Why Ange Postecoglou’s arrival means the end for Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest
Chris Wood remains goalless with Ange Postecoglou’s arrival coinciding with a barren run for Nuno Espirito Santo’s golden boy.
Sources told Football Insider on 9 September that Postecoglou was to be the new Nottingham Forest manager following the surprise sacking of Espirito Santo.
Espirito Santo went on to replace Graham Potter as West Ham manager and picked up his first point in the 1-1 draw against Everton on 29 September.
Yet, the Portuguese’s departure and the Australian’s arrival has had a devastating impact on Wood who’s form has fallen off a cliff since the change of bosses at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest to panic over Chris Wood’s sharp decline
The exit of Steve Cooper near the start of the 2023-24 campaign saw the New Zealander revived by the appointment of Espirito Santo who weaponised Forest to play to his strengths.
The former Newcastle United frontman notched 13 goals under the Portuguese in his first season before backing that up with a wondrous 20-goal campaign a year later.
Yet, the Postecoglou era has seen a major fall off in Wood’s stats which has seen his 26.2 per cent conversion rate in 2024-25 dip drastically.
Once the most clinical striker in the Premier League, the number 11 has failed to hit the back of the net in three starts which will be of great concern for the Garibaldi faithful.
As his shot map from the game against Sunderland on 27 September demonstrates, courtesy of Football Insider’s statistic partnership with Opta, the 33-year-old only hit the target once from six shots.
Moreover, he has missed two big chances and had seven shots off target in the English top-flight under the Australian, reflecting an uncharacteristic tetchiness as he snatches at chances rather than operating with his calm goalscoring demeanour.
However, whilst the ex-Burnley striker’s form is concerning, this has opened the door for Igor Jesus to stake his claim to become Postecoglou’s go-to forward.
Igor Jesus on course to become Tricky Trees’ main man
Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio heralded the Brazilian as a “real threat” with Wood needing to “watch his back” (TNT Sports, 24 September).
His new manager and pundits were stunned with a deadly performance in the Europa League on 24 September where Jesus grabbed two goals against Real Betis for Forest.
The number 19’s rise is backed up by his impressive numbers with four goals in just two starts with a conversion rate of 36.4 per cent in all competitions.
That sensational stat is reminiscent of a certain New Zealand international who is now under serious pressure from the South American moving forward.
The 24-year-old has also hit the target seven times and missed two big chances showing he has been far more accurate with his shooting than the ex-Brighton man.
| Since Ange Postecoglou first Nottingham Forest game | Chris Wood | Igor Jesus |
| Appearances (starts) | 3 (3) | 4 (2) |
| Goals | 0 | 4 |
| Big chances missed | 2 | 2 |
| Shots (on target) | 10 (3) | 11 (7) |
| Conversion rate % | 0% | 36.4% |
Jesus has what it takes to become the new “Chris Wood” with his pinpoint striking and clinical nature which could see Postecoglou lean more on the rising superstar.
Moreover, with the 33-year-old’s contract set to expire at the end of the 2026-27 season, it could be the end of the forward’s time in the English top-flight.