Les Ferdinand believes Chris Wood has been 'tremendous' for Newcastle United since signing in January despite his slow goalscoring start. The former Burnley striker opened his account in black-and-white at the eight attempt during the away win at Southampton last week.
The New Zealand international has been industrious in both defence and attack as the lone striker in Callum Wilson's ongoing absence. Ferdinand believes the 30-year-old has provided the 'focal point' which the Magpies had been missing, and highlighted the striker's overall contributions to the side.
He told Amazon Prime ahead of Newcastle's clash with Everton: "The standout for me is Chris Wood up front. I feel in the past with Joelinton playing through the middle, they didn't have a focal point. They have now got that focal point which means that everyone can play off of him.
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"I think he has been tremendous since he has gone in there. Getting hold of the ball, shrugging people off and keeping the ball up there which wasn't happening for Newcastle. The ball was going forward and it was coming straight back.
"Now, he is their focal point. The ball is going into him and he is able to hold people off and bring people into the game as a traditional number nine, that is what your job is. Of course, you want to score goals and I think he will score goals as this team will create chances for him.
"But it is the other side of the game that Newcastle were missing which he has brought to Newcastle and is doing so well at the moment."
Joelinton returned to the starting eleven for the Thursday night's following a two-match absence due to a long-standing groin complaint. The former number nine has blossomed in an unfamiliar midfield role in recent months, and has established himself as a key player under Eddie Howe.
Reflecting on the record signing's transformation, Ferdinand said: "He was supposed to be this traditional number nine, the one who was playing up front and taking the number nine shirt was always going to be difficult. I'd seen him play before, and he's always been one of those modern-day centre-forwards who can play left side, right side, or through the middle.
"But his best position had always been coming off the wings, so now Eddie is playing him in midfield he is finding his feet again. He is finding that confidence that we never thought he would have playing for Newcastle, and he's been the driving force through midfield which seems really strange from his time as a centre-forward.
"It seems to be working so well for Newcastle, and Eddie was talking about him being the one they wanted to get back [from injury].
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