25 Nov 2012: Roda JC - Ajax

[Tom_]

P.S. that's probably an own goal isn't it? Looked like Schøne's shot was going into outer space!

[souras84]

It's a pity for their GK
BUT I DON'T GIVE A SHIT

now the hardest part!!! KEEPING THE VICTORY

[rjf1]

Substitutions return dividends -- Schone scores the second.

[Amol]

Substitutions return dividends -- Schone scores the second.

Totally agree. Wielaert came on when they were up 1-0.

[souras84]

OMG Blind is fucking tireless (if only he didn't make mistakes)

[Tom_]

Well, I know we should've scored more especially in the first half. But I think we worked hard to break down a team that dug in in the second half and deserved the win

[SPL]

yes we dug in and worked hard and got the win we deserved. Fischer looked better when he came into the middle but Eriksen had a good game and finally scored.

[paladinby]

De Boer needs to find a way to incorporate Schone in starting 11. We are a more whole team with him on the pitch and he perfectly fills the gap between defence and attack when it comes to moving ball forward.

Boerrigter shouldn't be on the right wing.

[souras84]

Playing a false 9 tactic requires:

1) Moving the ball around the final third easily
2) Creating space for players running into the opposite area

If not, moving the ball to the wings isn't good. So, either play as Barcelona where the wingers get into the area very close to the GK area or drop it.
Dropping it means we need a proper striker to move as Hoesen did or Kobi, when he was playing

[Orange14]

The club showed resilience today coming from a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1. Good to see such a bounce back after the Dortmund match in midweek. Again a lot of possession but at least we were getting the ball up into the attacking third. Very hard fought match and it was good to see the pressure finally cause Roda to break. I still question some of FdB's moves in terms of selection and substitution but a win is a win and we cannot be too picky these days. Eriksen had a very fine match and Hoesen finally gives us an option at the striker position.

Player Ratings:

Vermeer (7) - had very little to do all match long
Blind (6) - decent match aside from the terrible give away that gave Roda the lead
Moisander (7) - very good match today, solid on defense and when the club was down brought the ball up nicely, his entry pass led to the first goal
Alderwiereld (6) - blunder in the first half was saved by a wild shot by the Roda player, hope his knock is not a problem
van Rhijn (6.5) - better match today than in the past couple, showing more confidence going forward
Poulsen (6) - OK and nothing more, doesn't offer any options on offense
Eriksen (7.5) - probably his best match of the season, all over the field and strong on the ball
de Jong (7) - solid match but wonder if he should have finished one of the chances he had
Fischer (6.5) - great pass to Eriksen but too weak on the ball resulting in give aways, positionally aware of what is going on
Hoesen (6.5) - good holding the ball up and does have an idea of what to do when he has the ball
Boerrigter (5.5) - just cannot play on the right side at all, I think we are seeing his final matches for Ajax this season
Veltman (6.5) - calm and cool coming in for Alderwiereld
Schöne (7) - maybe he cannot play 90 minutes but the minutes he does play are all high quality, constantly driving the team forward
Lukoki (6) - some poor touches when he come on late

PSV up next week. We are likely to go in as the underdog but with no midweek CL nonsense to contend with the team should be rested.

[SPL]

still not sure what our forward line should be.Boerrigter should not play on the right but Fischer is not a real winger and came into the middle more and looked a lot better.Hoesen worked hard and held the ball up well . De Jong is the problem he is not good enough in midfield and is not a proper striker.Anyway we won and thats the main thing but next week will be tough with the lightbulbers.

[Kowalczyk]

Opening phase was quite poor, but all in all I thought Ajax played quite well, second half especially. Plenty of chances. It just took 'em a while (understatement...) to score. Well-deserved win. Not that bad after all.

K.

[Orange14]

still not sure what our forward line should be.Boerrigter should not play on the right but Fischer is not a real winger and came into the middle more and looked a lot better.Hoesen worked hard and held the ball up well . De Jong is the problem he is not good enough in midfield and is not a proper striker.

I don't think de Boer does either. Agree with all of your points though I did think de Jong was much better today. The trouble is that in the absence of Anita we don't have anyone who drives the team forward other than Schöne when he's in there; Poulsen is just not trusted by the the central defenders (or may even de Boer who doesn't want the ball played up the middle to him). Maybe Boccara or Sporkslede is the answer here in the future.

[SPL]

yes Siem was a lot better today but my comment was a general one about him.

[Amol]

Just noticed that Philips lost to Vitesse today. We're only 6 points off the top now.

[Philippe]

Nice fighting spirit.