The Nigerian international was almost impossible in Slaven Bilic’s last game, and will have an impact under Baggies’ new rule
For Semi Ajayi, the last five days have been a real movement of activity.
On Tuesday, the senior defender scored his first ever Premier League goal, swimming on the edge of the box and pushing an end farther than Ederson, to earn a truly infamous draw for West Bromwich Albion against Manchester City at the Etihad. Just 24 hours later, Ajayi’s new manager was holding the whistle between tight lips and tapping the whip in training.
Okay, okay … so, his ‘goal’ was given as his own goal in the end, and his finish was considered a slip just before someone City defender Ruben Dias against him past his own keeper.
So there were already rumors about a possible sack for Slaven Bilic, meaning Sam Allardyce ‘s installation on Wednesday would not have come as a big surprise.
These cats take away almost a week which can be very important.
To events at the Etihad first. Often, when Pep Guardiola’s men are detained (especially with weaker opponents), their own outcome and appeal can be questioned. Tuesday night’s story was different, though: City were discovering their creative bandwidth, making fashion openings and firing a bullet after being redundant. Along the way was a dog-proof defense operation, led by Ajayi who threw himself in the way of everything and sent off several deliveries into the box.
The little thing that crept through the search for Sam Johnstone in inspiring form.
It was an achievement that certainly answered the doubts about his ability at the top of the Premier League.
The Baggies have the worst defensive record in the region, and by the way Ajayi has a fair share of iffy displays; from getting the run with Harvey Barnes on opening day, to turning calmly with Richarlison, to being caught out of position by Patrick Van Aanholt, to scoring past the man- will save himself in a loss to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.
This latest display against City also seemed to indicate that his failures may have contributed more to unemployment across the team.
Putting more emphasis on firmness may have been his best tour of the season so far, and it’s also good for Allardyce’s future.
The former England captain, against his stronger objections, is largely a relegation expert, marching into dangerous ground and leading teams out of the brush by any means necessary. That often involves an emphasis on shape and defensive control, as well as increasing set pieces. The least risk, just about enough reward to avoid the downside.
Ajayi has now shown that it fits within the type of low block that comes to explain Baggies’ escape claim, but at the other end, he could prove just as influential.
Last season, the Nigeria international scored five goals in the Championship for West Bromwich while earning an automatic promotion.
For the most part, these came to fruition through set pieces, Ajayi rising strongly against defenses at the far post to devastating impact.
It’s part of his game that hasn’t translated to the Premier League so far, despite the Throstles having scored three goals from this season’s set pieces – more than seven other teams.
Under Allardyce, that could have changed; he is, after all, the only manager to keep Sunderland up in 2015/16 by scoring more set goals than any other side in the league, which has led to Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United scary expectations from dead balls.
Under England’s vice-captain, the likes of Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye and Abdoulaye Meite have made serious threats against penalty areas, and Ajayi appears to be on the verge of joining that club.
The 27-year-old will no doubt settle for Bilic’s departure, as he was a pounded Croatian manager, signing him from Rotherham United who were relegated at the end of the 2018/19 Championship season. It’s under Bilic that Arsenal’s youthful debut that looked like a real actor has begun, and the time of his release will come as a surprise.
However, Ajayi won’t have much time to stay on: on Sunday, the Baggies will welcome Aston Villa at a high level, just the kind of team that Allardyce will desperately like. Another positive outcome would mark the beginning of a new capability.