Middlesbrough youngster Nathan Wood made his league debut for the club at just 17-years-old during the 1-1 draw with Birmingham City on Tuesday night.
A product of the club’s youth set-up the defender replaced Dael Fry in the first-half to register his first-ever Championship appearance.
According to WhoScored.com, Wood’s performance earned him a performance rating of 6.4/10 which seems a little harsh based on the supporters’ assessment of the centre-back’s showing.
Will Nathan Wood go on to be a regular for Boro?
Yes
No
And another great league debut for one of our promising youngsters well done Nathan UTB
— graham robinson (@grahamarobinson) January 22, 2020
He never looked under too pressure. Seemed a steady debut.
— Peter Lee Rodgers (@OOTfirebobby) January 22, 2020
Was excellent.
— Peter Singh (@Smarmalat) January 22, 2020
Didn’t really do a foot wrong, well done lad?
— Joe? (@ALankyNoodle) January 22, 2020
I will say though, how well did Nathan Wood do when he came on, said a few times on our podcast to give him a chance, obviously our hand was forced tonight but he looked composed and assured, very good ???
— Stephen Jackson (@SmoggyOnTour) January 21, 2020
Over the moon Nathan Wood is getting a run out for Boro. Been on about him for years he’s the best young player I’ve ever seen.
Future England ??????? player!
— Dean Moore (@DeanMoore1978) January 21, 2020
What do we think?
The early indications suggest Wood has all the attributes to become a fine player but that doesn’t guarantee anything. Often, we see talented young footballers show signs of promise before slipping down the divisions and failing to fulfil the potential they once showed.
That’s not to say it’s going to happen to Wood, but the point is that it can be difficult to predict at what rate and how much an individual will develop. In Jonathan Woodgate, he couldn’t have asked for a better mentor in terms of cultured central defenders.
Woodgate famously joined Real Madrid in 2004 and in the eyes of many found the perfect balance between being a cultured, ball-playing centre-half and applying the traditional principles English centre-halves are known for.