Moussa Niakhate’s long throws have become a “really important” weapon for Nottingham Forest in their fight for survival.
The defender causes havoc in opposition penalty boxes with his ability to launch the ball into the area. And the Reds have been able to take advantage on several occasions.
They did so at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Taiwo Awoniyi’s second goal coming off the back of a Niakhate throw-in. It clinched an important point for Forest in the capital as they drew 2-2 with Chelsea, and head coach Steve Cooper is keen to keep utilising every advantage he can in the bid to beat the drop.
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"The throw-in has become something that is really important for us,” Cooper said. “We've scored from it and created chances from it a few times now. I'm not giving a secret away by mentioning it, because it's there.
"It's not just about throwing it in there and seeing what happens. It's about the strategy around it. In all of the learning which has come with being in the Premier League this year, strategies and attack and defending set-plays and what you come up against is something that is on a massive level as well. I'm just pleased we got the goal.”
The Reds were aware of Niakhate’s throwing ability when he made the move from Mainz last summer, but it is a technique which has only recently come to the fore as he missed seven months of the season with a hamstring injury. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Blues boss Frank Lampard both commented on it after games, with the latter referencing "the long, loopy throw". But Cooper is keen to stress there is a strategy which goes with deploying it.
"There's got to be a technique to the throw, because if the opponent gets the first contact on it you want it to be harder to head away, in terms of distance and where it ends up,” he said. “Brentford have had great success from it this year and have caused all sorts of problems.
"It can be a tactic. If it's one that's working for us, we need to commit to it and not take anything for granted. Like anything, as soon as the ball is in free play, it's about strategy, commitment and hopefully a bit of luck, then, if you get your chances, good technique.”
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