Forest manager praises half-fit Awoniyi for goal against West Ham

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno has given his verdict on Taiwo Awoniyi after the match against West Ham United.

The win for Forest saw Nuno’s side saw them bounce back from a controversial 3-2 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United at home in the league.

Awoniyi was on target for Forest against West Ham. The 26-year-old Nigeria international striker found the back of the net in the fifth minute of first-half injury time. Nicolás Domínguez gave the assist.

Awoniyi has had injury issues this season. The striker has made 11 starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League for Forest this campaign. He has scored six goals and given two assists in those games.

Forest manager Nuno praised Awoniyi, but he has noted that he has to manage the fitness of the striker, saying that he is struggling with his fitness.

Nuno told BBC Sport about Awoniyi: “Strikers are about scoring but for us, it’s more than that. They have to work, they have to read the game and when the moment comes put it inside the net. We know he’s struggling in terms of fitness, it’s up to us to manage him.”

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno has to manage Taiwo Awoniyi carefully.

Chris Wood is out for several weeks, while Divock Origi has failed to make a huge impact at the City Ground this season.

Signed on loan from AC Milan in the summer of 2023, the former Liverpool striker has not scored or given an assist in two starts and nine substitute appearances in the Premier League.

So, it is very important for Forest that they keep Awoniyi fit. After all, despite the win against West Ham United on Saturday, the Reds are still in danger of going down to the Championship at the end of the season.