29 Apr 2007: Willem II - Ajax

[Cedric]

We played a team that had nothing left to play for
K.

That's true but on the pitch, it was not at all I think...

But I completely agree with the rest and especially that 'pattern'. Did Ajax do something about that 'mental issue" btw ?

[ZoefdeHaas]

Whatever Ajax did wrong we have the "right" to bitch about it. I mean this is Ajax not ADO. We have a proud history, and high standards. Not performing well in the past fucking decade is something no Ajax fan can handle. Ajax did fuck up, but so is the leagues system. I think its time for a change for both league and club next season, so we can stop this fruitless run.

[acab]

As has already been noted this is purely our own fault for screwing up....

Having said that, my son was very suspicious of P$V's "easy" goals in their game. Maybe he's lived in Belgium too long.....maybe not......

absolutly agree!! did enyone notice vitesse goalkeeper? he looked like he had money in his hands and didn't want to thow it and catch the ball. just look the 3,4,and 5-ft goal. laecherlich!!!!

[Kowalczyk]

Whatever Ajax did wrong we have the "right" to bitch about it. I mean this is Ajax not ADO. We have a proud history, and high standards.

That's definitely true and I see your point.

But... there is a subtle difference between being self-critical and being blatantly negative.

We want to be the best in The Netherlands and - within reason - we want to compete with the best internationally. That's what we demand. We're Ajax and we won't settle for less. And if the team don't live up to our expectations, we will moan. Players who can't handle that are kindly advised not to join our club. If they do they won't 'survive'.

But sometimes, just every once in a while, it is good to see things in perspective, rather than continuously moan in a non-constructive way. This season we had the same number of points as the champions of The Netherlands and we crashed out of Europe against (at the time) the league leaders of the German Bundesliga.

Yes, I know: Copenhagen, Excelsior, RKC away, etcetera. 100% true. Feel free to moan about it. You're right. That was piss-poor. But hey: same number of points as PSV and crashed out of Europe against Werder Bremen on one poxy away goal... It's not like we're absolute garbage or something...

Frustration and disappointment are human emotions, but an intelligent human being will recognize those emotions - and not immediately start yelling things like: "The structure of the league must change! And the rules of the game! And the youth system! And the formation! And the management! Everybody must be fired! Hang 'em high!"

Come on: it's not that terrible...

K.

[Philippe]

we crashed out of Europe against (at the time) the league leaders of the German Bundesliga. crashed out of Europe against Werder Bremen on one poxy away goal... It's not like we're absolute garbage or something...
K.

as far as I know, Werder Bremen are now number 3 in the Bundesliga (I know it's elections time, but let's try and be objective).
As a matter of fact, we were ridiculous in the CL preliminary round, and in the UEFA cup including the group stage.

We did ok in the Dutch league, but missed the title.

We are Ajax and can't be satisfied with all this.

So let's not miss the cup and the play-offs.

[DanK]

...
Frustration and disappointment are human emotions, but an intelligent human being will recognize those emotions - and not immediately start yelling things like: "The structure of the league must change! And the rules of the game! And the youth system! And the formation! And the management! Everybody must be fired! Hang 'em high!"
...

K.

Truer words were never spoken...nice one mate!

[Kowalczyk]

as far as I know, Werder Bremen are now number 3 in the Bundesliga.

I wrote that they were the league leaders at the time (when we played them). But even if they weren't: they're a top side from the German Bundesliga, which is a bigger and better league than the Dutch Eredivisie. A top side from The Netherlands can lose to a top side from Germany. That can happen. Nothing to be ashamed of.

We are Ajax and can't be satisfied with all this.

That's exactly what I said, too. My post was just an attempt to put things into perspective, which is sometimes necessary in times when everybody is yelling that everything is shit. Which it isn't. We have a very good football team. Which doesn't mean that we shouldn't aim for improvement.

K.

[Harm]

[Philippe]

I wrote that they were the league leaders at the time (when we played them). But even if they weren't: they're a top side from the German Bundesliga, which is a bigger and better league than the Dutch Eredivisie. A top side from The Netherlands can lose to a top side from Germany. That can happen. Nothing to be ashamed of.
K.

In my opinion this is totally irrelevant. A German top club, so we don't have to be ashamed to lose ? Incredible argument. We are Ajax and therefore supposed to be a top club at european level. No matter where our opponents come from, or which league they belong to, we are supposed to beat them.

And of course, being sacked from the CL preliminary round was a shame.

Being sacked from the UEFA cup, so early, after a very mediocre group phase was a shame.

But if I get your point we will have to cross our fingers next season not to be paired with a club from Germany, Spain, Italy, England …

I suggest we become more ambitious again and stop looking for pathetic excuses.

[AjaxPDX]

If you're only ever going to be happy if you think Ajax is supposed to win everything all the time and be the best team in Europe every year, you might as well just go ahead and jump off a bridge now and get it over with, because you're facing 99% unhappiness in your future football supporting days.

I suggest we stop ignoring common sense, and become a little more rational in our discussions.

[Philippe]

If you're only ever going to be happy if you think Ajax is supposed to win everything

I wouldn't mind if we won something, still better than nothing

[Kowalczyk]

Just like the Ajax team, our Ajax USA match reporter needed a few days to recover from last weekend's disaster, but here is his report:

http://www.ajax-usa.com/matches/m06-07/ ... -line.html

The author is our very good friend Gordon, a.k.a. jamcocteau. Cheers for that, mate.

K.

[Over Pasanens Head]

Just like the Ajax team, our Ajax USA match reporter needed a few days to recover from last weekend's disaster, but here is his report:

http://www.ajax-usa.com/matches/m06-07/ ... -line.html

The author is our very good friend Gordon, a.k.a. jamcocteau. Cheers for that, mate.

K.

That is one hell of a great report Gordon :00000639.gif: