Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has advised Taiwo Awoniyi to refine his game-reading skills if he hopes to reach the level of his Nottingham Forest teammate, Chris Wood.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live while analyzing Forest’s FA Cup win over Ipswich Town, Morrison highlighted the differences between the two strikers.
Taiwo Awoniyi doesn’t read the game like Chris Wood does. You can see he’s a striker coming back to full fitness, Morrison stated.
Awoniyi, who has struggled for consistent game time this season, was substituted in the 82nd minute against Ipswich, with Wood eventually scoring the winning goal.
The Nigerian forward has played just 250 minutes across 20 Premier League games, scoring only once, while Wood has logged 2,196 minutes in 27 appearances, netting an impressive 18 league goals.
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Awoniyi’s dip in form has raised concerns about his potential Super Eagles call up for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The former Liverpool striker will need to improve his performance to secure his spot in the squad.
Editorial
Taiwo Awoniyi’s struggles this season highlight the importance of tactical intelligence for modern strikers. While he possesses pace, strength, and finishing ability, his inability to anticipate movements and read the game has allowed Chris Wood to become Nottingham Forest’s preferred forward.
For Awoniyi, the message is clear improving his off-the-ball movement, positioning, and decision-making will help him regain his starting spot. With Nigeria preparing for World Cup qualifiers, he must rediscover his goal-scoring form to convince Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle that he deserves a place in the squad.
The coming weeks are crucial. If Awoniyi does not step up his performances, his spot in both Nottingham Forest’s lineup and the Super Eagles squad could be at risk.
Did You Know?
- Chris Wood has scored 18 goals this season, making him Nottingham Forest’s most reliable striker.
- Taiwo Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest for £17 million from Union Berlin, where he scored 15 Bundesliga goals in his final season.
- Awoniyi was a key figure in Nigeria’s AFCON 2023 squad before an injury forced him to miss most of the tournament.
- Nigeria is currently fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, making the upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe critical.
- Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has hinted at giving opportunities to in-form strikers, making Awoniyi’s situation even more precarious.
