Football
Exclusive: Nottingham Forest’s Awoniyi Plans to Build on Last Season’s Survival
Taiwo Awoniyi is determined for Nottingham Forest to learn from their challenging Premier League experiences and come back stronger next season. Despite points deductions and injury struggles, Awoniyi played a crucial role in securing Forest's top-flight status.
Image Credits: Liverpool FC
Taiwo Awoniyi insists Nottingham Forest will learn from their tough and testing experiences in the Premier League last season and bounce back stronger next term.
Deducted points for breaching Profit and Sustainability regulations, Nuno Espirito Santo’s misfiring side had to wait until the final round of games before securing top-flight status for a third year in succession.
Awoniyi emerged as a pivotal figure in what proved a successful survival bid, with the Nigeria striker’s performances helping Forest keep their heads above water.
Learning from Last Season’s Challenges
Reflecting on events over the past year, he predicted that continuing to run shoulders with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will bring the best out of Nuno’s men.
“It’s another chance to stay in the Premier League and show why we are here,” said Awoniyi.
“We’ve always tried to give it our all and that’s what we’ll continue to do in the future.
“It feels good to know that we are staying here and there’s a lot more to come. Of that, I am sure.
Continuing to Fight
“We’ve had highs and lows. That’s it. But all the way through, we’ve given everything and will continue to do so in the future. That is the way we are built.
“We want to keep on getting better, keep on improving. What we’ve been through, that is going to happen.
“There have been ups and downs. That is normal. You take things from all of them and then use them.”
Injury and Recovery
Aged 26, Awoniyi has scored 17 goals in only 32 starts for Forest since completing a £17m move from Union Berlin two years ago.
Despite struggling with injury last season - which explains his absence from Nigeria’s recent World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin - Awoniyi’s displays in Forest colours have seen him become a target for West Ham.
Image Credits: Punch Newspapers
New International Coach
The Super Eagles, who unveiled former Ipswich Town winger Finidi George as their head coach in April, reached the final of the latest African Cup of Nations. Awoniyi missed the tournament through injury, after undergoing surgery to correct a groin issue he picked-up on international duty.
He marked his return to action for Forest in January by netting in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal at the City Ground.
“We want to keep progressing and it’s good to welcome a new coach,” added Awoniyi.
“I think it’s a good appointment and it will be good to meet him.”
“There’s lots of us now playing in the highest leagues in different countries,” Awoniyi said.
“That can only be a good thing and shows how strong we are.”
Determination for Growth Despite Poor Start
However, despite Awoniyi’s positive comments towards the new boss, George hasn’t had the best of starts to life at the Super Eagles, recently losing to Benin 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match.
“For me, it’s always important to keep on wanting to do more. That is the way you have to be, in order to get better,” the Forest striker added.
“You can never settle, ever, for what you have got in football. You can never stand still.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.