Total Football, 4-3-3 & The Cruijff Legacy
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Total Football, 4-3-3 & The Cruijff Legacy
Tradition is a double-edged sword. On on the one hand it can be inspirational, on the other hand it can lead to stagnation. Ajax know this problem more than most, and in recent years have suffered from it.
The legacy of Cruyff, total football and the 4-3-3 formation is so deeply imbedded in Ajax culture that it is at risk of becoming more of a limitation than an asset. All Ajax coaches in recent years have struggled with the need to uphold an impossibly perfect style of football with a group a players who have never quite reached the standard.
The failure of Ajax in European competition in recent years highlights this even further. The best teams in Europe are highly physical, quick, strong, discliplined and technical. At times it has seemed like Ajax have been trying to play through brick walls in European games, completely unable to impose themselves, and then left exposed on the counter-attack.
If Ajax continue to try to follow the impossible example of the Golden Generation, while selling our best players and buying in second rate bench-warmers, then this trend of European downfall will continue.
Ajax have every right to be proud of their history, and the fans have every right to expect entertaining football. But until the coaches realise that pragmatism is a must in modern day football Ajax will continue to beaten by teams whos tactical knowledge extends past the 1970s.
Should Ajax always play 4-3-3 no matter who the opposition is or which players are available?
Should the youth system be revised to produce a better variety of footballers, not just focusing on 'technique'?
Should the formation dictate the players or the players dictate the formation?
Is the 'Ajax brand' of Total Football even relevant in the modern European game?
Can Ajax ever hope to produce another Golden Generation, and keep them long enough to be successful?
The legacy of Cruyff, total football and the 4-3-3 formation is so deeply imbedded in Ajax culture that it is at risk of becoming more of a limitation than an asset. All Ajax coaches in recent years have struggled with the need to uphold an impossibly perfect style of football with a group a players who have never quite reached the standard.
The failure of Ajax in European competition in recent years highlights this even further. The best teams in Europe are highly physical, quick, strong, discliplined and technical. At times it has seemed like Ajax have been trying to play through brick walls in European games, completely unable to impose themselves, and then left exposed on the counter-attack.
If Ajax continue to try to follow the impossible example of the Golden Generation, while selling our best players and buying in second rate bench-warmers, then this trend of European downfall will continue.
Ajax have every right to be proud of their history, and the fans have every right to expect entertaining football. But until the coaches realise that pragmatism is a must in modern day football Ajax will continue to beaten by teams whos tactical knowledge extends past the 1970s.
Should Ajax always play 4-3-3 no matter who the opposition is or which players are available?
Should the youth system be revised to produce a better variety of footballers, not just focusing on 'technique'?
Should the formation dictate the players or the players dictate the formation?
Is the 'Ajax brand' of Total Football even relevant in the modern European game?
Can Ajax ever hope to produce another Golden Generation, and keep them long enough to be successful?
Cruijff was a great player, but I've never bought into the whole "Cruijff legacy." The way his influence on Ajax during the 70s gets talked up in the media does a disservice to the other great players who were in that team, like Neeskens, Haan, Krol, Vasovic, Keizer and Suurbier. These are exactly the types of players we could do with at the moment, more so than a Cruijff type possibly.
So much emphasis is placed on Cruyff that the staff and the fans have become obsessed with buying wingers and number 10s, forgetting the grafters that formed the backbone of the team in the 70s.
So much emphasis is placed on Cruyff that the staff and the fans have become obsessed with buying wingers and number 10s, forgetting the grafters that formed the backbone of the team in the 70s.
Yes, but not in the overly romantic way the media misremembers it, is what I'd say.Is the 'Ajax brand' of Total Football even relevant in the modern European game?
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Bryan makes an important point.
Much is made of the golden age Ajax team in the media and on sites like this, but in truth they didn't necesarily play the romantic, free-flowing football that history attributes to them. If you look at the line up in the late 60's through to '73 when it all collapsed, yes there were some flair players but there were a lot of well-'ard bastards too. Guys who would take your legs away if you tried to get past them.
Modern Ajax is hampered by chasing an impossible dream of recreating a style of football that never actually existed.
***
As far as the formation goes I believe Ajax need to be more flexible. There is no one superior system, the ideal football formation is contextual. Your formation in any one game should be based on a variety of factors, a) the strengths and weaknesses of those players you have available that day, b) the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, c) whether you are playing home or away d) the league situation at that time etc etc.
An over-reliance on 4-3-3 hampers Ajax coaches, they feel duty bound to play that system when clearly sometimes 4-2-4 or 4-5-1 would be more appropriate. Pressure is applied by the club, the fans, the media, and Cruijff himself with all that incomprehensible talk of "without 4-3-3 you have no triangles - and without triangles you have no football" and all that balonie.
Ajax needs a coach with the guts and strength of character to resist that pressure.
Much is made of the golden age Ajax team in the media and on sites like this, but in truth they didn't necesarily play the romantic, free-flowing football that history attributes to them. If you look at the line up in the late 60's through to '73 when it all collapsed, yes there were some flair players but there were a lot of well-'ard bastards too. Guys who would take your legs away if you tried to get past them.
Modern Ajax is hampered by chasing an impossible dream of recreating a style of football that never actually existed.
***
As far as the formation goes I believe Ajax need to be more flexible. There is no one superior system, the ideal football formation is contextual. Your formation in any one game should be based on a variety of factors, a) the strengths and weaknesses of those players you have available that day, b) the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, c) whether you are playing home or away d) the league situation at that time etc etc.
An over-reliance on 4-3-3 hampers Ajax coaches, they feel duty bound to play that system when clearly sometimes 4-2-4 or 4-5-1 would be more appropriate. Pressure is applied by the club, the fans, the media, and Cruijff himself with all that incomprehensible talk of "without 4-3-3 you have no triangles - and without triangles you have no football" and all that balonie.
Ajax needs a coach with the guts and strength of character to resist that pressure.
I'm with kopite, bryan and The Purple cow
If the players can't perform in the chosen system what do you do - dump the players or find a way of playing that suits them?
Last season Van Gaal very quickly concluded that AZ did not have the players to play 4-3-3, he settled on a 4-4-2 and very nearly won the Eredivisie with a side that played some beautiful football.
As Bill Clinton might have put it: It's the players, stupid.

If the players can't perform in the chosen system what do you do - dump the players or find a way of playing that suits them?
Last season Van Gaal very quickly concluded that AZ did not have the players to play 4-3-3, he settled on a 4-4-2 and very nearly won the Eredivisie with a side that played some beautiful football.
As Bill Clinton might have put it: It's the players, stupid.
Laatst gewijzigd door dws op vr aug 31, 2007 5:17 pm, 1 keer totaal gewijzigd.
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- bluedaddy19
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- bluedaddy19
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bryan schreef:for me it's not about formation, but about the media-driven direction the club has chosen to take\. ajax believe's it's own hype. we need chuck d in goal. he'd do better than stekkers anyway.
again... what the hell does stekelenburg have to do with a 4-3-3 discussion?
get therapy, dude
AJAX HUP ROOD WITTE SCHARE, DAPP RE STRIJDERS FIER EN KOEN
GEEN CLUB DIE ONS KAN EVENAREN, ROOD EN WIT WORDT KAMPIOEN
GEEN CLUB DIE ONS KAN EVENAREN, ROOD EN WIT WORDT KAMPIOEN
- aveslacker
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I have been bangin on about this for some time now,but we must seriously consider going to 3-5-2.I have posted before about the advantages of this system and wont bore you again with it.4-3-3 works fine with Cruyff and Van Basten in the team but for f***s sake we now have Jurgen Colin.The debacle of Prague is a very very low point and we need some major surgery pretty quick,where to start?theres so much to do.Having seen most of the games so far this season either live or on TV I would rate the players so far-
Stekks-For someone so F***in big how come he isnt in the way of more shots
Colin-Seems to be struggleing with the step down from Norwich reserves
Stam-The only bright spot.I loved the bit where he had the guy on the floor and just kept kicking him
Vermaelen-Gauranteed to make at least one major mistake every game,especially if its a CL play off game.
Urby-Possibly short sighted,should get down to Specsavers
Jonny-Always gets stuck in,cant fault his effort
Kennedy-Some nice touches,looks ok apart from that ridiculious haircut,shave it off mate,bald is beautiful.
KJH-If this guy is worth 30m Euros Im a F***in Dutchman.Not involved,always diving,never stops whingeing.Can be out of the game completly for 89 minutes then pops up and misses an open goal.Maybe he can score against lowly Dutch teams but never able against better quality opposition.Sell him now split the money between the fans and lets all get pissed.
Wesley-Class act,we will miss him.Snce he has gone theres a F***in big hole in midfield that nobody else has stepped into.
Rommedhal-Very quick.Should consider quitting football and take up athletics,would be ideal for the 100 meters.
Edgar Manchuryan-Never actully seen him,does he really exist or is he some kind of tax dodge.
Delorge(aka envelope)We need to start having a whip round quick.
Gabri-Very sweaty
Suarez-Looks ok so far,give us time and we will soon have him down at our level.
Finally,Ten Cate.He may be from the Eagles but he is startin to look like a real turkey.
Anyway,Im over for the game on Sunday and I cant wait,I love it........
Stekks-For someone so F***in big how come he isnt in the way of more shots
Colin-Seems to be struggleing with the step down from Norwich reserves
Stam-The only bright spot.I loved the bit where he had the guy on the floor and just kept kicking him
Vermaelen-Gauranteed to make at least one major mistake every game,especially if its a CL play off game.
Urby-Possibly short sighted,should get down to Specsavers
Jonny-Always gets stuck in,cant fault his effort
Kennedy-Some nice touches,looks ok apart from that ridiculious haircut,shave it off mate,bald is beautiful.
KJH-If this guy is worth 30m Euros Im a F***in Dutchman.Not involved,always diving,never stops whingeing.Can be out of the game completly for 89 minutes then pops up and misses an open goal.Maybe he can score against lowly Dutch teams but never able against better quality opposition.Sell him now split the money between the fans and lets all get pissed.
Wesley-Class act,we will miss him.Snce he has gone theres a F***in big hole in midfield that nobody else has stepped into.
Rommedhal-Very quick.Should consider quitting football and take up athletics,would be ideal for the 100 meters.
Edgar Manchuryan-Never actully seen him,does he really exist or is he some kind of tax dodge.
Delorge(aka envelope)We need to start having a whip round quick.
Gabri-Very sweaty
Suarez-Looks ok so far,give us time and we will soon have him down at our level.
Finally,Ten Cate.He may be from the Eagles but he is startin to look like a real turkey.
Anyway,Im over for the game on Sunday and I cant wait,I love it........
Don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.....
Honestly , I could give a FLYING FUCK about formations. Play whatever it takes to be successful. Or find the players , whatever nation they come from , who will . Just win baby! Unless I'm missing something , I can't find a column for style points anywhere in the table.
"Buy the ticket, take the ride".
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"Our albums are junk"
Keith Moon
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"Our albums are junk"
Keith Moon
- ZoefdeHaas
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Today in the ArenA Vak 410 displayed a banner which said 'Tegen Het Moderne Voetbal' (against modern football).
Surely this is missing the point? The problem isn't that Ajax are playing modern football, the problem is that they're trying to play 1970s football and doing it badly.
I know Ajax fans demand to be entertained, and fair enough, but I dont see what this has to do with 'modern football'. Liverpool play modern football, and look at their match with Derby this weekend. We destroyed them 6-0, playing with pace, flair, imagination, speed, strength and class. I'm sure Ajax fans would be delighted if Ajax could play this kind of modern football. They certainly should be.
Surely this is missing the point? The problem isn't that Ajax are playing modern football, the problem is that they're trying to play 1970s football and doing it badly.
I know Ajax fans demand to be entertained, and fair enough, but I dont see what this has to do with 'modern football'. Liverpool play modern football, and look at their match with Derby this weekend. We destroyed them 6-0, playing with pace, flair, imagination, speed, strength and class. I'm sure Ajax fans would be delighted if Ajax could play this kind of modern football. They certainly should be.
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It's you that needs therapy, did you not see Stekk's blunders today?bluedaddy19 schreef:bryan schreef:for me it's not about formation, but about the media-driven direction the club has chosen to take\. ajax believe's it's own hype. we need chuck d in goal. he'd do better than stekkers anyway.
again... what the hell does stekelenburg have to do with a 4-3-3 discussion?
get therapy, dude
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Today footbal is more physically oriented (more running, acceleration, jumping, physical strength, muscles) and players should be phisically strong to compete in best leagues. Drogba has become a lot tougher during his Chelsea-time and top defeners should look like terminators (i.e. Alex) . It looks like Ajax forgot about this and try to win only with tecniques and winger-tactics, which is known to everyone.
- Kowalczyk
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The funny thing is...
The 'Golden Ajax' of the 1970s and the Oranje of '74 were offensive teams, yes, but what made them unbeatable was the fact that almost all of the players were physically strong and absolutely ruthless tacklers. They were butchers. Some of them total psychos (like Neeskens).
Opponents were afraid of players like Suurbier, Krol, Hulshoff, Neeskens, Haan and even Vasovic. That's what made Ajax so great and that's why the creative ones (Cruijff, Keizer, Gerrie Mühren, Swart) had the opportunity to show what they were capable of.
It wasn't all about style, is my point.
Apart from their football qualities, there was something artistic and intellectual about the Ajax gang of the early 1970s, but something very streetwise as well. They were cool as fuck. Long hair, golden chains, chewing gum and a certain attitude, a look on those faces. They were the rockstars of football at the time, they didn't give a shit and I think it was that what made people (even non-Dutchies) fall in love with them.
The failure of today's Ajax has nothing to do with the system or anything like that. Compared to the Golden Ajax we lack a list of things:
1. superior football talent
2. ruthlessness
3. an aura of invincibility
In other words: we miss pretty much everything it takes *LOL*.
K.
The 'Golden Ajax' of the 1970s and the Oranje of '74 were offensive teams, yes, but what made them unbeatable was the fact that almost all of the players were physically strong and absolutely ruthless tacklers. They were butchers. Some of them total psychos (like Neeskens).
Opponents were afraid of players like Suurbier, Krol, Hulshoff, Neeskens, Haan and even Vasovic. That's what made Ajax so great and that's why the creative ones (Cruijff, Keizer, Gerrie Mühren, Swart) had the opportunity to show what they were capable of.
It wasn't all about style, is my point.
Apart from their football qualities, there was something artistic and intellectual about the Ajax gang of the early 1970s, but something very streetwise as well. They were cool as fuck. Long hair, golden chains, chewing gum and a certain attitude, a look on those faces. They were the rockstars of football at the time, they didn't give a shit and I think it was that what made people (even non-Dutchies) fall in love with them.
The failure of today's Ajax has nothing to do with the system or anything like that. Compared to the Golden Ajax we lack a list of things:
1. superior football talent
2. ruthlessness
3. an aura of invincibility
In other words: we miss pretty much everything it takes *LOL*.
K.
Still alive...
exactly, total football means being able to defend together as well as being able to attack together. and as you say, neeskens and co were hard as nails when it came to defending.
cruijff never bothered with the whole defending thing though, so you never hear him emphasize it. i've no problems with ajax consulting cruijff on football matters, i just wish they'd consult neeskens and krol as well.
cruijff never bothered with the whole defending thing though, so you never hear him emphasize it. i've no problems with ajax consulting cruijff on football matters, i just wish they'd consult neeskens and krol as well.
- ZoefdeHaas
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Agreed. From the footage I've seen, the likes of Arie Haan and Neeskens would have kicked your face wide open if needed. Now just look at our players... Damn, precious little talentless show ponies.Kowalczyk schreef:The funny thing is...
The 'Golden Ajax' of the 1970s and the Oranje of '74 were offensive teams, yes, but what made them unbeatable was the fact that almost all of the players were physically strong and absolutely ruthless tacklers. They were butchers. Some of them total psychos (like Neeskens).
Opponents were afraid of players like Suurbier, Krol, Hulshoff, Neeskens, Haan and even Vasovic. That's what made Ajax so great and that's why the creative ones (Cruijff, Keizer, Gerrie Mühren, Swart) had the opportunity to show what they were capable of.
It wasn't all about style, is my point.
meh :|
- headercase
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- ofey
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Ajax, the long and short of it...
Has anyone read the Ajax Long Term plan 2006-2011?
The goals are:
1) To become national champion once every 2 years
So here's to being Champions this season! We missed out last year by a point but this year no more excuses, else the goal set by the board will NOT be met.
2) To belong to the best 16 football clubs of Europe
Unlikely that we're going to be part of the best 25 even this year NOR last. We're not in the group stages of the Champions League so here's to next season... .
We have that badge of honour our sleeve with the number 4 on it but we're not even where Celtic and Rangers are... .
3) To achieve an annual turnover growth of 5-6 per cent.
With the €27million raked in from Sneijder and €14million from Babel, I'm sure we're meeting our targets for this season despite the Champions League KO.
Now let's analyse the underlying values:
1) Ajax inspires and captures their fans worldwide
Current players and approach the club is hardly inspiring me 17500km away.
2) Ajax wins with attacking, creative and dominant football
Win? No wins in the last two, didn't even come close to attacking, creative NOR dominant football.
3) Ajax has a professional top-sports climate with its unique youth academy
This one is debatable but for the sake of the team I love, I'll let it go.
4) Ajax guarantees continuity through a healthy enterprise culture linked to its historical club culture
So out with VanDerVaart, DeJong, Babel, Sneijder. Who's coming through now?
Vertongen is NOWHERE ready. Maduro is not stepping up and Emmanuelson is going through a Mid life crisis of sorts.
Those coming back? Davids is croaked and at the rate we're going, NO ONE wants to come back to Ajax. If this goes on, in 6-8 yrs time when Chivu, Ibrahimovic, VdV and co. are winding down their careers, you think they're going to want to come back here?
Continuity? My balls... .
5) Ajax actively takes their social responsibility
Ahhh bahhhh. Ajax is ruining my social life! I have nothing to talk about with other football fans anymore!!
It's not over-reaction. If something isn't done soon, we're going to go the way of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
The goals are:
1) To become national champion once every 2 years
So here's to being Champions this season! We missed out last year by a point but this year no more excuses, else the goal set by the board will NOT be met.
2) To belong to the best 16 football clubs of Europe
Unlikely that we're going to be part of the best 25 even this year NOR last. We're not in the group stages of the Champions League so here's to next season... .
We have that badge of honour our sleeve with the number 4 on it but we're not even where Celtic and Rangers are... .
3) To achieve an annual turnover growth of 5-6 per cent.
With the €27million raked in from Sneijder and €14million from Babel, I'm sure we're meeting our targets for this season despite the Champions League KO.
Now let's analyse the underlying values:
1) Ajax inspires and captures their fans worldwide
Current players and approach the club is hardly inspiring me 17500km away.
2) Ajax wins with attacking, creative and dominant football
Win? No wins in the last two, didn't even come close to attacking, creative NOR dominant football.
3) Ajax has a professional top-sports climate with its unique youth academy
This one is debatable but for the sake of the team I love, I'll let it go.
4) Ajax guarantees continuity through a healthy enterprise culture linked to its historical club culture
So out with VanDerVaart, DeJong, Babel, Sneijder. Who's coming through now?
Vertongen is NOWHERE ready. Maduro is not stepping up and Emmanuelson is going through a Mid life crisis of sorts.
Those coming back? Davids is croaked and at the rate we're going, NO ONE wants to come back to Ajax. If this goes on, in 6-8 yrs time when Chivu, Ibrahimovic, VdV and co. are winding down their careers, you think they're going to want to come back here?
Continuity? My balls... .
5) Ajax actively takes their social responsibility
Ahhh bahhhh. Ajax is ruining my social life! I have nothing to talk about with other football fans anymore!!
It's not over-reaction. If something isn't done soon, we're going to go the way of Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
AJACIED