Newcastle United striker Chris Wood has the chance to get his first goal against Southampton. The forward has impressed boss Eddie Howe despite not finding the net yet.
He joined the Magpies in January for a fee of £25million (Sky Sports) from Burnley. The 30-year-old is always an aerial threat and it has been one of his biggest strengths since joining the Toon.
The Saints boast an impressive home record, only losing once there in the league this season. But it’s a good time for Newcastle to be playing them with their eight game unbeaten run moving them away from the bottom three.
Confidence is high at Newcastle, but Wood remains desperate to get his first goal in black and white.
Hasenhutl’s previous comments suggest that he’d not be pleased if Wood opened up his account for Newcastle
The Southampton boss previously made comments that he’d be playing a completely different Newcastle side tonight. This is due to the signings they made in January.
So you’d think that if Wood was to score his first Toon goal, that would get under the skin of Hasenhutl. However, the signings they’ve made don’t tell the full story.
Players who were already at the club when Eddie Howe arrived have made just as much of an impact. We’ve seen the transformation of the midfield three containing Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey.
Ryan Fraser has also been in splendid form for the Magpies, the best we’ve seen of him since he signed. He was even nominated for February’s Player of the Month.
It discredits Howe to simply say the signings are the sole reason the Toon gotten better. The previously mentioned midfield three have made it hard for new boy Bruno Guimaraes to get minutes since he signed.
A win will put pressure on the teams above Newcastle. There is no doubt some fans would love to see Wood net his first goal, and it would certainly rattle Hasenhuttl if it turned out to be the winner.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
