Nottingham Forest coach Sean Dyche revealed he had a simple but timely chat with Taiwo Awoniyi before the Super Eagles striker came off the bench to score in Nottingham Forest’s vital 2-0 Premier League win over Brentford.
Forest extended their unbeaten run to three league matches with goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi, a result that lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone as the fight for survival continues. Jesus opened the scoring in the first half with a fine touch and composed finish, registering his second Premier League goal of the season.
Taiwo Awoniyi, who replaced Jesus in the 68th minute, made an immediate impact. In the 79th minute, he raced into the box to meet a pass from Morgan Gibbs-White and fired a right footed shot past the goalkeeper to double Forest’s lead and seal the win. It was his first league goal in more than a year, ending a long wait after a serious abdominal injury last season.
Speaking after the match, Dyche expressed his delight for the Nigerian forward. “Absolutely buzzing,” he said. “He works hard for us and trained well in the last week. I had a chat with him nothing heavy and reminded him to be free. He looked free when he came on. He worked very hard and it was a very good finish.
“I’ve not gone too deeply with him about the injury. That’s by the by. I certainly don’t keep reflecting back, I wasn’t here and I know what happened was very serious. It’s just talking to him generally. Just get on with it, come and enjoy yourself. It’s not that easy professional enjoyment I call it. I don’t mean go out there like running around in the playground, you have professional responsibility.
“He had a soft spell a couple of weeks ago but then he’s come out of it. He’s looked sharper and come back to life, let’s say. I had no doubt about putting him on.”
Dyche also praised Igor Jesus for his contribution. “I’m pleased for Igor as well. He’s been knocking on the door and has been working very hard. He gets his reward with a good bit of play and a fine finish. We want everyone’s noses pointing in the right direction. We have reminded them of that after the game.”
The manager noted that the goals came shortly after Forest strengthened their attack with the loan signing of Italian forward Lorenzo Lucca from Napoli. “It’s the thing with football, you bring a striker in and then your strikers score,” Dyche said. “Sometimes that’s just the way it is. That competitive element is almost subliminal that’s why managers do it across the board. When you bring in the freshness of different players, it often kicks others into life. I don’t think they needed that, I must say.”
Forest’s disciplined display and clinical finishing proved decisive, with Awoniyi’s late strike putting the seal on a morale boosting away victory.
