"I must admit": Martin O'Neill says one Forest player has really surprised him this season

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Nottingham Forest have an opportunity to reflect on their recent loss to Newcastle United during this latest international break.

It has been a sensational start to the campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo and his men who remain sat in fifth spot of the table.

The game last weekend against Newcastle could have seen Forest maintain their spot in third but that did slip slightly.

However, there is still an awful lot for the Reds to be pleased with after their opening 11 games in the Premier League.

Morgan Gibbs-White has impressed on international duty for England and has been just one of the standout performers for the Reds this season.

And there is something else which has really surprised former Forest manager Martin O’Neill after what he’s seen at the City Ground.

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Martin O’Neill surprised by Chris Wood’s Nottingham Forest form

Although it has very much been a team effort from Forest this season, there is one player who has stood out amongst the rest in Chris Wood.

With eight goals to his name in the Premier League, Wood has been hailed by Troy Deeney as one of the league’s best players this season.

And speaking on TalkSPORT, O’Neill has admitted his form has really surprised him so far.

“They’ve got a bit of pace in the team, they can score a few goals. It’s a wee bit surprising really about the centre-forward doing so well, I must admit,” O’Neill said.

“He’s the same age as me! He’s done remarkably well – really good. And no, I wouldn’t think the loss to Newcastle is anything more than a blip in proceedings.”

It is not just in the Premier League where the 32-year-old is impressing with Wood scoring twice for New Zealand against Vanuata this week.

But his efforts in the league have been recognised with Wood winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for October.

Chris Wood needs a new contract at Forest

An interesting few months lie ahead for Forest when it comes to Wood’s future with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Wood has been likened to Ronaldo by Elliot Anderson he has been that good this season in a Forest shirt.

But the Reds are at risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the campaign if they are unable to tie him down to a new deal.

Wood has provided Forest with 53% of their goals in the Premier League this season with their next-highest goalscorer – Callum Hudson-Odoi – only returning two goals.

Although the striker is 32 years old, Wood is being hailed as ‘underrated’ by a lot of pundits and could still prove great value for money at the City Ground.