18 Mar 2012: ADO Den Haag - Ajax

[Orange14]

Never thought I would say it, "inspired genius from Theo Janssen!" Good finish from Lukoki.

[rjf1]

I guess now we know why Janssen is on the field. Finally a meaningful pass and a nicely taken goal.

[Tom_]

Ha! Great finish, with his right foot too... but why didn't he play it across?!?!

[rjf1]

Patented Verthongen run and goal!

[Van basten]

El Capitano!

[rjf1]

Totally unnecessary yellow for Janssen.

[SPL]

so far I am enjoying this.

[rjf1]

Lukoki is giving them fits -- we haven't had that dimension since Rommedahl left.

[ajaxcolombia]

just when janssen has recovered his form of old, he is banned from playing one of the most crucial games all season. the only bad thing about today.

[Tom_]

I thought we moved the ball well today. In the first half Özbiliz and Aisatti were killing our attacks with their poor crosses and lack of penetration, but having Lukoki on the right in the second half made a big difference. He was able to beat his man quite often but his crossing could be better. I thought Theo actually played OK today.

I've been wondering for the last several weeks how much our 'midfield' problems could be caused by our lack of targets and penetration up front. If we can move the ball this well in the midfield with our first-choice front three (Boerrigter, Sigthórssen and someone), we might actually create some more chances.

[SPL]

really liked Lukoki today superb pace and what a great goal by him .Vertonghen also another great goal. Everyone played well especially Janssen .Really do not want to see V Rhijn dropped when V d Wiel is fit (V d Wiel will leave this summer so leave him on the bench)

Well playing 10 men made it easier but we only strated with 1 forward,Ozbiliz. Lukoki and Bulykin should start next week and Aissati may take Janssen's place as he is suspended.

I think we are on top at present on GD

[Orange14]

Looks like ADO's next match will be behind closed doors. Really bad behavior on the part of the supporters in the closing minutes of the match. Decent enough 2nd half to get the two goals and keep the clean sheet. Janssen did us a favor by picking up a yellow card so he misses the PSV match next week and FdB will not need to worry about the midfield now. Sublime play by Vertonghen on the second goal; we should ask for €20M in transfer fee this summer!

Player ratings:

Vermeer (8) - despite the supporter's votes, he is my MOTM; made two outstanding plays and every easy play to keep the clean sheet
Koppers (5) - poor on defense today and subbed off at half because of it
Vertonghen (8) - just another outstanding match and well taken goal to cement the win
Alderweireld (6) - somewhat below average game today and silly yellow card early in the first half
van Rhijn (7) - with every passing week I think that maybe he should be the NT right back, he is getting to be that good; lock him up with a long term contract
Anita (7) - a couple of glitches in his game today but generally controlled the midfield
Janssen (7) - one great pass but that was about it
Eriksen (7) - some outstanding passes that should have led to something better
Ozbiliz (5) - below average performance, he needs to learn where his outlet pass is because he's always dribbling into 2 or 3 men
de Jong (6) - really should have scored when he got the ball behind everyone
Aisatti (6) - OK performance but needs to do much better
Lukoki (7) - stayed wide and ADO defenders could not cope with his speed
Blind (7) - didn't need to do any defending which allowed him to go forward well
Bulykin (6) - didn't cause us or ADO any problems

The team needed to do what had to be done prior to the PSV match. They have put pressure on all the five teams that were ahead of them when the stretch run began. PSV at home should be a good match and we'll see whether the change in Managers has solved PSV's problems (I think not since their defense is in shambles).

[Van basten]

I'm glad Toby didn't get his second yellow in the end.
P.S. What happened with Lukoki?

[ajaxcolombia]

Janssen did more than just one pass. he was distributing outstandingly today and did well on the defensive side too. he deserves a little more credit.

[Orange14]

Janssen did more than just one pass. he was distributing outstandingly today and did well on the defensive side too. he deserves a little more credit.

I wish you could point me to one defensive play he made today. I you watch the match and focus only on Janssen, you see a player who mainly stands in one place and moves no more than a couple of meters in either direction. The only salvation is that ADO was down to 10 players early in the match otherwise we would have had trouble breaking them down. It was only after they were spent playing 10 against 11 and Lukoki came on and stayed out wide that things began to open up. Sorry, for me Janssen was a waste of €s and not good enough to play as a starter.

[rjf1]

It looked like someone in the stands threw something that hit him (Lukoki). And I have to disagree about Janssen -- IMO he had a very decent match. One thing he brings is experience and maturity which you need to balance out the youth -- especially now that the pressure is cranking up higher with each game.

[Kowalczyk]

Janssen did more than just one pass. he was distributing outstandingly today and did well on the defensive side too. he deserves a little more credit.

Yes. 100% agreed. Also, the yellow card that he got (which will cost him the PSV game) was correctly given by the referee, but I don't think Theo was being stupid. It was a bit of an unfortunate collision, after a bad pass from somebody else. Theo could hardly avoid it. Unfortunate, but correct decision by the referee.

By the way...

The ADO fans, you gotta love 'em... 'Monkey noises' for Anita, 'Jews to the gas' chants throughout, loads of stuff being thrown onto the pitch (Lukoki was actually hit by something) and plenty of fouls that only really frustrated, stupid people can make (Boussaboun, 'elbow' from Rad????vic or whatever his name is).

KNVB prosecutor, I hope you noticed it all. Do your thing, please.

K.

[Kowalczyk]

Now, let's watch Twente vs Feyenoord and PSV vs Heerenveen. Luxury. Nice one.

K.

[ajaxcolombia]

Janssen did more than just one pass. he was distributing outstandingly today and did well on the defensive side too. he deserves a little more credit.

I wish you could point me to one defensive play he made today. I you watch the match and focus only on Janssen, you see a player who mainly stands in one place and moves no more than a couple of meters in either direction. The only salvation is that ADO was down to 10 players early in the match otherwise we would have had trouble breaking them down. It was only after they were spent playing 10 against 11 and Lukoki came on and stayed out wide that things began to open up. Sorry, for me Janssen was a waste of €s and not good enough to play as a starter.

On more than one opportunity Janssen was defending on the left flank and even inside our box. For example, when he pushed aside an ADO player to get the ball out. again, i believe his passing was outstanding. even if it was 11 against 10, many sides struggle against numerically disadvantaged teams. ajax still had to go out there and make it count and Janssen helped out in that. I still agree he has been a dissapointment, but he did well today.

[SPL]

Have to agree with Columbia's comments regards Janssen. Orange and I clearly think similar about V Rhijn. If he plays every game for the rest of the season and continues to improve he will be very near to the Dutch squad for Euro. If Ajax lose him it would be a crime as I think he will be better than V d Wiel in time.

[Ayman]

In the PSV 1-0 Heerenveen game, so far Erik Pieters and Ola Toivanen picked up a yellow card. Does this mean either or both will miss the game against Ajax?

[Rooie]

No, Marcelo and Mertens would be though.

[kezme44]

f-word just did us a huge favor

[SPL]

Twente losing is great news .They play de Graafschap this week in their game in hand which should be an easy win so defeat today was great news.

[Orange14]

Destiny is "almost" in our own hands. We still need a slip up by AZ but if Ajax go out committed the remainder of the way things will fall into place. Hard to figure out if the sacking of Rutten had anything to do with PSV's performance today since it was a home match and Heerenveen don't travel very well.