Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, has backed Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, to hit top form when he returns from International duty with Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old has been subjected to just 79 minutes of action in the Premier League this season due to subsequent injuries and Chris Wood’s prolific form in front of goal.
He played 90 minutes against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup but struggled to get going, skying his spot kick during the penalty shootout.
Nonetheless, he’s gotten a call up for Nigeria’s games against Libya during this month’s international break, and his club coach, hopes he finds the icebreaker needed to return to top form after the break.
“All the strikers need that moment, but Taiwo did well (against Fulham). It’s been a while since he started. He played 45 minutes and created a lot of situations. We’re counting on him. It was an option to put him alongside Wood. It’s something we have to work on and improve because it can give us good results, but that was the first time (of using it). I think he did well.
Now it’s about managing him. Now he goes to the national team. I hope he plays because what Taiwo needs is competition and to be competing. Hopefully when he return he is another option for us,” the former Tottenham Hotspur coach said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Post.
Despite Awoniyi’s injury record, the Portuguese coach revealed the solution is to properly manage the player, rather than waiting for him to reach apex fitness status.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a case of being patient with him, it’s about taking the right management. We have to assess him and we have to push him, which is what we are doing. He’s doing extra work on the training ground to make up for the time he lost in pre-season. We have to manage him, but he’s a very good player for us. It is a good option to have Taiwo 100 percent because he has proven before what he can do for the team,” Nuno added.
Nottingham Forest travel to Stamford Bridge this afternoon to take on Chelsea, who are currently firing on all fronts.