Five games in and Chris Wood is yet to score his first goal for Newcastle United.
While the New Zealand international is yet to taste defeat in a Toon shirt, he must be desperate to break his duck.
Wood isn’t even getting close to scoring for Newcastle – chances just aren’t coming his way. But he’s leading the line brilliantly, and has played an important role in a fantastic unbeaten run.
But the more games go by without a goal, the more questions will be asked about PIF’s decision to spend £25million on the 30-year-old.
With Callum Wilson out, Newcastle need Wood to start firing. And hopefully he can channel a former Newcastle striker against Brentford this weekend.
Daryl Murphy netted his first Newcastle goal against Brentford
In the summer of 2016, Newcastle United made a shock signing. As Rafa Benitez looked to secure promotion from the Championship, he turned to former Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy.
The target man cost £4million from Ipswich Town, and joined an already impressive Toon forward line.
Injury disrupted his start at St James’ Park, but he would net his first Newcastle league goal in January 2017 – the winner in a cagey away game against Brentford.
Ayoze Perez put a wonderful cross into the box with the outside of his boot, and Murphy rose to head home his first Toon goal and secure a vital three points on the road to promotion.
It was the beginning of a decent second half of the season for Murphy. While he didn’t play a lot, he scored key goals and played his part in getting the club back to the Premier League.
Five years later and the aim is to keep Newcastle in the Premier League.
The Magpies need Wood to start scoring – his goals can guarantee survival. While the stadium might be different, a winner away at Brentford from Wood could really kickstart his Toon career, just like it did for Murphy in 2017.
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