Disappointed Manager Knocks Super Eagles Defender, Teammates After Wigan Stalemate

Croatian manager Slaven Bilic has told Semi Ajayi and his West Brom teammates to share in his disappointment after the Albions could only manage a 1-1 draw against struggling Wigan on Wednesday evening.

Nigeria international Semi Ajayi played the full 90 minutes but could not help the Baggies maintain their winning run as a Charlie Austin’s goal from a free-kick only earned West Brom a share of the spoils.

The Latics have been winless in their last eight games but took the lead early in the second half when Sam Johnstone tipped a 35-yard Sam Morsy strike onto the post, only for the ball to rebound back off the Baggies keeper and in.

But West Brom levelled shortly after when Austin placed the ball past 10 players on the line after goalkeeper Jamie Jones needlessly picked up a backpass in the box.

Ajayi, who made his 21st league appearance of the season in the encounter, could not add to his three goals scored so far as both sides settled for a draw.

A disappointed Bilić thereafter offered an honest assessment of his team’s display after watching his men surrender their six-game winning streak.

“If somebody had offered us a point before the game – no, not before any game would I take a point,” the Baggies gaffer told West Brom official site.

“We were nowhere near what we have to be. We were slow. We were basically, collectively, as you say in England, it was a bad day at the office and I’m very disappointed with that.

“I told the guys at the end, we are very disappointed, but take this as a blessing. We know we can’t be like this and we didn’t get punished big time. I have to be happy with a point and I am happy with a point because we didn’t deserve more than this.

“Everything looked good yesterday and it was normal preparation. We looked tired and flat and we changed the team because of that but also because of the belief in the players who started.

“As I said, I’m not happy with a point before the game, but definitely – if we look at the game – it was a very good point for us and I have to give the credit to the home side because they were really up for it today.”

The draw knocks West Brom off the summit of the Championship table with Leeds United taking that spot, albeit on goal difference.