Some players are seemingly tailor-made for the big occasion. It is these stars that have made the word ‘clutch’ increasingly common in modern sport.
When pressure is at its heaviest and stakes at their highest, big personalities refuse to wilt and step up to deliver when it matters most.
It is almost impossible to put a price on such commodities, especially in an era where the difference between success and failure is becoming ever finer.
Those who possess the ability to provide inspiration in moments of need are worth their weight in gold, with a ‘what have you done for me lately’ mindset now more prevalent than ever.
Finish with a flourish
In the case of Nottingham Forest, nobody at the City Ground is going to forget what Taiwo Awoniyi has done for the collective cause.
The Reds find themselves locked in another relegation battle, with football betting markets pricing them at +650 to take a tumble out of the English top-flight.
Dreams of figuring in Premier League title betting, which have Arsenal as short at -275 to capture their first domestic crown in more than two decades, are there to be chased on another day for those that call banks of the River Trent home.
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For Forest, the present is all about keeping heads above water.
That has been the case on a regular basis since a return to the big time was secured in 2022. Nigeria international Awoniyi formed part of an elaborate recruitment drive that summer.
He settled quickly in new surroundings, registering Forest’s first Premier League goal in over 20 years, and ended the season in double figures when it comes to end product.
That milestone was reached after finishing – quite literally – with a flourish.
Awoniyi found the target on six occasions through the Reds’ last four games – with that purple patch including a match-winning effort against Arsenal that saw safety confirmed and led to a wild outpouring of emotion.
The powerful frontman went on to help Forest steer clear of trouble again 12 months later, before seeing them surge into Champions League qualification reckoning in 2024-25 – eventually settling for a Europa League spot.
Some tough times have been endured, including a serious injury, but Awoniyi has never allowed his head to drop.
Instead, he has worked his way back into favor under Sean Dyche. He stepped off the bench to score a goal against Brentford that had supporters comparing him to Brazil’s World Cup-winning legend Ronaldo.
This was TW9, not R9, and Dyche was positively beaming after seeing a redemption arc completed. He said of his message to Awoniyi: “Just get on with it, come and enjoy yourself.”
Forest’s boss considers that to be a case of “professional enjoyment” – otherwise known as playing with a smile on your face.
Quality over quantity
Awoniyi has, to his credit, always been pretty good in that department.
He continues to do the business for Forest when required. Three points at Brentford were vital in ongoing efforts to collect enough that will allow another course to be steered towards safety.
Their Nigerian striker stepped up. He has done so before and will have every hope of doing so again.
Awoniyi has not always been prolific for Forest, but his return has often been about quality over quantity as he comes alive in survival mode – and that really is ‘clutch’.
