Nottingham Forest have made an indifferent start to the 2025/26 campaign. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have just four points to their name so far, and have struggled since their opening day victory over Brentford, in which they thrashed Keith Andrews’ side 3-1 at the City Ground.
Since then, the men in Garibaldi Red have picked up just one point, which was a resilient draw away to Crystal Palace. Their most recent outing saw them lose 3-0 at home against the struggling West Ham United, a result which surprised some, given Forest’s result at home on the opening day.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts at the end of the match
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts at the end of the match
Perhaps the lack of goals in their last two games has coincided with one thing in particular: Chris Wood’s short drought in front of goal.
Chris Wood’s start to the season
Drought is a harsh word to use when discussing Wood’s recent form. The New Zealand international scored a brace in Forest’s season opener against the Bees, but did not find the back of the net in the next two outings, which saw his club score once, thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Chris Wood
His first goal was a resilient finish, winning the second ball from a corner after missing the initial header and poking home inside a packed penalty box.
His second goal was sublime, teed up by an exquisite first-time ball through the lines from Elliot Anderson. Wood ran onto it, rounded the goalkeeper and scored.
Of course, it is no surprise to see Wood on the scoresheet already for Nuno’s side this term. His record in Garibaldi Red is excellent, with 38 goals and four assists in just 85 appearances. Last season was his best in the Premier League, with 20 goals across the campaign.
That form earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year, in a frontline alongside new Liverpool duo Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah. Wood’s campaign in 2024/25 and his form for Forest across his career have both been exceptional.
chris wood-4
However, Forest sold a striker back in July 2023 who has enjoyed an even more successful time than Wood.
The ex-Forest star who can’t stop scoring
The past few years under their current owner, Evangelos Marinakis, have seen Forest spend significant amounts on transfer fees. However, that has meant they have needed plenty of sales to help balance the books. Departures such as Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur and Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United are the notable exits.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis in the stands
Yet, someone who left the City Ground for only £5m just over two years ago may have slipped under the radar since his departure.
The man in question here is Sam Surridge, a key figure in their promotion success. He has been on fire for Nashville in the MLS since his departure.
sam-surridge-championship-transfers-leeds
More on those numbers in a moment, but first, it’s important to highlight the Slough-born star’s contribution for Forest.
Once described as a “sensational” striker and “one of the best finishers in the Championship” by Garry Birtles, Surridge scored 11 goals in 50 appearances, including a hat-trick against Swansea City and one in the Premier League, against Bournemouth.
Looking at his form since his £5m move stateside, Surridge has been largely unstoppable. He’s bagged more goals than Wood has managed as a Forest player, with 42 strikes in Nashville yellow, in just 77 appearances, four clear of the Kiwi.
His best campaign for the club has been the most recent season. He’s bagged 20 MLS goals in just 29 games, which is the second time he has hit double figures in the competition since he joined the club two summers ago.
Surridge's Nashville record (all comps)
Stat
Games
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Mins per goal & assist
Stats from Transfermakt
The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form for the Coyotes in his two-year spell so far with the club, and is showing no signs of slowing down. As per the official MLS website, he currently leads the race for the Golden Boot by one goal, ahead of the legendary Lionel Messi.
Sam Surridge
Looking back on this sale, perhaps it is one Forest fans wish the club had never made. If Surridge had stayed at the City Ground, maybe he would have hit this vein of form and been competing with Wood for a starting spot.