Scored goals in Belgium, in Turkey same thing’ – Southampton coach confident Onuachu will end goal drought
New Southampton manager Ivan Juric is sure that Paul Onuachu will overcome his goal drought in the forthcoming matches, after his performance during the 1-0 loss to West Ham United at St Mary’s Stadium on Boxing Day.
The Nigeria national teamer has gone twenty-two matches in all competitions without finding the back of the net since landing at Southampton in January 2023.
Onuachu came in English football with a tremendous reputation as a prolific striker but has failed to produce the goods in a Southampton jersey.
The FC Ebedei product recorded 192 goal involvements (159 goals, 33 assists) with FC Midtjylland and Racing Genk, and scored 17 goals in 25 games during his loan stay at Trabzonspor last season.
Against the Hammers on Thursday, he had a handful of chances to end his goal drought, but he couldn’t capitalize on them, as his headers either flew wide or were saved by the goalie.
Southampton paid the price for failing to convert their opportunities as Jarrod Bowen slammed the ball into the goal to give the visitors the lead against the run of play just before the hour mark.
Speaking post-match, Juric was cited as stating by Daily Echo: “Onuachu scored goals in Belgium every year, 20 goals. In Turkey, it’s the same thing. It’s not the same thing playing in Turkey and Belgium compared to England.
“But it’s not one year when he scored 20 goals. I think that he can accomplish it. What I witnessed in these training sessions, he has his own qualities.
“Long ball, retain the ball, the head is powerful. It’s reasonable that he’s not the quickest player in the world, but in particular games, I believe he can do it well.”
Onuachu fears being demoted from the starting lineup, as Juric has intimated that it could be preferable to play with Cameron Archer or another striker up front in forthcoming games.
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