04 Oct 2009: Roda JC - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

Next!

K.

[aveslacker]

Next!

K.

You seem like you're starting to enjoy yourself again, Ko. Maybe it's time to change your sig?

[Kowalczyk]

You got it.

Yes, I'm starting to enjoy this. We're not brilliant, or top drawer or anything like that. But we're a team. Something's growing. And - more than anything else - I can not describe how happy I am that the days of conceding daft goals appear to be over. Thank God for Vertonghen and Alderweireld, and also for De Zeeuw, who's actually a factor of major importance, defensively.

K.

[aveslacker]

You got it.

Yes, I'm starting to enjoy this. We're not brilliant, or top drawer or anything like that. But we're a team. Something's growing. And - more than anything else - I can not describe how happy I am that the days of conceding daft goals appear to be over. Thank God for Vertonghen and Alderweireld, and also for De Zeeuw, who's actually a factor of major importance, defensively.

K.

Nice sig.

As I said elsewhere, I was against the De Zeeuw signing but couldn't have been more wrong. He's had a huge influence. A strong defensive midfield is a huge help when you have two relatively inexperienced defenders back there.

[Kowalczyk]

Alright then. Let's forget about that shit equalizer in Brussels. Ajax played well, for a European away fixture against a decent opponent they created many chances and the defence did wonderfully well until that one moment. So let's not moan - and beat Roda. Let's just beat them. We don't need six goals or anything. Any win would be just fine. They did us last season (and we don't win there very often anyway) so let's call it 'revenge'.

K.

[saddlerian]

..... if we can keep De Zeeuw and Enoh available for most matches, the midfield will, for once look very secure! Just a pity that the creative element isn't there! Still, as Ko says, it's beginning to look like a team....roll on next home match....it's getting exciting!!

Strange, but there haven't been any negative comments since our two young Belgians took over the centre of the defence.....the only way now, is UP!!!

[saddlerian]

has anyone got a link for today's game!!! ESPN aren't showing it over here, waste of money subscribing!!!

[Van basten]

Mickey as a RM today. Interesting.

[Kowalczyk]

Right then. One change in the line-up, compared to the Anderlecht game: Sulejmani in, Kennedy out. Micky to play from the right. Van der Wiel and Enoh had minor injuries after the game in Brussels, but our fit for this one and in the starting eleven.

By the way: we lost three out of the last league games in Kerkrade, so let's take this seriously!

Go Ajax!

K.

[dws]

has anyone got a link for today's game!!! ESPN aren't showing it over here, waste of money subscribing!!!

http://www.rojadirecta.org/

[NE_Ajax_Fan]

Try sopcast - sop://broker1.sopcast.com:3912/74174

[Kowalczyk]

Two massive chances (and another pretty good one) for Ajax between the 5th and 10th minutes: free passage for Sulejmani (hit the post), an totally unmarked header opportunity for Pantelic (saved by goalkeeper) and another header chance for De Zeeuw (unmarked, but from a difficult angle, therefore wide).

Roda's defence looks very vulnerable. I expect an Ajax goal pretty soon.

Possession after 15 minutes: 64% Ajax, 36% Roda.

Did you know...? that Roda's technical director (Martin van Geel) won two KNVB Cups with Ajax (2006 and 2007), and that Ajax's head-coach (Martin Jol) won the KNVB Cup with Roda (1997)?

K.

[Kowalczyk]

Remarkable line-up. I would call it a 4-4-2, with Suárez and Pantelic as the two forwards, but with a right-footer (Aissati) on the left and a left-footer (Sulejmani) on the right. Oh well, Jol must know what he's doing.

For as long as I can remember, Roda have had physically strong teams with many tall players. This is still the case. Which makes them dangerous on set pieces (free kick in the 18th minute, for example). No fouls near the box please, and no unnecessary corner kicks.

K.

[NE_Ajax_Fan]

Penalty to Ajax!

[Kowalczyk]

It's the opening phase against Anderlecht all over again: good start from Ajax. Chances, chances, chances.

Penalty for Ajax now!

Suddenly a hand ball from De Fauw. Very daft. Perhaps he didn't see the ball, but it was surely a hand ball. Yellow card for him and... 0-1 Suárez! Lovely penalty into the top corner! (24')

K.

[rjf1]

Don't know what Roda were complaining about -- couldn't be more obvious.

[NE_Ajax_Fan]

Goal - what a penalty in the words of Andy Gray "you dont save those!"

[Tom_]

Fucking hell...

[Van basten]

1-1 in one minute..

[NE_Ajax_Fan]

and some rather poor defedning from Ajax and its 1 -1. Deflected shot.

[Kowalczyk]

1-1, straight from kick-off. Good work from Hadouir, nice moves from Sutchuin Djoum, but a very lucky finish (deflection off a defender). 25th minute. 1-1.

This is the first Eredivisie goal Ajax conceded with Vertonghen/Alderweireld in the centre.

K.

[rjf1]

It's last year's deja vu all over again -- does the misery never end?

[Orange14]

No more carom billiards for this team!!!!

[Kowalczyk]

It's last year's deja vu all over again -- does the misery never end?

WTF...?

This was the first goal we conceded in seven league games...

Come on.

K.

[rjf1]

It's last year's deja vu all over again -- does the misery never end?

WTF...?

This was the first goal we conceded in seven league games...

Come on.

K.

It wasn't the goal -- it was the way it was made.