Chris Wood is ‘not what Newcastle need‘ right now according to Match of the Day pundit Jermaine Jenas.
The New Zealand international joined the Magpies in January, costing £25million from Burnley.
He’s started the last four games up front for Newcastle, and is yet to taste defeat since joining the club. However, he’s yet to score his first Toon goal.
Wood came close against Everton, but was denied by an offside flag. His opportunities were limited against Aston Villa, with Kieran Trippier scoring the only goal of the game.
Despite a lack of goals, Wood’s performances have been encouraging. He’s led the line well and done some fantastic defensive work. However, ex-Toon midfielder Jenas hasn’t been impressed.
Jermaine Jenas critical of Chris Wood
“I know he is there as a target man who leads the line and gives them a presence up front but that’s not what Newcastle need while Callum Wilson is injured – they need goals,” Jenas told BBC Sport.
“Wood hurried a couple of his finishes against Villa but he is not the only striker to turn up at a new club and take a bit longer than people expected to get off the mark.
“I am sure he will score soon but I still don’t think he is the man to get them five or six goals between now and the end of the season, and you have to ask who is that guy going to be?”
Newcastle goals will come for 30-year-old
Jenas’ assessment of Wood seems harsh. Yes, he hasn’t scored. But he hasn’t had many clear cut opportunities.
The criticism should perhaps be aimed at those who are there to create chances. We need to get more crosses into the box for Wood to attack.
We started to do that on Sunday, with Ryan Fraser doing his best to whip dangerous balls into the area for Wood. However, they failed to lead to the ex-Clarets man breaking his Toon duck.
Wood is an incredibly streaky striker. We saw at Burnley how patchy he is in front of goal. Once he gets his first, more will soon follow.
He’s a proven Premier League goalscorer, netting double figures four seasons in a row. That sounds exactly like what Newcastle need right now, despite Jenas’ claims.
For now, his work rate and endeavour up top is helping Eddie Howe’s side distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
