18 DEC Ajax - PSV Match Day 17

[King Litti]

Ok, there he did well

[Orange14]

All the good work Klaassen has done is up in smoke as he totally loses Siem who slots home the tying goal.

[Amol]

UGH!

Siem still getting the same goals. Deep run from mid field with no one tracking him.

[rjf1]

Blow off half a dozen chances that should have been goals and you deserve what you get.

[rjf1]

Ziyech blows it again. What a waste.

[Ayman]

Ajax seem to be dipping in form, winter break coming in at the right time, I would be happy with a draw. PSV's defense is weak, the strongest link being Jetro Willems. Their midfield is decent, but again the weakest link is Siem de Jong. They won their first game in ages, last weekend, are they ending their poor form? Who know's.

Prediction: Ajax Amsterdam 1-1 PSV Eindhoven

YaY got it spot on. In my mind I predicted Klaassen and Luuk de Jong the scorers. That was close. Btw Onana isn't a very commanding goal keeper

[Ayman]

Where the hell was Sanchez when Siem was through on goal and scored?

[SPL]

Well both sides had chances. They had 3 good headers that should have gone in but Cassierra with 3 or 4 chances not good enough.Younes played better in the 2nd half but sadly Cerny was just not in the game. i was pleased to see de Ligt come on. Other than Sanchez he is the best central defender in the club and when he plays regularly will be better.Midfield was decent today and we looked good but our scoring record is just plain poor.

Dont see PSV finishing 1st but unless we spend some money we could finish 3rd

We need a left back a quality winger and someone like Huntelaar

[saddlerian]

Well, fair result in the end! Klaassen the hero, Klaassen the culprit....God, did he let de Jong free for that equaliser!!! 5 points behind Rotterdam now....they must start competing properly...that INCLUDE Ziyech who, despite doing some good things, is a little light on his feet...the play acting has to stop...including you, Mr Dolberg!!!!

[Orange14]

Totally disappointing result. There can be no complaints about the effort given by the players; hard work all match long. Two awful plays first by Schöne and then by Klaassen who let Siem de Jong in on goal. The first attempt on goal was prevented and the second was not so Ajax ends up with a 1-1 draw despite outplaying PSV in all aspects. Cassierra should have done better with his attempts but he worked hard the whole while having to come on first for el Ghazi and then moving on into the middle when Dolberg's thigh would not loosen up. Instead of keeping pace with Feyenoord, Ajax go into the winter break down five points and probably an insurmountable goal difference of 12.

Player Ratings:

Onana (7.5) - had two very difficult saves to make and made them as well as coming out of the goal to sweep away some danger
Sinkgraven (7) - good match from him today
Riedewald (7.5) - had some very nice interventions and clearances
Sanchez (7) - good game but two very silly and potential dangerous turnovers
Veltman (7.5) - defended well and moved up into the attack with purpose
Schöne (6) - totally lost de Jong but Riedewald saved the day and he noticeably tired down the stretch
Klaassen (7) - was having a great day until he fell asleep and let his predecessor as captain tie the game
Ziyech (4.5) - had to step up and justify the transfer fee instead we get a most disappointing game and a stupid dive in the box
Younes (5.5) - tried to lay the ball off and it almost worked on a couple of occasions
Dolberg (NR) - hurt early from a Guardado knee to his thigh and had to come off
el Ghazi (NR) - took a vicious and dirty hit to his kidney area from Guardado who wasn't carded and had to leave the match
Cassierra (5) - some would score him lower but he ran hard and found openings where he could get the ball to shoot; unfortunately the final product wasn't there
Cerny (4.5) - way too many turnovers
de Ligt (NR) - on late for Cerny and really had only one touch

Ajax off on winter break and then will regroup in Portugal for training and a friendly against Leipzig who stand 2nd in the Bundesliga. Back to league play against PEC Zwolle in mid January.

[SPL]

The refereee was just utter rubbish .When we play PSV and Fword in the 2nd half of the season I hope he is not in charge.

[Orange14]

The refereee was just utter rubbish .When we play PSV and Fword in the 2nd half of the season I hope he is not in charge.

We have had van Boekel for other games and he was fine. He's one of the better young Dutch match officials and has been appointed a FIFA referee. I believe he has done some EL matches. Despite all of that, this was not one of his better days.

[SPL]

Oranges ratings sum up my comments regards attack.Cerny and Cassierra are still not ready and need more Jong games.Younes a bit better 2nd half but is struggling. We actually need 2 good wingers, we dont have one at present.