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Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has stressed the importance of building a winning mentality during pre-season after finding the net in Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The Nigeria international captained Nottingham Forest and scored in the second half as the Premier League side eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Championship opponents Blackburn Rovers.
Awoniyi, who joined Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga side Union Berlin, endured a difficult campaign as injuries and inconsistent form limited his impact for much of the season.
However, the Nigerian striker finished on a high, scoring three goals and registering two assists in his final six Premier League appearances.
Speaking to Forest TV after the match, the former Liverpool striker expressed his delight at getting on the score sheet and emphasized the importance of using pre-season to regain match sharpness and build momentum ahead of the new campaign.
“It feels good and that’s what the preseason is all about, getting the rhythm, ready for the season, and getting goals,” Awoniyi said.
The 28-year-old admitted the demanding conditions in training have tested the squad but insisted the focus remains on improving fitness and accumulating valuable minutes before the start of the 2026/2027 campaign.
“It is very hot but at the end of the day, preseason is all about getting fit and getting the minutes. I think we all know this and the goal is just to be ready before the first game and everyone knows it and we just keep going.”
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Awoniyi also underlined that the groundwork for a successful campaign is laid during pre-season, insisting that the team’s mentality and work ethic at this stage will play a crucial role once the season gets underway.
“For me, I always say this, the games we win in the season start from now. This is where you get the bits done because when the season starts, there might be less minutes to do the runs and this is where the winning mentality starts. If you go in to achieve anything, you start from here,” he added.
The Nigerian international also praised the atmosphere within the club’s camp, commending the coaching staff and support team for creating a positive environment during preparations.
“It’s been great with everyone, the coaching staff, nutritionist, and medical staff everyone has been helpful. I think it has been great and fun to be together again and getting to understand each other.”
Looking ahead to Forest’s next pre-season fixture against Vitória Sport Clube on Sunday, Awoniyi maintained that the priority is ensuring every player gains the necessary playing time to be fully prepared for the start of the new campaign.
“The game on Sunday is all about getting the necessary minutes and everyone to be ready and ready for the season,” the Nigerian striker concluded.
After overcoming a difficult period through injury, Awoniyi will be hoping to build on his encouraging pre-season form and carry that momentum into the 2026/27 campaign as Nottingham Forest aim to compete strongly across all competitions.
