Wood wants 20-goal striker tag
Chris Wood wants to earn a reputation as a 20 goal per season striker, and is well on his way in 2016.
Leeds striker Wood scored his 12th goal of the season, and ninth in the league, in a win over Rotherham, guiding a squared ball underneath the opposition keeper from about 10 yards out.
Wood is earning rave reviews in England for his finishing ability this season, and in an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post Wood said he backs himself to reach the 20 goal mark.
Despite saying that, he wouldn’t reveal his true goals target for the season.
‘‘I’ll always back myself,’’ Wood said. ‘‘If I stay fit, work hard and the team’s doing well, I don’t see why not.
‘‘I’d like to think that people think of me in that sense, [as a 20 goal striker], but you only get that reputation by doing it.’’
Wood has one 20-goal season to his name, when he split his playing time between Leicester City and Millwall during a Championship season.
Wood also talked about representing New Zealand, with Leeds fans rightly concerned about the huge amount of travel their star striker must make to play in an All Whites jersey.
Asked about how he felt about Wood having to fly across the world for national duties, Leeds manager Garry Monk said: ’’It’s better than him walking.’’
‘‘It’s difficult travelling everywhere,’’ Wood said. ’’But it’s what I signed up for when I wanted to play for my country – and I do want to play for my country.’’