14 OCT 2017 Ajax - Sparta Match Day 8

[Orange14]

The WC qualifying is over and the Dutch NT came up short. They defeated Sweden but not by enough to overcome the goal differential. No injuries reported for any of the Ajax players who were on international duty. Wöber saw action as a starter for Austria and Dolberg came on late for Denmark. Ziyech is playing again for Morocco and they have a qualifying match to go through in November to see if they can make it to Russia.

Saturday match this week, hosting Sparta. Ajax need to continue to refine the midfield and play positive football. PSV now top the table and are away to surprising VVV. Only 3 points separate the next seven teams.

[Orange14]

Sinkgraven is on the team sheet for tomorrow!! We will probably see Wöber and Viergever on the left side of the back line. Keizer said Huntelaar and Neres will start up front.

[SPL]

Dijks dropped, Lamprou for V Leer ,who is slightly injured.

[SPL]

Just come in from watching my local team so barely got time to get a cup of tea! Same side that started v Heerenveen.

Last game in the Amsterdam Arena ,next game it will be the Johan Cruiff Arena.Nice 1 minute applause for the recently deceased Mayor of Amsterdam.

[SPL]

Finally a goal ,flicked in by de LIgt

[SPL]

Goal was an OG but at least we are 1 up at HT .Plenty of possession with them playing 9 in defence.We need to get that 2nd asap as we can be caught on the counter.

[Amol]

Finally a goal ,flicked in by de LIgt

It was 'kneed' in by one of the Sparta players. Our kids are getting pushed and kicked on their ankles all through the game. Also, it seems like they're just going through the motions.

Is it just me, or can everyone see a distinct lack of happiness compared to last season?

[SPL]

Probably being out of Europe and not having a great start in the league may suggest lack of happiness. Put some wins together is all they need.

[SPL]

2-0 and another OG,

[Amol]

Another Sparta OG.

[SPL]

N\ow that was a really good goal by Neres. Siem on for Donny

[Amol]

Finally an Ajax player scored.

3-0!!

[SPL]

4-0 and not sure who that came off.

[Amol]

Another deflection for 4-0! Finally the boys are smiling.

[SPL]

Younes credited with the goal

[SPL]

Well a comfortable win in the end and but for their goalie it would have been 8 or 9-0 Sorry old Dolberg misses a penalty,his luck is really out.

No real bad performances by our side still dont know why we need Siem de Jong. Frenkie and Justin Kluivert both played 2 full games for Jong Oranje in the last week so I guess they were not going to get action today.

Next up fword, will be very tough but we go in with 2 x4-0 wins .

[Orange14]

One of these days this team will score eight goals but today was not that day. Lots of golden chances but a lack of clinical finishing snuffed some of them out. Sparta really never threatened at all and Ajax dictated the match. There was some lovely combination passing, probably too much on occasion when a selfish shot might have done better.

Player Ratings:

Onana (6) - had almost nothing to do as there was not a single hard shot on frame
Viergever (6.5) - decent enough match
Wöber (6.5) - didn't have much defending to do and maybe he's the starter going forward
de Ligt (7) - good game and when there was an open field in front of him he took the ball into it
Veltman (6.5) - was caught up field one time but otherwise OK
Schöne (7) - controlled the back part of the midfield
van de Beek (6) - just an OK match
Ziyech (7.5) - some wonderful passing and ball handling, this is the player who needs to play at this level every week
Younes (7) - got the nice deflection off the Ziyech shot and had a good all around game
Huntelaar (6) - really should have done better on the break away, the Hunter of old would have put it away
Neres (8) - MOTM, excellent on the ball and wonderful passing
S de Jong (6) - had one hard shot that was deflected
Dolberg (4) - if you step up for the PK, bury it in the back of the net; he didn't
Sinkgraven (5.5) - on late for the first time since the knee injury

Next week a trip to Rotterdam!!!!!!

[SPL]

Neres and Ziyech our 2 best players,Ziyech was MOM at the ground. Agree Huntelaar should have buried that on the breakaway

[Tom_]

Maybe the best match I’ve seen Ziyech play for Ajax. Passed well, and most of all, didn’t shoot! I think his first shot was around the 75th minute. He’s a dangerous passer but a terrible shot, so it’s good news if he plays like that every week.