Chris Wood’s standout performances this season have seen a previous fan favourite slip down the pecking order at Nottingham Forest.
Wood has received widespread praise for his goalscoring antics this campaign, currently sitting on 19 Premier League goals.
The 33-year-old’s form in front of goal has made him unplayable this season, which has in turn limited the minutes of Forest’s other forwards, namely Taiwo Awoniyi.
The Nigerian, who was once Forest’s main man, has mustered only three league starts all season, leaving his City Ground future in doubt.
Taiwo Awoniyi speaks on Chris Wood competition
Awoniyi has been a key member of the Forest squad since arriving at the City Ground in 2022, with his goals helping keep the club in the Premier League.
The Nigerian’s impact, however, has waned this season, with the majority of his minutes coming from the bench.
Whilst featuring on the Humble Boots podcast, Awoniyi spoke on his lack of gametime this season.
“I think I have seen worse situations than this. In previous years, when I was on loan in different countries, there has been situations where I haven’t played because I am a loan player.
“So I think I moved past this now because one thing I say to myself is that you need to know why you are not playing as well and need to understand what’s happening
“Obviously we have a striker (Wood) who is one of the best strikers in Europe’s top five leagues this season. So sometimes there is nothing you can do and you just have to keep going aswell.
| Stats 24/25 | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | 31 | 2 | 0 | 808 |
“Do I deserve to play more minutes? Of course, yes, I do, but what can you do? That’s not my call and not my decision.
“In terms of how I keep going, it’s just personal to me, my beliefs and how I was brought up and brought up myself who I am today.
“The challenges I have faced in the past, I have overcome them and that’s allowed to me to see a different phase of life aswell. I always motivate myself as there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”
Nuno Espirito Santo has already spoken on Awoniyi’s Forest future
As well as Wood’s red-hot form, injuries have also plagued Awoniyi this season, with several knocks derailing any sort of momentum.
The 27-year-old’s fitness issues have even led to calls for Forest to sell Awoniyi this summer in order to raise cash for possible replacements.
When speaking on the Nigerian’s future back in January, Forest boss Espirito Santo addressed rumours of a possible exit for the striker (via Nottingham Post).
“Taiwo came on late in the game (against Liverpool), having played very well in the previous game against Luton.
“We hope that he progresses with the fitness level because we know the talent and the quality he has. He is a goalscorer.
“He always has an impact, he always has chances. That is what you can say about Taiwo. Is there something I do not know? There are rumours?”
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
