Semi Ajayi under fire from Neil Warnock for Hull City’s defensive problems

Former Norwich City head coach Neil Warnock has criticised Hull City defender Semi Ajayi for his poor defending against Middlesbrough, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Tigers had lost three of their last five games before heading to the MKM Stadium on Friday, where their woes were compounded as they lost 4-1 to Middlesbrough, led by Kim Hellberg.

Ajayi was guilty of ball-watching on two occasions after he opened his Hull goalscoring account against Stoke City in the match before.

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Neil Warnock hits out at Semi Ajayi

Hull City struggled to remain in the EFL Championship last season, as they finished 21st, scraping through by goal difference.

This season, under head coach Sergej Jakirovic, their fortunes have turned, and they're currently 9th after 19 Championship games, six points off the top four.

Warnock was pleased with the good work that the Bosnian manager has done with the Hull Tigers since the start of the season.

“He's the manager of the season,” Warnock told Sky Sports.

“Before a ball was kicked, if you'd have said Hull were where they are now, you'd have thought Hull had been towards the bottom end.

“He's done a great job to be where they are with the squad he's got. You shouldn't get down, though, the manager, cos he's done a good job getting them.

“If they'd have won, they'd have gone third in the league. That's unbelievable what he's done.”

The former Cardiff City manager was less than complimentary about former Sheffield United defender John Egan and partner Semi Ajayi, for their roles in Boro's goals, suggesting they should have focused more on clearing the ball away rather than trying to play difficult balls out of danger and being caught.

Ex-Brentford player ‘Alex Gilbert' provided a goal and an assist vs Hull City. ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/4Qr1PVXQDo pic.twitter.com/cS1qRYiM36

— J (@lFr4nk) December 5, 2025

“He's talking about natural defenders,” the 77-year-old continued.

“I'm just thinking of the players that I've had under me over the years. When you look at me on YouTube going daft.

“The second goal, he's got to put it in the stand. Every one of the centre halves that's played for me will have laughed at that and said the gaffer will go berserk.

“Put it in the stand; he can't score. He tries to keep it in play. They all think they're Manchester City now, don't they?

Ajayi is primed to be a starter for the Super Eagles at the AFCON 2025 tournament after William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from International Football. Additionally, Benjamin Frederick will also miss the tournament due to a knee injury.