Michael Owen Brutally Singles Out Nottingham Forest Star After ‘Worrying’ Performance in Leeds Defeat
Michael Owen has delivered a scathing assessment of one of Nottingham Forest’s key players following their second defeat to Leeds United in the space of just three days.
After Leeds completed a 2-0 Carabao Cup victory at the City Ground on Tuesday night — adding to their 1-0 Premier League win at the same venue on Saturday — Owen did not hold back when analysing Forest’s display. While several players underperformed, the former England striker reserved his strongest criticism for Chris Wood, describing the New Zealand international’s contribution as “worrying” at this early stage of the season.
“I’ve got to be honest, Chris Wood’s performance tonight concerned me,” Owen said on the post-match analysis. “He’s the experienced head in that attack. He’s the one who’s supposed to lead the line and take the chances when they come. Tonight those chances came and he didn’t take them. That’s worrying for a player of his quality and experience.”
Wood started the cup tie and was presented with clear opportunities to drag Forest back into the contest. The most notable arrived shortly after Dan James had given Leeds the lead in the 50th minute, when a well-worked move left the striker with a sight of goal. James Trafford produced a fine save to deny him, but Owen felt the finish should never have allowed the goalkeeper the chance.
“When you’re the main striker and those moments fall to you, you have to be clinical,” Owen continued. “Wood has scored plenty of big goals in this league. He knows what it takes. But right now he looks short of sharpness and short of confidence. Two games against the same opponent, two losses, and the focal point of the attack isn’t delivering. That’s a problem Oliver Glasner has to solve quickly.”
Leeds’ second goal, credited to James Justin after a goalmouth scramble in the 75th minute, only underlined Forest’s inability to respond. The visitors had now beaten the Reds twice in 72 hours at the City Ground — a venue where they had not won since 1972 before this week.
Owen expanded on his concerns about Wood’s overall impact across both matches.
“It’s not just the missed chances,” he explained. “It’s the presence. When Wood is at his best he occupies defenders, he wins his duels, and he brings others into play. Over these two games I’ve seen very little of that. Leeds’ centre-backs looked comfortable. That shouldn’t be happening against a striker with his pedigree.”
The criticism has already sparked debate among Forest supporters. Some feel Owen has been overly harsh on a player still finding his rhythm under a new manager. Others agree that Wood’s output has been below the standard required, especially with the team struggling for goals.
Glasner himself acknowledged after the cup exit that the side is “far away from where we want to be,” pointing to the turbulent previous season and the need for hard work rather than miracles. The Austrian is still embedding his methods, and the attacking unit is clearly a work in progress.
Yet Owen’s comments place the spotlight firmly on the 32-year-old striker. Wood has been a reliable source of goals for Forest in recent seasons, but the early evidence under Glasner suggests he is yet to hit top form. With Liam Delap reportedly close to arriving, the competition for places up front is about to intensify.
“Promoted teams or not, Leeds have come to the City Ground twice and left with wins,” Owen concluded. “Forest need leaders to stand up. Right now, their most experienced forward isn’t doing that. That’s the worrying part for me.”
Two defeats in three days to the same opponent have left Nottingham Forest with plenty to ponder. Michael Owen has made it clear where he believes one of the biggest issues lies.
Chris Wood has been put on notice.
