Nottingham

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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Chris Wood is on the verge of greatness. The 32-year-old needs only three more goals to become Nottingham Forest's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.

His exquisite double against Leicester City on Friday not only moved the Reds up to fifth (back down to seventh after the weekend's other results) but meant the New Zealand international has now scored 17 goals since Nuno Espirito Santo's appointment in December. Only Erling Haaland (18) has scored more non-penalty goals in that time.

Forest's rather meagre Premier League showing in the 1990s means that Wood has now drawn level with Stan Collymore's 22 goals and is just two short of Bryan Roy's long-standing record of 24. Another three goals before January and he will have achieved that within two years.

Not bad for a player who was routinely derided when he arrived from Newcastle United in January 2023. Admittedly he struggled to fit into our style of play at the time, and evidently needed a little time to settle.

That said, his single goal that season against Manchester City - just a month after arriving - was probably worth his £15m transfer fee alone. And the point earned that day proved a very valuable addition to the 38 gained that season, with Forest finishing 16th.

During the summer, it was widely expected that a big-money striker would arrive on Trentside. Names such as Eddie Nketiah, Santiago Gimenez and Omar Marmoush were reportedly in talks, which all ultimately fell through. And while Taiwo Awoniyi is still regaining his fitness, the squad is light on strikers.

But while Wood is in the form of his life, it is working out rather well.

His all-time statistics speak for themselves; 76 goals in 236 Premier League appearances. Just 60 players have scored more times in the top flight than Wood, which prove Forest's number 11 is no flash in the pan.

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton described Chris Wood as "one of the most underrated Premier League strikers he's ever seen".

Newcastle defender Dan Burn, a former team-mate of Wood - added that he does a lot of work that "the fans don't see" off the ball.

Listen to the full episode on BBC sounds

Liverpool are considering a move for Nottingham Forest's Brazilian centre-back Murillo, 22, but could face competition from Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external

Nottingham Forest have opened talks with 32-year-old New Zealand striker Chris Wood over a new contract. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio 5 live reporter at King Power Stadium

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Before the start of the season, you would be hard pushed to find a Nottingham Forest fan who wouldn't have Morgan Gibbs-White in their best starting XI. For many, he would probably be the first name on the team-sheet.

However, the performances of Elliot Anderson in the number 10 role during Gibbs-White's two-game absence won't have gone unnoticed by manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

During their wins over Crystal Palace and Leicester City, Anderson's attacking metrics of chances created, completed dribbles, touches in and passes into the opposition box, comfortably surpassed the totals he achieved in his previous seven Premier League appearances for the club.

Gary Neville was part of the Sky Sports punditry team at Leicester City and he described the 21-year-old as "a hell of a player" of whom "there is so much to like". The former England defender also added Anderson "will take some shifting", even when Gibbs-White returns from injury.

It doesn't appear to be a question of playing one or the other.

Anderson and Gibbs-White have started six of Forest's nine Premier League games together this season. Yet it is Gibbs-White who has played in the number 10 role during that time, producing the form which led to him making his England senior debut last month.

One of Anderson's strengths is his versatility. He played every midfield position possible during his time at Newcastle United, as well as being a winger on either flank.

Under Nuno, he has largely been used as a defensive or left midfielder, before being utilised in the number 10 role due to Gibbs-White’s ankle problem.

Three seasons ago, the then teenager Anderson was on loan at Bristol Rovers in League Two. A consistent spell as an attacking midfielder saw him score eight goals and provide five assists across 21 appearances for the club.

I spoke to other members of the media at the King Power Stadium, who watch Nottingham Forest week in week out, and they were unanimous in agreement that number 10 is his best position.

Gibbs-White travelled to Leicester with the squad and when I asked Nuno for an update on the club's record signing, he said: "He's getting better. Every day we have to assess him. So let's see if he is available for the next game."

The speed of his recovery will dictate whether there is even a debate to be had over Forest's first choice number 10, but Anderson has already staked a claim.

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A Nottingham Forest-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Kevin asked: Hi Phil, amid a weekend of controversial VAR calls and late wins and equalisers, do you think the most underrated team at the moment is Nottingham Forest? A 3-1 East Midlands Derby win and up to seventh in the table with a fourth-place goalscorer in Chris Wood? I think they deserve so much more recognition for their achievements.

Phil answered: Hi Neil. Fully agree. Nottingham Forest deserve great praise for that they have done so far this season, although I do think they have been getting credit - and what a season Chris Wood is having.

Nuno has quietly put a Forest team together in exactly the way he likes. Solid defence, pace on the flanks and a central goal threat - very much like he did at Wolves.

The atmosphere at the City Ground is always special and it will be even better if Forest's form carries on.

Read more from the Q&A with Phil McNulty and the rest of Monday's football news

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Former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Nottingham Forest's start to the season has been "phenomenal" under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Forest sit in seventh, having taken 16 points from the first nine games, which is already a vast improvement on last season in which they finished 17th on 32 points - after a four point deduction.

"What a brilliant start they have had," said Robinson on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "You can only give them credit for where they are.

"We are only nine games into the season but they are already halfway to last season's points total. That is phenomenal.

"Nuno all of a sudden seems to be the right fit for them. There is a lot of good feeling around Forest at the minute and Nuno has to take credit for that. The system and way they play is getting results and Chris Wood is scoring goals.

"Wood seems to be going on to the pitch each week knowing he can score goals and that is an incredible feeling for any player to have.

"But with success comes expectation, so what is the expectation or reality for this season? I think you just have to enjoy the ride."

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Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer says Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is "in the form of his life" after netting his sixth and seventh league goals of the season against Leicester City.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: "He is unbelievable. He is in the form of his life. He is in the place where you're not hoping you are going to score goals, instead you actually know you're going to go out and score them.

"He is just full of confidence. He scored two very different goals against Leicester. For the first one, it is his movement to go into the box and get around the defenders, then his first touch and the swivel, then how he wraps his foot around the ball the way that he did.

"He had no other thought in his mind. He knew exactly where the goal was and there wasn't even one thought about passing it to anyone else. He just wanted to get the shot away - and why shouldn't he with the form he is in?

"For his second goal, he is just too strong for Wout Faes. His awareness of where he is, where the goalkeeper is and what he has to do is so impressive. It was a clever finish to just guide it in with his head, over the goalkeeper.

"It should be a great feeling for him."

Catch up on Match of the Day here