things have changed at Newcastle & his current take on Man Utd and I agreed with all of it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
What Neville wanted, as a defender, and what Newcastle need as a team are two totally different things.
Newcastle need goals, and that should have been why they bought a striker.
Wood has been almost completely invisible for us so far, and this statement from Neville has all the markings of being one player just making excuses for another’s poor performances.
You can very rarely blame a player for not being what they are not – it’s a bit like buying a spanner, getting it home and complaining that you can’t bang nails in with it. We’ve brought in a striker who just doesn’t suit our style of play. We’ve spent time and money getting players together who can pass to feet and get into the box, only to bring in a good old fashioned striker who wants the ball onto his head.
So if he continues to struggle with the goals what do we do? Do we change tactics and tell ASM, Almiron, Fraser and co to start lobbing balls into the box, or do we move him into midfield and change his name to “Woodlinton”?
BykerBill(Quote)