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Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi played a key role as West Bromwich Albion extended their unbeaten streak to nine games in the Sky Bet Championship this term with an impressive 2-0 away win against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, reports Completesports.com.
It was Ajayi’s ninth league appearance for the Baggies albeit he has scored twice for the club.
The versatile player has played every minute of West Brom’s league games following his arrival from Rotherham United this summer.
Queen Park Rangers paraded their Nigerian-born forward, Ebere Eze in the game.
Eze started the game and was replaced by another Nigerian-born player, Bright Osayi-Samuel 20 minutes from time.
Nathan Ferguson and Matheus Perreira scored both goals for Slaven Bilics’ men in the game.
The Baggies moved to top spot ahead of Nottingham Forest who defeated Stoke City 3- 2 on Friday following the win.
By Adeboye Amosu
5 Comments
I watched this game from the blast of the whistle till the end! and what I have to say is this…
Semi Ajayi is a God-sent gift to the Super Eagles. How England never noticed this gem before we snapped him up still marvels me. He had countless interceptions in the game, loads of accurate passes and the QPR No.9 was rendered clueless all through, No Thanks to SEMI AJAYI..lol. Going forward for every corner QPR conceded, the QPR players certainly has noticed his aerial prowess and made sure they kept at least 2 players with him in the box. He was a joy to watch all through. No wonder Bilic has kept faith with him since he joined the Club. Starting him against Brazil is the ideal thing people! Coach Gernot Rohr should either start him with OMERUO/Ekong. He shouldn’t be benched for any!
As for Ebere Eze of QPR, He didn’t offer much in the game till he was rightly substituted for another Anglo Nigerian, Bright Osayi Samuel. Though I can’t fault his performance because his team were pressed hard by there opponent and they hardly had time to attack West Brom but at the wake of the Second half, He fought for the ball and showed a glimpse of his quality with accurate passes and successful dribbles. I noticed one thing with him again and that is His Excellent ability to DISPOSSES opponent. When he started fighting for the ball himself cuz he saw his team was practically dead. He won almost all the balls he chased for. But his Overall play wasn’t too convincing. The TRUTH guys is If he is invited to the Super Eagles, he will just come and make IWOBI step up his game cuz he’s a good AMF too…No doubt but He is not, I repeat…He(Eze) can’t be compared to what IWOBI offers in that Middle. He can only offer good competition in the team thereby making him up his game too.
Yep, I watched the game all 90+4minutes too and your notes @Chairmanfemi is on point. Semi was solid and assured at the back. A man mountain kind of.
With Omeruo and Awaziem also putting in great shifts in the Granada Vs Leganes match in the La Liga, it’s soothing to know the SE backline is really starting to get sorted (except goalkeeping). Add Ekong and Aina playing regularly in their club’s starting 11 in Serie A, and it’s easy to understand why the clamour for Chelsea’s Tomori is not so loud as it is for players for the middle and forward guards. Tomori’s addition to the SE will be a major coup, nonetheless.
As for Ebere Eze in the WBA Vs QPR game in the EFL, I was slightly disappointed. His deft moves and passes, during the few times he got the ball, no doubt underlined his good skills, but his work rate is below average. He wasn’t really fighting for the ball or trying to get into dangerous areas in the 18. He was something like a lazy version of Okocha – Skilled but not willing to stress himself to get the ball. That was one difference I noticed watching Peter Olayinka. And I suppose that’s one small detail Rohr keeps an eye out for. You must be a hardworker in addition to being talented.
One game is not enough to rate a player with.
@Bishop, True one game isn’t enough to judge a player but it is no longer new that SEMI AJAYI has been like that since Last season at Rotterham United and even beyond. So what we saw today again is a testament of his true qualities again. Solid and Brilliant defender. As for Eberechi Eze, the hype about him for the Eagles No. 10 role made me book that match and what I saw wasn’t an Eagles material at all.
@Kel, you truly watch the match man. Correct analysis. Eze’s work rate was just below par. He kept on moving round waiting for the ball to come to him…Amazing! Well, I look forward to another match of Eze to see if that is his true self
I have being following Semi Ajayi since when he was at Rotherham and he is a good player !!!
He decision to play for Nigeria SE is a blessing we must clearly appreciate !!
Semi reminds me of Seyi Olofinjana when he plays as a defensive midfielder and like the late Uche Okafor when he starred in the central defense position..,no-nonsense and purposeful play !!
He will only but get better !!!
***sheer class ***