Hull City star Semi Ajayi says the club are keen to make their own history, and not spend too much time worrying about what other clubs have achieved.
City‘s impressive start to the Premier League season has seen them take nine points from their opening six games, with just one defeat, and they head to Fulham this weekend looking to move into double figures.
Their start to the new campaign has been likened to how well Sunderland adapted to life following their play-off final win two seasons ago.
In fact, Sunderland did so well on their return to the top flight that they finished seventh and secured a place in the Europa League for the first time, with the Black Cats in Portugal on Thursday to face Torreense.
Ajayi has been fundamental to City’s terrific start, forming a fine partnership alongside experienced Irishman John Egan in the heart of the Tigers’ defence, and along with Nobel Mendy, scored in the terrific 2-0 opening day win over Manchester United.
“It’s been a good start. We’re happy with the work we’ve done so far,” Ajayi told Footy-Africa. “We know we haven’t done anything yet. There’s still a long way to go in the season, but we put ourselves in a really good position to have a positive season, so we’re really happy.
“It was a blessing to score the first goal back in the Premier League, also against a massive team like Manchester United – something I don’t take lightly. It was more important for me, really, that we got the three points and the win, which we did. So yeah, I was pleased.”
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City head to a Fulham side on Saturday that are yet to taste victory in the Premier League and sit bottom of the table with just two points. Despite finding themselves in winning positions in their last games against United and Ipswich Town, the Cottagers have managed to pick up just one point from those two outings, leaving new boss Alvaro Arbeloa under mounting pressure.
For Ajayi, the focus remains on City and trying to avoid a fourth successive game where they’ve conceded at least two goals, after three shut-outs in their first three games.
“It’s just another game that we need to win, and we want to pick up points,” he continued. “Every single game is going to be tough this year. We know that every team plays differently, so we’ll approach that game with a new game plan and try to get as many points as we can.”
There have been no shortage of teams that have come up and survived, but Sunderland qualifying for Europe in their first season back in the top flight has generated plenty of comparisons. But Ajayi wants the Tigers under Sergej Jakirovic to create their own history, doing it their own way.
“We’re not really focused on Sunderland,” he added. “We’re focused on ourselves. We have to do our own thing. We have to be Hull City. Sunderland had an amazing season last season, but it’s down to us to create our own history.”
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