Warnock Slams Ajayi as Hull City’s Defensive Issues Deepen

Former Norwich and Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock has criticised Hull City defender Semi Ajayi for his role in the club’s 4–1 defeat to Middlesbrough on Friday. Hull entered the match having lost three of their previous five games, and the defeat at the MKM Stadium further exposed their defensive struggles.

Ajayi, who recently scored his first Hull goal against Stoke City, was caught ball-watching twice as Kim Hellberg’s Boro took full advantage. Warnock, speaking on Sky Sports, praised Hull’s overall progress this season under Sergej Jakirovic, saying: “He’s the manager of the season… He’s done a great job to be where they are with the squad he’s got.”

However, the 77-year-old was far less forgiving when assessing the defending of Ajayi and John Egan, stressing that they overplayed in dangerous areas instead of clearing their lines. “The second goal, he's got to put it in the stand… Put it in the stand; he can't score,” Warnock said, adding that too many defenders “think they're Manchester City now.”

Ajayi is expected to feature prominently for Nigeria at AFCON 2025 following William Troost-Ekong’s international retirement and Benjamin Frederick’s injury absence.