Chris Wood insists that the hard work is only just starting for Newcastle United this season - despite the Magpies sitting on their best points tally after 15 games since 1995.
The United marksman goes in against his old club Leeds knowing that he can cement his place in Eddie Howe's team on merit if he can notch at St James' Park. Howe built up praise for the New Zealand international after he led the line well against Leicester on Boxing Day in the 3-0 win in which he netted from the spot.
But he feels that there is still a big job to do moving forward. Looking ahead to the final game of 2022, Wood was keen to send the right message to fans.
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Wood told Chronicle Live: "We've still got a job to do. It is a long, long season.
"It's nice to be there. We are thankful to be in this position, but it's a long way to go and a lot of hard work to go."
"We just want to just keep ticking over and working hard. Every game will be tough.
"Every game will pose a new challenge. That doesn't stop because it's the end of the calendar year, you want it to keep going over the 38 games.
"Leeds is another game, we're gearing up for it and we want to be ready. We just want to keep ticking over and keep working hard and see where it takes us."
Wood netted from 12 yards out against Leicester to beat Wales' World Cup goalkeeper Danny Ward in the festive 3-0 win at the King Power Stadium. But he has warned watching goalkeepers he is always prepared to mix things up after striking cleanly down the middle.
Speaking about his technique, Wood said: "You have to be able to hit the ball in five areas really in my opinion. You have to keep moving it around as I am sure they read up on it, or look at your last pen.
"It's one of those where you need to be confident on all angles where you put it."
When asked if he does his homework on goalkeepers, Wood replied: "To a certain extent yeah, but I rely on hitting it the way I'd like to. You hope the keeper isn't going to get there then unless he goes extremely early. It's one of those, I am confident in my ability and we just go from there."
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