We felt’ – Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe gives Chris Wood inside verdict on sale and impact
The tall former Burnley striker left after just four goals in a black and white shirt in 2023
Eddie Howe feels that Chris Wood’s presence at Newcastle United was “underestimated” by some but admits he is not surprised by his glut of goals at Nottingham Forest.
The New Zealand international struggled for goals at St James’ Park and netted just four times in the Premier League for the Magpies. His career with Newcastle ended with an absolute sitter during the infamous FA Cup third round defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in 2023 before he made the switch to the City Ground.
But Howe has revealed that Alexander Isak’s re-emergence from an injury and Callum Wilson’s presence at the club meant Newcastle decided to cash in on a player that has rocked Premier League defences ever since. And don’t Newcastle fans know it?
As Wood, who grabbed a hat-trick on Boxing Day in last year’s victory for Nottingham Forest, returns to his old club, Howe is full of respect for the striker and said: “It was probably underestimated how much he affected our style and our play and that enabled us to stay in the league. He was an ever present and did really well.
