'Back into Fashion' - Wood & Haaland Lead Revival of Old-Fashioned Forward

The traditional number nine is making a notable comeback in football, and Chris Wood is at the forefront of this revival with his impressive performance for Nottingham Forest this season. The 32-year-old striker scored twice in the second half against his former team, Leicester City, on Friday, propelling Forest to fifth place in the Premier League. With seven league goals this season, Wood trails only Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who leads the scoring chart with ten goals.

Since Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of Forest on December 23, 2023, Wood has netted 17 non-penalty league goals, second only to Haaland's 18. As both players excel in the top flight, Wood appreciates the return of the classic center-forward role, which he believes has been revitalized by Haaland’s impactful presence. “We want to try to bring it back, or I’ll be out of a job,” Wood stated. He noted that while there was a trend toward smaller strikers and a mixed role with number tens, the resurgence of powerful forwards is beneficial for traditional nines like himself.

Wood scored his first goal against Leicester with a well-executed swivel and finish just two minutes into the second half. He followed that with a second goal, capitalizing on a defensive error to nod the ball over the stranded keeper Mads Hermansen. With his double against Leicester, Wood has now matched Stan Collymore's tally of 22 Premier League goals for Forest, just two behind Bryan Roy, who holds the club record for the competition.

The prospect of contending for the Golden Boot may have seemed unlikely at the season's outset, but Wood is now considered a serious contender. "I just want to keep scoring as many as I can," he said, acknowledging Haaland's formidable goal-scoring ability. Wood also netted a goal for New Zealand in a 3-0 win over Tahiti this season.

Signed for £15 million from Newcastle by current Leicester manager Steve Cooper in 2023, following an initial loan, Wood has amassed 23 goals in 51 appearances for Forest across all competitions. Last season, he scored three times in 15 games before Nuno’s arrival. Since Cooper was replaced by Nuno, Wood has enjoyed a resurgence, scoring 11 goals in just 16 appearances.

Wood credits Nuno’s emphasis on delivering crosses into the box for his success. "He has come in and put the emphasis on getting balls into the box, getting people into the box," he explained. This tactical shift has allowed Wood and his striking partner Taiwo Awoniyi to thrive, as they are both big forwards who benefit from quality deliveries. Wood appreciates the training focus on this aspect, which has translated into improved performance on the pitch.