Paul Onuachu: Trabzonspor coach reacts to striker’s goalless streak – “Nobody knows”

Super Eagles striker Paul Ebere Onuachu is still searching for his first goal of the new season, with Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tekke urging supporters to show patience with the Nigerian striker, Soccernet.ng reports.

Onuachu started Trabzonspor's second league game of the campaign against Istanbul Basaksehir on Sunday as Tekke's side secured a 2-1 victory.

The Nigerian forward, however, failed to get on the scoresheet, extending his wait for a competitive goal after returning to Trabzonspor during the summer.

The goalless streak extends to the pre-season games the Turkish side played, meaning the lanky striker has not found the back of the net in seven games.

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Fatih Tekke backs Paul Onuachu

His goalless start has already raised eyebrows, but Tekke was quick to defend his striker after the match, insisting that Onuachu cannot be judged on just two games.

The coach also pointed to Onuachu's contribution to Trabzonspor last season, when the towering striker scored 26 goals and played a major role in the club's Turkish Cup victory, stating that the contribution should not suddenly be forgotten because of a slow start to the new season.

“If we are talking about the Europa League today, Paul scored 26 goals for us. Don't we see something wrong with that?” Tekke said in quotes revealed by Karadeniz Gazete.

The Trabzonspor boss also questioned why Onuachu was already facing scrutiny after only a handful of appearances and training sessions.

“Let's be patient with Paul too. Even if he plays badly for two games, he's showing this performance after only three training sessions,” the 48-year-old continued.

“Three training sessions. Nobody knows what happens in those.

“The player who goes out there is not a robot. These people have emotions; they have problems,” the Trabzonspor coach outlined.

While defending his striker, the former Bursaspor coach also offered an insight into an aspect of Onuachu's game that he believes has improved.

“I said it last year as well; sometimes he was making very simple ball losses. When that happened less in the last game, it was much better for Paul,” Tekke explained.

“He will start scoring. Did he score? He will start scoring; he is going to.

“But Paul, I mean, doesn't this boy deserve applause? Therefore, our situation is good,” he said.

For now, Onuachu's priority will be to turn that backing into goals. The former Southampton striker has already turned down offers from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.