Newcastle United news: Expert issues ‘really disappointing’ Chris Wood verdict – ‘don’t ignore it’
Newcastle must find a way to better utilise £25million signing Chris Wood after a “really disappointing” display against Tottenham, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged Eddie Howe to find a way to get the 30-year-old “more involved” after a “static” display.
As per SofaScore, Wood completed just six passes and had 15 touches during 70 minutes of action in the 5-1 defeat against Tottenham yesterday (3 April) – the worst record of any Newcastle player to start.
The New Zealand international has scored just one goal in 11 Magpies games since joining in January.
According to The Athletic (31 March), signing a new forward is of “utmost priority” for Newcastle – with the majority of their summer budget likely to be used to seal a marquee addition.
Whelan suggested Wood’s lack of impact means a new striker is required.
“They definitely need more firepower next season,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“But those figures really just highlight that they aren’t utilising him properly.
“When you’ve got someone who can be a focal point and someone who can hold it up as well as Chris Wood, that is really disappointing.
“He can make the ball stick and really get stuck in with his back to goal, receiving the ball in those advanced areas of the pitch. That’s why they bought him, is it not?
“They’re going through the wide areas quite a lot, and I don’t mind that – but don’t ignore what you’ve paid all that money for.
“They have to figure out a way to get him involved because at the moment he’s a static player.”
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