NafisaTaiwo Awoniyi’s search for his first goal of the season continues as the Nigerian striker remains goalless in 11 appearances for Nottingham Forest. Despite his struggles, former Manchester City defender and Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce has praised the team’s attacking depth, calling Awoniyi a reliable alternative to the red-hot Chris Wood.
New Zealand’s all-time leading goalscorer, Wood, has been in scintillating form this season, netting nine goals in 14 appearances. Signed permanently from Newcastle United in the summer, Wood has firmly established himself as Forest’s primary striker under Nuno Espírito Santo.
Pearce highlighted the effectiveness of Forest’s counterattacking game and credited Wood’s contributions to the team’s recent success. Speaking to Nottingham Post, he said:
“The legs they’ve got on the counterattack have been very good. They are the only team to win at Liverpool because of the counterattack threat they offer.”
Pearce also lauded Wood’s current form, describing it as a golden period in his career.
“And Chris Wood is scoring goals, which is fantastic for the club as well. He is having a halcyon period in his career,” Pearce noted. “If he’s not fit, Taiwo Awoniyi did well last season so can step in for him. The bottom line is they’ve got threat on the counterattack with pace, and two goalscorers at the point of the team.”
While Forest struggled during their recent trip to the Etihad Stadium, with neither Wood nor Awoniyi finding the net in a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Pearce’s comments underline the potential strength in their attacking ranks.
Looking ahead, Nottingham Forest will hope to bounce back when they face Manchester United on Saturday, with both strikers keen to make their mark in a pivotal fixture.
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