Semi Ajayi must be brought on and underperforming Cedric Kipre hooked in second half of West Brom v Birmingham
You can totally understand why Carlos Corberan was reticent to start the fit-again Semi Ajayi from the start for West Brom at Birmingham City on Friday (6 October).
The centre-back missed the 4-0 rout of previously unbeaten Preston North End with an ankle injury, and was an unused substitute as the Baggies defeated rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at The Hawthorns on Tuesday (3 October).
Corberan’s caution makes sense, the last thing he can afford right now is to lose another key man to injury with Jeremy Sarmiento, Josh Maja and Adam Reach among those on the sidelines as it stands.
But, the Spanish boss must think about introducing Ajayi to the fray for the second half of the Midlands showdown at St Andrews after what occurred in the first half.
John Swift had swept West Brom into an early lead with his sixth goal from seven shots on target in the Championship this season and the visitors were looking extremely comfortable.
That is until the 23rd minute when Cedric Kipre was adjudged to have fouled Koji Miyoshi in the penalty area, allowing Juninho Bacuna the chance to level proceedings from 12 yards.
Alright, admittedly, it looked like an extremely soft decision, and Corberan and the Baggies faithful have every right to be absolutely fuming about a call that quelled the early momentum they had built up.
But Kipre had already lost the ball in the build-up to the flash point, and with his reputation as a defender with a gaffe in him, it would be foolhardy for him to remain on the pitch for the second half when the Baggies are chasing a third straight league win.
Moreover, Kipre had lost possession seven times (SofaScore) during the first half, and his defensive header that eventually led to former Wolves defender Dion Sanderson – who was completely unmarked – heading Birmingham in front was not exactly the strongest either.
The penalty incident completely changed the complexion of the game, and the time is definitely right for Ajayi to be brought back into the fold and Kipre to be hooked at the break.
In other West Brom news, one pundit says the Baggies must now be considered as serious play-off contenders.