Taiwo Awoniyi is why Nottingham Forest will stay up

Taiwo Awoniyi returned from an injury that kept him out of AFCON 2023 with a bang. The former Union Berlin forward scored in his first game back.

The Nottingham Forest striker continued his rich vein of form against West Ham following his return from injury. He scored the opener in a 2-0 win over the Hammers.

Taiwo Awoniyi has played a vital role in changing the fortunes of Forest this season. The work rate of the former Liverpool man propelled the club forward.

The victory over West Ham saw Forest leapfrog Crystal Palace into 15th place as their race for survival continues, with Luton Town, Everton and Burnley hot on their tail.

It has become evident that to survive the relegation battle, Forest will need Taiwo Awoniyi fit and firing on all cylinders.

Taiwo Awoniyi: Key to Nottingham Forest Survival

It has not been a perfect season for Taiwo Awoniyi, but the Super Eagles striker has shown, statistically, how valuable he is to Forest.

Injuries have played a massive role in his output this season, as he was on the sidelines for almost half the number of Premier League games played by Forest this season.

Let’s go into the stats and see how much Taiwo Awoniyi has contributed to Forest this season.

Nottingham Forest has played 25 Premier League games this term, with Taiwo Awoniyi starting or coming in as a sub in 14. He has missed eleven Premier League games due to injury this term.

He has the best goal-to-match ratio of any player in the team.

Taiwo Awoniyi sends his message after scoring for Nottingham Forest.

Yoruba: “Kilen F’Olorun Pe”

English: “Who are you taking God for”

Indeed God is the greatest! ???? pic.twitter.com/vZOwzlyB1E

— Dagashotz (@DagaShotz) February 17, 2024

Chris Wood has played the most games for Forest this season with 20 appearances and has eight goals for his efforts. Taiwo Awoniyi is the club’s second top scorer with six goals despite being among the players with the fewest appearances.

He has played 972 minutes in 14 appearances.

While Anthony Elanga has six assists to top that department, Taiwo Awoniyi has two to place fourth.

Nottingham Forest has won two games and lost six when Taiwo Awoniyi was unavailable but has four wins and seven losses from all his appearances.

The striker scored in his three opening games this season and had two assists in the next two before injury sidelined him. He is one of the highest-rated strikers in the team, with a rating of almost 7/10 when starting.

Taiwo Awoniyi: 2023/24 Stats

Taiwo Awoniyi is undoubtedly one of the top players at Nottingham Forest, with the coach counting on him to deliver for the team this season.

Forest are not yet safe. They must pick 18 points from their remaining 13 matches to assure safety. Of their 32 Premier League goals, Taiwo Awoniyi has scored six, Wood (8), Elanga (5) and Hudson Odoi (4).

He scored twice against Arsenal and West Ham and once against Manchester United. Nuno Espirito Santo needs to get him on the pitch regularly, as he has shown, with proper supply, he will score.

1-0 Nottingham Forest.

TAIWO AWONIYI HAS GIVEN THEM THE LEAD VS WEST HAM UNITED !!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/KfNiOdxnGw

— fadamirack (@iamfadamirack) February 17, 2024

Only Ibrahim Sangaré (11), Divock Origi (10), Cheikhou Kouyaté (10), Gonzalo Montiel (9), Joe Worrall (7), Nuno Tavares (6), Odisseas Vlachodimos (5) and Scott McKenna (5) have played fewer games than the Nigerian with none of them scoring any goal.

Nuno Espirito Santo hopes the Super Eagles striker will be fit for their remaining Premier League games this season.