Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’VE GOT THE POINTS IN BAGG Ajayi says Albion blip is history now
SEMI AJAYI believes points in the bank before West Brom’s recent crash will keep them in enough credit to make it to the Premier League.
The Nigerian defender headed his side’s second goal as Slaven Bilic’s men moved back to the top by ending a slump of seven games without a win.
It’s remarkable that a team in such poor recent form should lead the way but Ajayi believes it only underlines how impressive they were up to Christmas.
“It just shows how good we were at the beginning of the season – that we were able to give ourselves such a cushion,” said Ajayi. “It meant if a run like the one we had did happen, we would still be in a good position. That’s a testament to how good we were before Christmas.
“Winning brings confidence so I’d say maybe confidence had dropped a bit, but we didn’t stop believing. We tried to keep doing the same things and expected the win to come eventually.”
Luton were the perfect opponents for a team looking to take some home comforts.
The Hatters, who have now lost
12 successive away matches, put through their own net via Donervon Daniels’ needless lunge (below) inside 15 minutes.
Luton had chances to equalise and were aggrieved they were denied a penalty when Ayayi sent Pelly-ruddock Mpanzu tumbling under a challenge. But Ayayi, who later wrapped up the win by heading home, insisted: “I don’t think that was anything – just shoulder to shoulder.”
Baggies boss Bilic (below) was relieved to see his side finally win again.
“Of course recent results have affected us,” he said. “They affect every team, even the best teams.”
Even though the Hatters remain seven points from safety with 16 matches left, manager Graeme Jones remains optimistic.
Jones – who was Darren Moore’s assistant when they were shown the door by West Brom last season while sitting fourth – insisted: “I’m not happy with a 2-0 defeat but you have to measure the context of the game.
“We need a bit more belief and conviction from the players at a place like West Brom. But I am sure it will come.”