Taiwo Awoniyi has been experiencing a dry spell, failing to score in his recent three matches, and Wayne Rooney has offered insights on how he can improve.
Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has suggested that Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi focus on enhancing his positioning to increase his scoring opportunities, according to Soccernet.ng.
Serving as Nottingham Forest’s leading striker this season, Awoniyi kicked off impressively, netting four goals in his initial ten matches in the Premier League. However, a thigh injury sidelined him from November to January.
Following his return, Awoniyi managed to add two more goals to his tally in eight matches for Nottingham Forest. Among these matches was an FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last week, where the 26-year-old striker did not score.
Rooney, celebrated for his achievements with Manchester United and his 208 Premier League goals, has offered guidance to Awoniyi on securing more goals.
“As a forward, if you put yourself in the middle of the goal, you will get chances,” he said, according to Nottingham Post.
“He needs to take a little bit more care and perhaps make the extra pass, but he will get better opportunities.”
“He has to be ready when those chances come. If he progresses to a bigger club, he will have to be taking those chances.”
Currently, Nottingham Forest occupies the 17th spot in the Premier League, holding a four-point lead over the relegation zone with eleven matches remaining.
It was during this phase of the season last year that Awoniyi began to significantly increase his goal tally.