“‘Utterly Embarrassing’ – Forest Fans Tear Into Awoniyi After Brentford Cameo Sparks Meltdown”**
Nottingham Forest’s hopes of a top-four Premier League finish took a significant hit following a lackluster performance in their defeat to Brentford—a night that left fans bitterly disappointed, especially with the display of substitute Taiwo Awoniyi.
While Murillo didn’t escape criticism, the overall performance was collectively subpar. However, one player in particular drew the sharpest ire from the Forest faithful: Taiwo Awoniyi. The forward entered the game in the second half in hopes of providing attacking impetus but ended up being the focal point of frustration across social media.
Forest were already battling through adversity, with Callum Hudson-Odoi forced off at halftime due to injury. His substitution opened the door for others to step up. Instead, Awoniyi’s introduction only deepened the malaise at the City Ground. Meant to offer energy and goal threat, the Nigerian striker instead appeared off the pace and disconnected from the flow of play.
Supporters didn’t hold back. One branded Awoniyi “an embarrassment,” while others compared him unfavorably to amateur-level players. Comments ranged from “worst substitute appearance ever” to disbelief that a professional could look so ineffective, especially while reportedly earning £60,000 per week.
His performance didn’t just reflect badly on the individual—it symbolized a broader structural issue. Forest’s failure to bolster their attacking options in January is coming home to roost. Ironically, the player who netted Brentford’s second goal, Yoane Wissa, had been linked with a move to Forest during that window, but the club never came close to sealing the deal.
Awoniyi’s outing against Brentford marked his 11th Premier League appearance without a goal—an alarming run for someone expected to support Chris Wood in attack. The burden on Wood is becoming unsustainable, and Forest’s lack of depth up front is now clearly undermining their European ambitions.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is expected to act in the summer, with a new striker reportedly on the agenda. But Thursday’s toothless display only highlighted how costly the club’s January inaction may prove, with dreams of Champions League football beginning to fade fast.