Newcastle’s decision to sign Chris Wood led to a mixed reaction from supporters and pundits due to his lowly goal tally at Burnley and lofty asking price, but there was a resignation that any target man would be useful at St James’ Park due to the number of crosses Newcastle whip in per game.
The 30-year-old hasn’t fared badly in his first four appearances, winning 44/72 aerial duels, creating three chances, winning four freekicks and having 10 shots at goal, but he’s yet to get off the mark as a Newcastle player. In fact, only one of Wood’s chances have hit the target and Frank McAvennie says he’s ‘struggling’.
He told Football Insider: “He is struggling by the looks of things. He’s never really been prolific, has he? He probably isn’t the player Newcastle were looking to sign when the takeover went through.”
The Magpies were linked with Andreas Belotti, Eddie Nketiah, Duvan Zapata, Dusan Vlahovic, Anthony Martial, Ben Brereton Diaz and Edin Dzeko among others in January but only managed to sign Wood.
With Callum Wilson being sidelined until March, plus Joelinton and Dwight Gayle scoring one goal between them this season, there was a lot of pressure on Wood to deliver. His three goals in 17 games for Burnley this season suggested he wasn’t that kind of prolific striker, however.
McAvennie added: “(Wood) hasn’t scored yet and he doesn’t really look like scoring from what I have seen. Newcastle aren’t just hitting and hoping, that’s what Burnley did. I’m sure he will score a few goals before the end of the season but only maybe three or four. He won’t be prolific.
“For Newcastle, that doesn’t matter. From what I’ve seen, he won’t (there) next season in all likelihood. Maybe he will, but he certainly won’t be starting games. He might stay if Newcastle go down, but I don’t think that will happen now.”
Newcastle travel to face West Ham United on Saturday afternoon and Wood will no doubt hope to finally get off the mark.
In other news, Gary Neville praises Chris Wood who had ‘big impact’ v Aston Villa
