Great escape: Awoniyi’s memorable Premier League season

Latest Nottingham Forest news as Steve Cooper’s Reds look ahead to 2023/24 Premier League season

Little more than a week ago Nottingham Forest celebrated in front of a buoyant away end as the season came to a close at Crystal Palace.

But already the focus is quickly shifting to next term. Pre-season plans are beginning to take shape and the Reds have announced their retained list.

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Taiwo Awoniyi’s stunning end to the campaign, scoring in four successive matches, is one of the reasons why there is plenty of excitement ahead of next term. There is a good foundation in place for Forest to build on.

The striker’s goal against Crystal Palace on the final day was his 10th in the Premier League. He found the net in eight top-flight matches and put the Reds 1-0 up in each. According to Opta, the last player to open the scoring more times in a single season for a newly-promoted club was Andrew Johnson for Crystal Palace in 2004/05.

“A season to remember,” Awoniyi wrote on Instagram. “It all started on the streets of Agbooba, Ilorin, Kwara state, only with hope and belief, having the only source of help from the lifter of men and trusting the process against all odds.

“Yea, thou it tarry yet I will wait. Forever the greatest my God.

“Incredible support from our fans throughout the season @officialnffc. Glad we were able to keep the hope alive! Thank you Reds.”