Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has hit back at claims that he flopped in the Premier League, just six months after arriving at the City Ground.
The 25-year-old Nigerian striker is making a return to England after spending six seasons with Liverpool, but failed to make a first-team appearance.
Awoniyi joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin, where he scored 25 goals in 65 appearances. That prompted Forest to make a move for the forward in the summer to build a squad to compete in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship.
But the striker has struggled for form and managed five goals in 19 appearances in all competitions for Forest. He is currently sidelined with an injury.
Twitter user Mavs69 @Mr_jb_Maverick, while replying to a tweet, tagged Awoniyi, Claudio Pizzaro and Emmanuel Dennis Premier League flops.
He tweeted, “Did you forget or intentionally omitted Kezmam, Claudio Pizzaro, Emmanuel Dennis, Taiwo Awoniyi and the others that came with higher reputations flopped heavily? The EPL is different in terms of pace and space and you know it, stop being a hypocrite.”
Awoniyi, who was angered by the tweet, responded to @Mr_jb_Maverick, bashing him for lack of understanding and knowledge of football.
“I hope some people can be well informed or educated on what’s football, especially Nigeria (sic),” Awoniyi said on his official Twitter handle.
“I believe it will help, so most people won’t just come here and just put up a tweet anyhow.
“Unfortunately the well-educated also have sides and favouritism. That’s why will (sic) end up missing d [World] Cup.”
The Forest man will be looking to prove his doubters wrong when he returns to fitness.
Source: The Punch