Wy Chris Wood is crucial to Leeds United’s promotion hopes

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Whilst arguably not the most memorable fixture in recent memory, Leeds United took another big step towards securing a Sky Bet Championship play-off spot, with a 3-1 win away to Birmingham City, on Friday night.

Nothing about the game suggested a classic, and in truth, the game was largely a scrappy affair, but there was one shining light in front of a bare St Andrews – Chris Wood, a man who teammate, Hadi Sacko, jokingly suggested is good enough to sign for Real Madrid.

The New Zealand international has been a standout star for Leeds this season and looks like he could be key to the Yorkshire club if they are to elevate themselves back to the big time. After two more goals against Birmingham, Wood moved clear of Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle at the top of The Championship scoring charts. Wood now has scored 22 league goals this season, his best ever return in his professional career.

Although not the most glamorous of footballers, Wood’s old-fashioned style of forward-play has benefitted Leeds, being able to knock the ball long and rely on the big man to hold the ball and bring others into play. This was evident yesterday. Leeds were largely outplayed by Birmingham for large periods of the game, but following a long ball down the pitch that Wood was able to latch on to, he deftly lifted the ball over Tomasz Kuszczak to give The Whites an early lead.

Wood was isolated for much of the game, spending most of the game frustrated at Leeds’ inability to string passes together, on what was admittedly a very difficult surface. But when the chances came, Wood was clinical. Following his clever finish for his first goal, he was on hand to convert Kalvin Phillips’ low cross past the helpless Kuszczak, to restore Leeds’ advantage after Craig Gardner had equalised. The chance looked easy, but so often we have seen players miss chances like that on bobbly pitches.

Being clinical in front of goal has been a part of Wood’s game that has often been under much scrutiny for much of his career. Wherever he has gone, he has not been particularly fruitful, in regards to his goal record. However, this season he has managed to put those demons to bed, scoring 25 goals in 38 games, in all competitions. His overall record for Leeds is also impressive, netting 38 goals in 70 games for The Whites. There is no doubt about it, Wood looks like he has found a settled home.

The former Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion man has also managed 57% of his attempted shots on target, bettered only by Dwight Gayle, Scott Hogan, and Tom Ince, when you consider players who have scored more than 10 league goals this season. 22 goals from 38 shots on target is impressive, and the Auckland-born forward has contributed to just under 50% of Leeds’ league goals this season.

It showed when Leeds travelled to non-league Sutton United and looked toothless without their leading scorer. Wood’s deputy, Marcus Antonsson, has not been able to step up, and the goal-scoring responsibility has fallen solely on the New Zealander. Thankfully for Leeds, he has delivered.

Before the match kicked off, Sky’s punditry team described the team as the best Leeds side in a while. Not since the squad that reached the 2006 Play-Off Final, including the likes of David Healy and Rob Hulse, have Leeds fans felt so positive about a side. It is Chris Wood driving the excitement of the Elland Road crowds.

Leeds now sit fourth in The Championship, breathing down the necks of fellow promotion chasers Huddersfield Town, following their 2-1 defeat to leaders Newcastle, on Saturday evening. If Leeds are to be one of the three teams that go up, come the end of the season, then Wood’s goals will surely be crucial. With big games coming up against QPR, Brighton, and Reading, Leeds know that for as long as Wood keeps scoring, they have every chance of winning these games, and in the long term, making it back into The Premier League.

Leeds can now look ahead to Tuesday’s fixture against Fulham, hoping they can keep their momentum going.

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