02 Aug 2009: FC Groningen - Ajax

[Over Pasanens Head]

Tough trip to start the season. My prediction - a 2-0 win for the home team

[gordonvandekamp]

Looking forward to the season getting underway. I'd say I'm about as optimistic as last season; new coach who might show some promise, and a squad that still hasn't fixed the holes from the year before. At least the coach hasn't spent this summer at the EC. Hopefully we can avoid any major injuries this season too, seems that's taken an important player out for an extended period each of the last few seasons.

Anyone have the lineup?

I see it looks like de Zeeuw will start, Atoube on the bench, and Enoh is back from injury. All a good sign, I think. This is what I think I'd like to see this season:

Stekelenberg
van der Wiel Wielaert Alderweireld/Oleguer Vertonghen
Enoh/Gabri de Zeeuw Aissati Emanuelson
Suarez Sulejmani/Cvitanich

That and moving either Vertonghen or Atoube to centerback if we look as bad as we have in the last two pre-season games.

[aveslacker]

At least we won't have to worry about Berg.

[Kowalczyk]

No idea where we stand, to be quite honest.

Absolutely no idea.

K.

[Michael_B]

Stekelenburg, De Zeeuw, Suarez and Urby are the only ones sure of a spot in the startin eleven according to the media.

[Rooie]

Selection for tomorrow's game:

Ajax.nl:

Maarten Stekelenburg
Gregory van der Wiel
Jan Vertonghen
Thimothée Atouba
Urby Emanuelson
Miralem Sulejmani
Ismaïl Aissati
Kenneth Vermeer
Bruno Silva
Luis Suarez
Rob Wielaert
Toby Alderweireld
Dario Cvitanich
Eyong Enoh
Vurnon Anita
Dennis Rommedahl
Mitchell Donald
Siem de Jong
Demy de Zeeuw

No Oleguer, Kennedy, Sno, Lindgren, Zeegelaar, Sarpong, Van der Heijden.

[ZoefdeHaas]

I'm guessing a 4-4-2 formation huh? so...:

Stekelenburg

VD Wiel Wielaert Toby Vertonghen

Rommedahl Enoh Aissati Emanuelson

Suraez Sulejmani

[Rooie]

Where is De Zeeuw in your line-up?


It'll probably be like this:

Steek

vd Wiel - Wielaert - Alderweireld - Vertonghen

De Zeeuw

Enoh/Donald Emanuelson

Aissati

Suarez Cvitanich/Sulejmani


If Atouba is fit enough for a starting place we could also see Vertonghen moving to the centre (instead of Wielaert).

[SPL]

Only Gabri and Verhoeven injured so Oleguer and Lindgren look out of favour. Kennedy and Sno no surprise in them missing out. I did wonder last week whether Lindgren would be the defensive midfielder to miss out and with Gabri fit within 2 weeks looks like Rasmus is not going to get much playing time.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Where is De Zeeuw in your line-up?


.

Completely forgot about him. He'll probably replace Enoh. Since Rommedahl has been performing rather well, I'm guessing he'll be playing.

[orange goblin]

A surprise from Jol: no Aissati, he chose for a solid 4-4-2

Opstelling Ajax:
Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Wielaert, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Rommedahl, Enoh, De Zeeuw, Emanuelson; Suarez, Sulejmani.

Wissels Ajax: Vermeer, Atouba, Aissati, Silva, Cvitanich, De Jong, Donald

go guys!

[Tom_]

Well, for the first of 34 times... anyone got a link for the stream?

[Mr_Holte]

Well, for the first of 34 times... anyone got a link for the stream?

http://www.justin.tv/petersport1/old

Not great but OK.

[aveslacker]

Can't believe the season is here again. It seems like it just ended yesterday.

Hup Ajax!

[Ajaxfanuk]

Here we go....with a 4-4-2 Nice!

Here's to a good season everyone!

[Amol]

Well, for the first of 34 times... anyone got a link for the stream?

http://www.justin.tv/petersport1/old

Not great but OK.

This one is pretty good -
http://www.rojadirecta.org/

I selected the NVS - I from the three links which show up.

[Tom_]

Excellent, thanks for that.

Is the NVS link from Rojadirecta choppy for everyone or is there something wrong on my computer?

[Ajaxfanuk]

First defensive error of the day....

[afcajax73]

not got a stream :( so just waiting on sky sports to update lol sad...

[Kowalczyk]

So, this is it:

---------------------- Stekelenburg -----------------------

Van der Wiel ------ Wielaert ------- Alderweireld ---- Vertonghen

Rommedahl ------- Enoh -------- De Zeeuw ------- Emanuelson

-----------------Suarez --------- Sulejmani ----------------

Subs: Vermeer, Atouba, Aissati, Silva, Cvitanich, De Jong, Donald.

Rommedahl a starter, Aissati and Cvitanich on the bench, Oleguer not even in the squad. Remarkable facts.

K.

[Ajaxfanuk]

I hear that!!!
Seems weird rommedahl playing...over Aissati..but BMJ knows what hes doing I hope, I think i would have prefered Cvitanich to Sulej though...
Good on him for giving Alderweireld a chance :D

[Snyde]

I'm watching here: http://www.rojadirecta.com/justin/petersport1

Other's you can check out: http://rojadirecta.com/

Hup Ajax!

[Ajaxfanuk]

Really enjoying Vertonghen and Enoh thus far...De Zeeuw a bit quiet and im still confused and amused that Rommedahl is on, but hes looked relatively bright I suppose

[afcajax73]

when sulejmani can be arsed hes better than cvitanich by a long long way, i think aissati should have started ahead of rommedahl, as he wont last the game, but fair play he did well in pre season so good luck to him..

just for me it would have mad more sence to put on aissati and then rommedahl later when theres some tired legs about

[Ajaxfanuk]

I agree with the Aissati Rommedahl thing..wouldve made much more sense...
As for Sulej vs Cvitanich, ur totally correct, but Imho i could probably count the times Micky has given a toss on one hand :(