It would be nice if one of the NL providers offers internet-only access. Not holding my breath though. For those who want the games with NL commentary (like me). You can now get access to the four ESPN channels via a Canal Digitaal online-only subscription. This allows you to stream live games and ...

SPL - I said I wouldn’t complain but Bergwijn looked like he got bored halfway through the second half and was just standing and watching. I’m really not a fan either.

Not going to complain about that. Credit to van t’ Schip for setting up with the midfielders sitting tight in front of the defense and not trying to pressure the ball. It definitely helped keep the number of chances down. Henderson also made a big difference. By my count he didn’t give the ball away...

They *are* set up defensively and it’s mostly working. Only the one real chance given away. If they can keep it tight in the second half this game could go either way.

I’m not very hopeful about this game. PSV are good at pressing so if Ajax try to build up from the back they will get themselves into trouble. Our build up play has been awful all season but maybe Henderson will be the difference. I think the best chance would be to set up defensively and play direc...

Me too. He just cuts inside and shoots, and the shots mostly get blocked.

Re Bergwijn, my feeling is that a lot of the attacks that go down the wings don’t produce chances, so it doesn’t really matter who plays there. He’s not a great passer or crosser of the ball. Berghuis can play a decent cross but only cutting inside with his left foot. I think we have had more succes...

I thought it was one of their better games in attack. Add in the usual defensive shambles and you get 4-2, I guess.

Didn’t miss Bergwijn at all, although Forbes looks like he’s trying to drive an F1 car around a crowded car park.

I’ll be very surprised if he benches Henderson for that reason. I see the logic but given how weak the MF is I expect him to play the strongest team.

I watched the highlights, Hato and Ramaj really made a mess on the RKC goal. But for me the scary thing is how easily RKC played the ball through the MF. Tahirovic and Taylor couldn’t stop a chicken from getting a law degree!

He shoots with both feet too. I love seeing that, it makes him so much harder to defend.

I got a crappy stream so not much to say about the game, except that it’s good to see Brobbey keep scoring. I thought his penalty was OK, it was in the corner but the keeper guessed correctly.

We could be within touching distance (21 points) if we win today!

I hope someone at Ajax did some scouting. At 33 it’s possible to be past it physically so I really hope they watched him play before signing him. We will find out soon enough.

Amol schreef:We need a breaker with some passing ability or a deep lying playmaker who can tackle a bit. Alvarez was the first type and Frenkie/Schone were the other type. Currently we have none.

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Agreed!

I reckon most good Ajax teams have had the second type of DMF.

Well I didn’t think this was going to happen for a moment, and now it’s official. My recollection of Henderson is that he’s a strong and physical type of midfielder but not that technical. In theory, not the Ajax type of player, but we could actually use a bit of a presence in the MF. Will be intere...

Just looked at the stats, 23 shots conceded!!!

Not sure how we won that. I hope the whole team are buying drinks for Ramaj right now. Another awful game and the team seems to be playing worse and worse every time I see them. Anyway it’s three really valuable points against the sort of team we have to beat if we want to finish 4th, so I won’t com...

Are we sure he’s going to play DMF? Where did he play at Excelsior?

I’m wondering if he will replace or compete for Taylor’s spot.

Haha, not holding my breath on that one.

Ajax doesn’t have access to established players in the transfer market. If we learned anything in the last 2 seasons surely that’s it! I’m not expecting them to buy their way out of the current problems with the squad.

The second half was so bad. I hope they were just tired from training, otherwise they actually seem to be getting worse.

Good grief

Another awful match. I don’t think they are playing much better at all since Steijn left. They have just been lucky with who their opponents were and the chances being converted.

(I was also going to say that when it was 2–1 and I think PEC’s second goal shouldn’t have counted)

Some times Taylor looks like the best MF in football. When there are no defenders near him! I agree he had a good game today but AEK left a huge amount of room in front of their back line. His only other good match this season was against Vitesse who were 18th at the time. Anyway a relatively easy ...

I am more worried about the defense. Ajax have conceded 12 goals in 5 games so far. I can see AEK sneaking a goal and then hanging on for 1-0 or 1-1.