Leeds coach James Beattie claims Chris Wood has the attributes to destroy Championship teams

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The Leeds striker has made an excellent start to the season in the second tier.

Leeds coach James Beattie

Leeds United coach James Beattie has claimed that Chris Wood is a beast physically and has the attributes that means that he should be destroying teams in the Championship, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

Wood has made a brilliant start to the season, scoring seven times in 13 games in all competitions. Despite his great return however, the New Zealander has often looked like the pressure of expectation may be getting the better of him, especially when he has failed to find the back of the net for a couple of games.

Leeds United’s Chris Wood

But Beattie has explained that the 24-year-old has all the qualities required to be one of the top players in the division.

“He’s got all the physical attributes he needs and in our system he’s got a certain role,” he said, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“As a lone striker it’s important that he stays high up the pitch and forces the opposition back. It might mean that he doesn’t see the ball for 15 minutes but the key for him is not to get frustrated or be tempted to come deep. All that does is clutter up the space in midfield.

“Everybody’s seen a good improvement but Chris Wood at this level should be destroying teams. He’s so physically strong; a beast, really. I wasn’t as big as Chris but I know that defenders playing against me knew they’d get a whack. They knew they’d be in for a game. Of course there are areas where he can improve but he sees that himself. He’s a very coachable player.”

In terms of natural goalscorers, Wood looks well on course to be one of the Whites’ best marksman since their relegation from the Premier League 12 years ago.

Since his arrival at Elland Road last summer, the former Leicester man has frequently put himself in the right positions to finish off chances.

And while last term, he often left those opportunities pass him by, this season, he has been much more ruthless, and that has been a large reason why Garry Monk’s men are gradually ascending up the table.