Taiwo Awoniyi’s Forest docked 4 points. Are they faves for the drop?

Taiwo Awoniyi finds himself in a peculiar situation as his club finds relegation to the Championship a looming possibility in light of recent happenings.

The Tricky Trees have had a tumultuous battle all season to stay up, but their efforts seem to be coming off the hinges at a critical moment.

Following a guilty verdict for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules, the FA has docked Nottingham Forest four points, effectively sending them into the relegation zone.

With ten games to the end of the campaign, Taiwo Awoniyi and company must double their efforts to ensure they remain in the Premier League next season.

The big question is, does Taiwo Awoniyi have it in him to supply the goals needed to bail Nottingham Forest out of relegation? Time will tell.

How Taiwo Awoniyi and Forest were found guilty

The FA seems to have taken the Financial Fair Play (FFP) seriously this season, as Forest is not the first team to be penalised for breaching the rules.

Many may question their sincerity following the unending case involving Manchester City and the speed with which Everton was penalised this season but they have sent signals that they are willing to wield the big stick.

Forest was found guilty by an independent commission following losses in the 2022-23 season that breached the threshold of £61m by £34.5m.

According to the rules, Premier League clubs are allowed losses of £105m over three seasons – £35m per campaign. However, Forest is a peculiar case.

Nottingham Forest have been docked -4 points due to being guilty of Breafhing PL'S Financial Rules and have been dropped to the RELEGATION Zone. ? #FPL pic.twitter.com/V57yxWN2kl

— Kante FPL ? (@Kantelover647V2) March 18, 2024

They spent two seasons in the Championship, with the FA pegging their loss cap at £61m. If the rules that apply to other Premier League clubs came into play for Forest, their financial situation would still fall within the bracket.

Forest was docked six points but had it reduced to four points due to their cooperation during the investigation. The commission described their attitude as exceptional.

Forest is the second top-flight team to be penalised for PSR breaches after Everton lost 10 points in November, which was reduced to six on appeal.

According to reports, Forest intends to appeal the ruling, as the points deduction could harm their chances of Premier League survival.

So, Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been on the scoresheet for Forest this season needs to brace, his goals for the rest of the season will be crucial to whether Forest goes down or stays up.

As it is Taiwo Awoniyi needs divine assistance to avoid the drop.

Do Forest have a case?

With ten games to go to the end of the season, Taiwo Awoniyi will have to put up a scoring spree if Forest loses its appeal against the four-point deduction.

The relegation-threatened side hired sports lawyer Nick de Marco to defend them. They hinge their defence on the sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur in September.

According to the FA, the sale happened after the accounting deadline, but Forest claim that the late sale of Johnson allowed them to earn a higher fee than if they had sold him by 30 June.

Brennan Johnson joined Spurs for £45 million.

There was leniency on both Forest and Everton after they both agreed to have breached profitability and sustainability rules.

This is how the table now looks following Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction ?#twitterclarets pic.twitter.com/EX5pHplskA

— BurnleyExpress Sport (@BXSport) March 18, 2024

Forest found themselves in this cul-de-sac after they signed a British record 22 new players in the summer. They reportedly spent £150m in the summer of 2022 when Taiwo Awoniyi joined the team.

If they fail in their appeal, they will have to secure vital points in some difficult games. The points deduction leaves them in the relegation zone – a point behind Luton Town.

Some of the tough games Forest has to garner points include their April fixtures against Manchester City, Tottenham and Wolves. They also have a date with Chelsea and Crystal Palace.