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Nuno Reveals Challenges Facing Taiwo Awoniyi’s Nottingham Forest Campaign
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has offered an in-depth assessment of striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s current struggles, highlighting how international commitments have potentially disrupted the Nigerian forward’s momentum this season.
Once Forest’s primary attacking option, Awoniyi has found his opportunities dramatically reduced, with Chris Wood’s impressive form pushing him to the periphery of the starting lineup. The 27-year-old has been limited to a mere 170 minutes across nine Premier League appearances, failing to find the net during this challenging period.
Nuno pinpointed the international breaks as a significant factor in Awoniyi’s current form, suggesting that brief, fragmented appearances for Nigeria have negatively impacted his rhythm and confidence. “Going into the previous international break, he played and then immediately went with his national team and played just five minutes,” Nuno explained. “That was a step back for his development.”
The manager remains supportive, emphasizing the importance of gradually rebuilding Awoniyi’s match fitness and mental sharpness. He highlighted a recent 60-minute performance against Arsenal as a potential turning point, describing it as a physically demanding game where Awoniyi showed promising signs.
“Everything changes in the mindset of a striker when you score,” Nuno noted. “We are waiting for this click. We trust him.”
The comments come as Forest continue their push for a top-six finish and potential European qualification, with the team maintaining pressure at the upper end of the Premier League table.
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