Newcastle United have struggled to find consistency this season, showing flashes of promise—mostly at St. James’ Park—but disappointing away performances have kept Eddie Howe’s squad from reaching its potential.
Howe knows this better than anyone, yet finding solutions in football is often easier said than done. Over his four years on Tyneside, the English manager has adapted and overcome challenges, but one signing remains a notable misstep.
In January 2022, Howe signed New Zealand striker Chris Wood from Burnley for £25 million, marking the start of a new era.
Unfortunately, the move never clicked. Wood scored just five goals in 39 appearances before leaving for Nottingham Forest, first on loan and then permanently. Pundit Tam McManus remarked that Wood looked “a bit lost” at St. James’ Park.
Thankfully, Newcastle’s progress continued in other areas, highlighted by the signing of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad after it became clear Wood wouldn’t deliver.
Despite the setback, there’s no denying Wood’s quality; he has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent strikers over the years and has enjoyed significant success, particularly with Nottingham Forest. Yet at Newcastle, even a proven goalscorer struggled to make an impact.
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