2 reasons Taiwo Awoniyi may not start against Tottenham

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi could face a battle to return to Coventry City’s starting lineup when they visit Tottenham Hotspur, with Frank Lampard having two reasons to reconsider the Super Eagles striker’s role after his suspension.

Awoniyi was sent off during Coventry’s 5–0 Premier League defeat to Brighton, resulting in a three-match suspension that kept him out of the EFL Cup defeat to Aston Villa and league fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

Coventry lost 3–1 to Villa but recovered in the Premier League, beating Nottingham Forest 1–0 before thrashing Newcastle United 4–1.

Those consecutive league victories lifted the Sky Blue Stars from the bottom of the league to 14th position, but also gave coach Frank Lampard a selection headache ahead of Monday’s trip to London.

Awoniyi is available again after serving his suspension, but his return does not guarantee a starting role. The Nigerian has yet to register a Premier League goal or assist this season, while Coventry have begun to find results without him.

2 reasons Taiwo Awoniyi may not start against Tottenham

1. Coventry have won their last two Premier League matches without him

The first challenge for Awoniyi is Coventry’s improved league form during his absence.

Lampard’s side ended their difficult run with a 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest before producing a 4–1 win against Newcastle United. The results offered a welcome response after Coventry’s poor start to the campaign and showed that the team could collect points without their Nigerian forward.

The Newcastle victory was encouraging. Coventry found the net four times, with 19-year-old French attacker Cherif Sidiki starring in the Nigerian’s absence.

That creates a dilemma for Lampard. Awoniyi was signed to strengthen Coventry’s attack with his physical presence, ability to occupy defenders and experience of Premier League football. However, the players who have featured in his absence have helped the team secure back-to-back league victories.

Managers are often reluctant to change a winning formula, particularly when the team has started to build confidence.

Lampard now has to weigh the benefits of restoring an experienced striker against the possibility of disrupting an attacking setup that has finally begun to deliver results.

This does not mean Awoniyi has become surplus to requirements. His ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play could be useful against a Tottenham side that are yet to win this season.

But after two consecutive league wins, the former Union Berlin striker has to convince Lampard that his inclusion would improve the starting lineup rather than simply reflect his return from suspension.

2. Awoniyi has yet to make a decisive impact in the Premier League this season.

The second concern is Awoniyi’s output. The Nigerian has made four Premier League appearances this season without scoring or providing an assist.

His campaign was interrupted by the red card against Brighton, but his lack of goal contributions means he has yet to establish himself for Coventry.

That record becomes more significant when considered alongside the team’s recent results. Coventry struggled during their opening fixtures, but they have now won consecutive league games with Awoniyi unavailable.

The comparison does not prove that the striker’s absence caused the improvement. Football results depend on several factors, including opposition, tactical adjustments and the performances of the entire team. Nevertheless, Lampard has evidence that his side can win without solely relying on Awoniyi.

The striker must now demonstrate that he can offer something different to the attack.

A place on the bench at Spurs would not necessarily represent a loss of confidence from Lampard. Instead, it’ll allow the manager to introduce Awoniyi later in the match, when his physical presence might be useful against tiring defenders.

That way, he could score some goals against tired legs, build his confidence, and work his way back into the starting XI.