New statistic shows how crucial Taiwo Awoniyi is for Nottingham Forest

Awoniyi has struggled badly with injuries, but Nottingham Forest do not have a viable alternative

Premier League side Nottingham Forest have not won any game that Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has not featured in this season, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria star Awoniyi has struggled with injuries since he joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin last season. He missed over 14 weeks of action last season because of a groin injury, but he eventually scored ten goals in 27 games, accounting for over a quarter of Nottingham Forest’s goals in the Premier League.

This season, the 26-year-old’s situation has not improved, as he has been battling with the same groin injury since the start of season. Coach Steve Cooper had to manage situation, but it got to a head during the last international break when he had to exit Nigeria’s game against Lesotho after sustaining an injury.

Following his return to Nottingham Forest, the club confirmed that Awoniyi would be out of action for multiple months after undergoing an operation.

Since then, Cooper has had to make do with Chris Wood and Divock Origi. Unfortunately, the Tricky Trees have felt Awoniyi’s presence. On Friday night, they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham despite recording twelve goal attempts.

In a related development, Opta Joe has revealed that the Tricky Trees have not won any of the nine games that Awoniyi has missed. They have lost three of their games and lost six.

0 – In the nine Premier League games in which Taiwo Awoniyi has not started for Nottingham Forest this season, they have won none (D3 L6), with 11 of their 14 points this season coming when he has been in the starting XI, including all three of their wins. Absence. pic.twitter.com/OtopoboKbm

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 15, 2023

Unfortunately for Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi may likely be sidelined till February. But with the January transfer window opening in two weeks, Cooper could get a good replacement.