The number nine was jeered when his name was read out against QPR, and he was unable to win the crowd over with his performance during the 3-1 defeat at the King Power Stadium
Jordan Ayew on the ball during Leicester City’s win over Bristol City(Image: Pro Sports Images)
Opinions from the stands will not sway Gary Rowett in his team selection, the Leicester City manager has said after striker Jordan Ayew was targeted by boos.
The number nine has become the focus of City supporters’ frustration in recent outings, his languid style perceived by sections of the fanbase to be a lack of effort, and with the 34-year-old rarely a goal threat.
Ayew’s name was jeered by supporters inside the King Power Stadium when the line-ups were read out prior to kick-off last Saturday, and he did not win over fans during his hour on the pitch, supporters cheering when he was substituted in the second half.
But, ahead of City’s trip to Watford on Saturday afternoon, Rowett said that reaction towards Ayew will not at all affect his plans.
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The manager said: “I appreciate the help our fans have given us in the games I’ve seen. Bristol City was fantastic, we were all talking about how great the atmosphere was late on.
“But as a manager, I can’t let things affect my decisions unless they’re my opinion or something I see. I’ve been here six games, not all season, so I’m not going to let that feeling affect the way that I pick a team or decide who starts. I think that’s really simple for me.
“Jordan’s like a lot of the players. At the moment, when we’re not performing to the level we want to be performing, there are always going to be bits of disgruntlement.
“It’s up to everyone, not just Jordan, regardless of their age and experience, to perform to a level everyone is pleased with and that helps us win games of football.”
Ayew has started City’s last two games, and while he was decent against Bristol City, he was barely involved against QPR, touching the ball 11 times, and not once during his 15 minutes in the second half.
Plus, he seemed to sit off QPR’s Ronnie Edwards for the visitors’ opening goal, allowing the centre-backs all the time he needed to loft a pass over the City defence.
Rowett added: “I’m not getting into the narrative of each player in each moment. Everyone will have an opinion on certain moments. I don’t think it’s fair to isolate different players and say what they should have done differently in those moments.
“The instructions we give the players, we want them to carry them out as best as they can. Occasionally in games, players see things and players make good decisions and we perhaps don’t talk about those often enough.
“I don’t want to get into the weeds of each moment and what players should and shouldn’t do.”
Patson Daka is Ayew’s main rival for the striker shirt, and scored on his last start, the 1-1 draw at Ipswich. With City away from home again on Saturday, the Zambian will have a good chance of returning to the starting line-up.
Alternatives up front are Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Divine Mukasa, with both having played as a striker at other clubs.
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