Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison has urged Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi to enhance his game intelligence to improve his effectiveness in front of goal at Nottingham Forest.
Awoniyi, who often plays second fiddle to Chris Wood in Forest’s attacking lineup, has struggled to secure a regular starting spot, partly due to recurring injuries limiting his appearances this season.
Morrison offered his advice following Awoniyi’s display in Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup victory over Ipswich Town, where the Nigerian forward featured but failed to make a significant impact.
“Taiwo Awoniyi doesn’t read the game like Chris Wood does. You can see he’s a striker who is getting back to full fitness,” Morrison told the BBC.
Awoniyi, 26, joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 from Union Berlin and played a crucial role in helping the club avoid relegation last season.
However, competition for places and fitness issues have hampered his consistency in the current campaign.
Morrison’s remarks highlight the importance of tactical awareness and positioning for strikers, qualities that Wood has demonstrated to good effect at Forest.
As Awoniyi works his way back to full fitness, the Nigerian forward will be hoping to reclaim a regular starting spot and boost his goal tally in the latter stages of the season.
