Teenager Wood proving key in heart of defence
Callum Wood has attracted many admirers for his strong performances during the first half of Bath City’s season.
The centre-back, who turned 19 in October, has proved to be a key loan signing from Bristol City.
Having been forced to miss eight of City’s first 11 fixtures this season through COVID-19 and being called up for Wales’ under 19 squad, Wood has started the last 14 in all competitions.
“National League South is a hard place to come but it’s been brilliant playing so regularly,” he said.
“It’s the experience I need. It’s good to learn from our other players, Jack Batten is talking to me the whole game, Eddie [Jones] as well on the side and Clarkey [Ryan Clarke] behind me. It makes it easy for me really.
“The fans make such a difference, it has a massive impact on how we play. The atmosphere was brilliant today.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
Wood’s first three outings saw the Romans claim a clean sheet in each whereas Sunday saw them end a 16-game run in the league without one, their longest spell for ten years.
In eight matches either side of Wood’s enforced absence, City conceded 20 times.
“We’ve been focussing quite a lot on our defending and conceding fewer than the start of the season,” said Wood. “We’ve improved on the dirty side of the game – by that I mean winning the second balls. We were told at half-time today that we’d won 75% of our second balls, which is what you need.
“I feel like it’s improving all round. There’s a lot of solidity from the back four and in front which helps. The front three never stop running.
“Getting in those blocks is as good as a goal for me and hopefully we can carry on this form at Chelmsford.”