LOOK who’s talking has been a staple diet of the Christmas TV movie schedule over the years.
And it’s also becoming a theme within the City dressing room as an unexpected figure finds his voice.
Connor Wood has got the gift of the gab – and not just for this time of year.
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The left back is learning to pump up the volume after being encouraged to become more vocal by boss Gary Bowyer.
So now, Wood is not just making a big noise with his performances – even if it means the 23-year-old assuming a very different personality on the pitch.
He said: “It’s one of the things that I’ve got to work on. I’m trying to get my voice out there.
“When you step out there, you can be a different persona. You can be the nicest person off the pitch and then as soon as you cross that white line, you can totally change.
“I’m not acting up to it but it’s about being different when you are out there, being louder and being more of a presence and I think I am improving with that as the season goes along.
“You can class it as a skill. Nowadays communication is a massive part of the game and using your voice.
“I’ve spoken a lot with the gaffer about it and we’ve both realised that it is something that I’ve got to improve.”
Wood has got some way to go yet before he can compete with resident “loud mouth” Jake Reeves, whose impressive return after his lengthy injury exile has got all of his team-mates talking.
“A few of us were saying after his first game back that he didn’t look out of place at all,” added Wood. “He didn’t look like he’d just come back from a long-term injury.
“That’s credit to Reevesy and the application he’s had throughout his time out. It’s been so impressive for him to get to where he is now but he’s a great professional.
“You can hear his voice from the moment he steps into the training ground. But that’s in a positive way.
“He always talks you through the game on the pitch and that experience is massive for us.
“I was looking forward to playing with him this season as he was slowly coming back. Having him out there has been brilliant.
“It’s been a huge boost for us because he’s got great quality and charisma about him. He brings a massive amount to the team.”
With City heading up to Carlisle tomorrow, it meant Wood was unable to get back to Leicester to spend Christmas at home. Instead he is celebrating the festivities with young goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy and his family.
He said: “It was a lot of travelling because of the Boxing Day game so I’ll see my family a few days after.
“It’s a step into the unknown but I got my head round it early on. As soon as the fixtures came out, I knew there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to get home for Christmas.
“They are coming up so it’s not the end of the world and I was all good with it.
“But the best present will hopefully be the three points and going into the new year in good form.”
Wood is heading into 2020 as the outfield player with the most City starts as he cements his place in Bowyer’s plans.
After the trials and tribulations of last season, his name has become one of the first on the team sheet – although Wood laughs off any talk of being an “older head” in the side.
“As a 23-year-old, I wouldn’t want to class myself as a senior yet. But I do feel like an integral part of the squad now as a key player and that gives me confidence."
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