The Nottingham forest has only two attackers: they must sign another this summer
Taiwo Awoniyi’s contribution to the recent history of Nottingham Forest was significant.
He scored six goals in the last four games of the 2022-23 season to help Forest survive in the Premier League and avoid an immediate return to the championship.
The Nigeria International has been put aside for almost three months with a groin problem, but has pushed hard to return quickly and play a crucial role in the execution. Without those goals, they would not push for qualifying in the Champions League.
In November 2023, the striker had to undergo surgery to repair the problem, leaving him to face another 10 weeks on the sidelines.
It deserves more respect than what has not had on social media when the news arrived that it would not have been available to face the Aston Villa after having undergone a problem with the knee tendon in the final stages of the 1-0 victory over Manchester United on April 1. He pushed requests from some fans to pass.
But another striker must be at the top of the Forest shopping list this summer. What was followed in 2-1 defeat at Villa Park was a perfect demonstration of why it is imperative that the forest added a third natural striker to their team.
Awoniyi is out with an injury to the knee tendon (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
For so much time this season, Chris Wood’s rampty shape meant that there have been long spells when the forest has not always requested a second striker, it doesn’t matter a third.
The absence of the 18 -goat of the forest of the forest has never been felt as deeply as in the western Midlands, in particular with the lack of Awoniyi.
The forest had 19 shots. Three hit the target. It seemed that almost all the other efforts returned to the same category: a blow shot through the door, for a short time the wrong part of the pole. Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Adoi, Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White had all at least a moment in their heads, while looking at the ball browser.
The first half was dominated by the home team, while they are fed in an advantage 2-0 within 15 minutes. Both the objectives of the villa through the attacks along the forest on the right, with the full -back Ola Aina, seriously missed after suffering a tension in the calf.
The key tactical change of Nuno Expire Santo was to mark Mank Villa throughout the field in the second half. It was transformative, with Forest who created enough possibility of having won the game, it doesn’t matter, take a point from the final whistle. Of their 19 efforts on goal, 13 arrived after the interval. Forest expected objectives (XG) It went from 0.44 in the first half, to 1.04 in the second.
But they only had the turn and blow of Jota Silva, inclined through the door and, for once, inside the post – to show their efforts. Murillo approached a contender to the season again, but his 25 yard shot bounced from the top of the bar.
Joata Silva, on the right, celebrates with Morato after the score (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
Would things have been different if Wood or Awoniyi was available?
“We have tried to find solutions. But football concerns the attackers. We miss Chris and we miss Awoniyi, because the way we play, the way we do things, we need a reference point player,” said Nuno, when this question is asked in his post-match press conference. “It is hard for Elanga, Hudson-Adoi, Jota and Ramon Sosa to do the same job.”
The forest is hope that the wood will soon return from the hip problem that has suffered in international service with New Zealand. Initially it was not thought that it would be put aside for a long time. They are waiting for the result of further tests to find out how long Awoniyi will be absent.
In their absence, Gibbs-White started playing Elanga and Hudson-Adoi right behind a 3-4-3 formation. Elanga added the injury problems when it was withdrawn as a precaution in half time and Jota was enrolled in the forward line.
The forest seemed best for its presence, with its energy and persistence which often gives the headache to Villa. If the 33 -year -old Wood is not suitable to face Everton on Saturday, Jota has scored a good hearing for a starting role, since Nuno’s team tries to maintain his push for qualifying in the Champions League.
Forest made an unparalleled offer of £ 22 million ($ 28.3 million) for Yoaane Wissa in Brentford in January. Signing it in the summer seems unlikely, given the evaluation of the London Club player is much higher.
We hope that the summer window proves to be a simpler market in their search for another front. If European football is ensured for the first time in three decades, additional fixtures mean that the need will be even greater.
(Photo above: Elanga went halfway through the defeat for Villa. Dan Istitent/Getty Images)
