How Awoniyi's goals helped Nottingham Forest protect their Premier League status 

Taiwo Awoniyi was one of the litany of players signed by Nottingham Forest last summer in a bid to ensure that they protect their Premier League status having just regained promotion.

Awoniyi was expected to lead the line of Nottingham Forest having done well last season with Union Berlin, scoring 20 goals in 43 matches. 

Due to their mass recruitment last summer, Nottingham Forest manager, Steve Cooper struggled to find his best XI and that affected Awoniyi who could only muster 3 goals in his first fifteen Premier League games.

The 25-year-old then suffered an injury which saw him miss three months of action.

The former Union Berlin striker has finally hit the ground running in recent weeks having scored 5 goals in his last three games for Forest.

While his return of 9 goals in 26 games is not that impressive, it is the importance of his goals that have kept Nottingham Forest in the Premier League for at least one more season.

The 2013 U17 World Cup winner has scored four match-winning goals which has earned Forest 12 points.

 Forest have picked up at least a point in the game Awoniyi has scored except for the 3-2 loss to Fulham in September, last year.

It is no coincidence that Forest confirmed their place in the Premier League for next season when the Super Eagles striker found form.

Awoniyi's 9 goals is also the most of any player for Forest in the Premier League this season, despite starting just 16 games.

Therefore, there is no doubt that when the two-time European Champions' survival story is being written, Awoniyi will be one of the main characters.

Steve Cooper will be hoping the Nigerian attacker can continue his good run of form going into next season and stay fit so as to avoid another relegation tussle.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Photo Credit: nottinghamforest.co.uk

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