Nottingham Forest-supporting pundit Darren Fletcher has raved about Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi for their performances against Southampton. The Reds won 1-0 courtesy of a fifth goal of the campaign for Awoniyi in the first half.
Steve Cooper’s team have moved up to 15th in the Premier League with their first away win of the season. It represents the first time they have been outside the bottom three since August.
Now, Forest have to start looking up. The fixtures coming up in the Premier League are against teams around them in the table and there is a real chance to go on a little run.
Last night’s result was a step in the right direction. It saw the Reds score away from home and keep a clean sheet for the first time in 24 years in the Premier League, with the fans delighted.
Fletcher enjoyed the performance. He felt that both Awoniyi and Johnson were a real handful for Southampton and compared the Nigerian striker to one of last season’s promotion heroes.
He told the Garibaldi Red Podcast: “Awoniyi and Johnson last night were a nightmare for the Southampton defence. They were direct, they ran at them, they were strong and they did everything you want to see them do. There was a bit of Keinan Davis in Awoniyi last night.”
Fletcher raved about Johnson and Awoniyi after Forest win
Fletcher isn’t backward in coming forwards with an opinion about Forest. He has every right to an opinion as a supporter and here he’s delivered a pretty solid one, to be honest.
Davis was a brilliant loan signing for the Reds last January. He was strong, scored a few goals and delighted the fan base with his ability to just steamroll beyond defenders.
It’s perhaps unfair to compare Awoniyi to Davis. The pair do have some different strengths but he has shown in recent weeks that his awkwardness makes him a nightmare for defenders.
Last night he gave the Saints back four a torrid time. His strength along with Johnson’s pace was the recipe for a huge three points for the Reds to take back to Nottingham.
Forest fans will be hoping things will be starting to click. If they do, Awoniyi and Johnson could be teeing each other up a few more times as the season progresses.