After missing what seemed like a certain goal against the Central Coast Mariners last season, for Pat Wood all he wanted to do was set things right in the next match.
Unfortunately for the 22 year old, he never got that chance with a broken foot derailing his season and sending the striker onto crutches.
Fast forward six months and Wood made his first appearance off the bench in Saturday’s pre-season friendly against the Jets and it brought to an end one of the toughest periods of his life.
“After I tried to get back on pitch, I had to have surgery and ended up getting two, six centimetre screws put in my ankle so I was off my feet for the best part of four maybe five weeks and I have been rehabbing for the last three months and doing a lot of gym.
“That was probably the toughest part of my career I’ve ever had.
“I spent a lot of days by myself just working, coming in when the boys had the day off and I had a lot of noise go into my head during that period.
“I was so frustrated and lonely in the gym,” Wood said.
“Despite the head noise I heaps of good support around me. The boys, especially the physio team and Uffy [Ufuk Talay], he was amazing with me, plus my family and everyone supported me and I have come out a lot tougher.
“I feel so resilient to get through it.”
The number 13 played 25 minutes in the 3-2 victory and worked incredibly hard during his cameo to show that he is hungry and ready for the 2024/25 season and everything it will bring.
“I has been such a long road but I couldn’t be happier to be back out there with the boys.
“Obviously I’ve been watching a lot of pre-season games from the sideline this year and finally getting out there, I feel exhausted,” he added.
“I’m just so happy to be back.”
Making himself available for Saturday’s Sydney Derby, Wood believes that this squad has the potential to do something special this season.
“We have such a strong squad and such good players and the boys are connecting so well off the field and on the field. It’s such a privilege to watch and the patterns are just unbelievable at the moment.
“I think everyone at the club would be disappointed if we didn’t win everything we can this year.
“We have such a good squad this year and I feel so privileged to be in this team.”
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Round One
Saturday 19th October 2024
CommBank Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:35pm AEST
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
