04 Oct 2007: Ajax - NK Dinamo Zagreb

AjaxPDX · Bericht door **AjaxPDX** » do okt 04, 2007 9:08 pm

Wow. Not only does the final result hurt, but the performance and play hurts, too. It was obvious who the better team is, and it's definitely not Ajax. Ouch.

bluedaddy19 · Bericht door **bluedaddy19** » do okt 04, 2007 9:16 pm

jeez ENOUGH with the whining!!!

i dont like the result either, but we have practically a full team out injured and winning the title is the only goal for the season that matters one damn bit to me

get with the program and stop crying over our european image!!

first things first if we want to get back to our best, which we all knew wouldnt happen this season anyway

Monkey Tonk · Bericht door **Monkey Tonk** » do okt 04, 2007 9:21 pm

You're wrong. Ajax should have attacked the whole game. As soon as that was the only option we scored twice. Only Ajax can turn a European away victory into a huge disadvantage. Why? Because Ajax gives up its identity by sitting back, and along with that home advantage.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I posted this in the Dutch section before the game. Ajax can not play this way. And TC should absolutely have known. Why be afraid of one goal by Zagreb when you can score five?

There's a Dutch saying: het loon van de angst.' "The reward of the fear'. That's what Ajax got today. Again. Whatever happened to the fearless Ajax?!

Van basten · Bericht door **Van basten** » do okt 04, 2007 9:27 pm

bluedaddy19 schreef: i dont like the result either, but we have practically a full team out injured and winning the title is the only goal for the season that matters one damn bit to me

3 players isn't a practically full team

Cedric · Bericht door **Cedric** » do okt 04, 2007 9:32 pm

3 major players maybe but you can add at least 3 others guys. Anyway, it can't be used as an excuse (again).
This team is just plain crap when it comes to win important games, that's all. Nothing new here, no surprise, so "relax and take it easy"...

Monkey Tonk · Bericht door **Monkey Tonk** » do okt 04, 2007 9:35 pm

This is the math that Ajax doesn't understand:

You go into your home game (1) with a lead from the away game (2).
That's two advantages.

By pressing you can intimidate the opponent, get the crowd into it, and force the decision early. The away goal gives you a cushion that allows you to take some additional risk.

Instead, Ajax defends the away goal, and thereby gives up home advantage. Instead of taking some more risk, they try to lower it. Now the players are out of their element, the crowd doesn't get into the game, and Zagreb understands that Ajax has just given them a 50/50 shot to survive. Why 50/50? Because whoever scores the first goal has the momentum and the edge.

The only positive from tonight? Ajax has delivered absolute proof that Ten Cate needs to go. By scoring twice when they had no other option but to attack. Imagine what a great football night it could have been if Ajax had started out the game like that.

dws · Bericht door **dws** » do okt 04, 2007 9:38 pm

Van basten schreef:
bluedaddy19 schreef: i dont like the result either, but we have practically a full team out injured and winning the title is the only goal for the season that matters one damn bit to me
3 players isn't a practically full team

bluedaddy wouldn't choose for Vermaelen, so that would be only two players missing.

Pretty much agree with his sentiments on the title being the only goal for this season because European success was/is just a pipe dream. However, nothing can excuse tonights shitty display.

Van basten · Bericht door **Van basten** » do okt 04, 2007 9:40 pm

When i will wake up and turn my PC tomorrow, the only thing what will uprise me, would be headline on Ajax.nl - ''Ten Cate is faired!'

Cedric · Bericht door **Cedric** » do okt 04, 2007 9:41 pm

Why fire him if Chelsea can pay ?

SPL · Bericht door **SPL** » do okt 04, 2007 10:51 pm

we all want him out but then who takes over?? cannot say i like Jol but then
he has done a half decent job at Spurs but spending alot of money to come 5th is not great !!

We need an Ajax man who understands the club and what the supporters expect of it.

Our home form in Europe these last 2 seasons have been our weakness.

Winning in Zagreb then losing at home is a joke!!

bryan · Bericht door **bryan** » vr okt 05, 2007 12:20 am

we all want him out but then who takes over??

I don't want him out, I think he's a good manager. Seriously, have a look at the Ajax squad, we're shit.

Van Geel is the man who has some 'splainin to do.

Venezuelan Ajacied · Bericht door **Venezuelan Ajacied** » vr okt 05, 2007 1:25 am

bryan schreef:
we all want him out but then who takes over??
I don't want him out, I think he's a good manager. Seriously, have a look at the Ajax squad, we're shit.

Van Geel is the man who has some 'splainin to do.

Danny Blind could have said the same thing and he got sacked anyway.....

The point is that no matter how you look a it Ajax is not playing up too potencial....when two teams have similar playing ability's its up to the coach to make the diference.....Slavia and Dinamo are two examples off.....TEN Twat has failed in both.

His main problem is that he cant motivate his players.....i see no fire in them....no guts ...nothing......when a coach cant bring out the best in a team then he needs to go......and this is certainly the case.

I dont think Ajax will sack him right now...but he will surely go at the end off the season even if he ends it on a high note....just like his predecesor Danny Blind......

I cant wait for this season to end......

ofey · Bericht door **ofey** » vr okt 05, 2007 2:14 am

So we lose Luque for a month, get knocked out of Europe in a game we actually had a 1-0 away lead. The fault clearly lies with the trainer who has failed.

And what happens?
HTC is rewarded by getting appointed to a role (unknown whether assistant or director of football) at Chelsea with probably a larger pay packet (£2.1 million P.A.). Tell me in which culture is FAILURE to do one's job rewarded financially??

And what happens with Ajax?
We're out of Europe and without a trainer (not that he was any good though).
Someone tell me please that this isn't retribution? OR could this be in some perverse way a blessing in disguise?

Honestly I wouldn't like it if the merry go round went:
HTC -> Chelski
Jol -> Ajax
Mourinho -> Spurs (Though it's clear that can't happen as part of his severance package).

My preferred merry go round is:
HTC-> Chelski
Jol STAYS @ Spurs
Mourinho -> Barca
Rijkaard -> Ajax

I would take European knock out with a smile on my face if that happens. Let's then go for the Eridivisie and the Cup double this season and look forward to next from there... .

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » vr okt 05, 2007 7:00 am

OK, well I stayed in the pub with my work mates rather than going to De Hems to watch this as I had planned.

By the looks of things that was the best decision I made all night. This is just getting all too familiar - what happened to the team I watched score six (admittedly against Venlo) on Sunday??

I also think HTC will/should go but not at all clear who should replace him - I'm not convinced by Jol either....

Van basten · Bericht door **Van basten** » vr okt 05, 2007 7:35 am

We did not expect this’

Ajax are finished in Europe. Dinamo Zagreb were too strong over two matches for Henk en Cate's team. The coach was shocked afterwards. ,,This is killing.”

Ajax came up short after two matches against Dinamo Zagreb. The 1-0 advantage from the match in Zagreb was given away. After overtime, the guests won 2-3 in Amsterdam. ,,We did not expect this'', Ten Cate said. ,,We created chances, but did not convert them. Dinamo did better with their chances. This feels like a real blow, this is killing.” Ajax seemed uncomfortable in the own ArenA. Especially the first half was below par for the home side. ,,It seemed as if there was fear in the team”,Ten Cate said. ,,Nobody dared to play forward.”

After a little over 30 minutes, the teams were level. Gregory van der Wiel fouled Mandzukic and caused a penalty. Captain Modric converted the spot kick. ,,Maybe it wasn't too smart from Greg to search the challenge there'', said Ten Cate. ,,But I don't blame him, because I don't think it was a penalty.''

Ajax started to rebound after an hour. Luis Suarez had some chances, but the South American lacked precision in his finishing. After ninety minutes, overtime was needed. Zagreb wasted very little time. Mandzukic headed in the ball from a cross from the right. And before Ajax could get it together, it was 0-3. It was again Mandzukic who struck.

Ajax went on to play all or nothing (Jaap Stam played up front next to Huntelaar and sub Urzaiz). That resulted in two goals for the Dutch league leaders. Klaas Jan Huntelaar made it 1-3 right away and 2-3 a minute before the final whistle. ,,Ajax came up short today”, Ten Cate said. ,,It's a big blow for us. But I have to make some guys a compliment. Jaap Stam and Hedwiges Maduro for instance. They were not fit anymore, but they kept on going. That was real class.”

Philippe · Bericht door **Philippe** » vr okt 05, 2007 8:15 am

Van basten schreef:We did not expect this’

Ten Cate said. ,,It's a big blow for us. But I have to make some guys a compliment. Jaap Stam and Hedwiges Maduro for instance. They were not fit anymore, but they kept on going. That was real class.”

He must have gone mad.

No compliment for you : get lost !

Manneken Pis · Bericht door **Manneken Pis** » vr okt 05, 2007 9:25 am

"To lose one European qualifier, Mr. Ten Cate, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness!" Lady Bracknell's comment leaving the Amsterdam ArenA last night.......

SPL · Bericht door **SPL** » vr okt 05, 2007 11:39 am

On saying HTC has a shit squad I would point out that he has brought alot of them in .Colin and Urzaiz are not fit to wear Ajax shirts but HTC signed them.Luque is injured straight away just like he was at Newcastle for 2 years.The squad is not good but HTC is to blame.
Blind was poor but as I will always say half the squad he had in 2005/6 were walking out on Bosmans.No coach can perform when half the team are going to walk out for nothing.HTC has no such excuses we lost 3 big names
and he had money to replace them. Colin for Grygera says it all.

Sorry I am going off subject with Blind.

I think Ajax shoud not rush into getting Jol. They should wait and see what happens at Barca as I think Frank will go at season send.

rjf1 · Bericht door **rjf1** » vr okt 05, 2007 1:07 pm

Venezuelan Ajacied schreef: Somethings gotta give......

And I think its the coach.....

It's not just the coach (ok - him, too) it's the board who don't give a crap about what happens with the team on the field just so long as they keep on making money for the investors. Sell off this one -- sell off that one -- bring in second and third tier players because they don't cost that much -- what do they care.

Venezuelan Ajacied · Bericht door **Venezuelan Ajacied** » vr okt 05, 2007 1:13 pm

SPL schreef:On saying HTC has a shit squad I would point out that he has brought alot of them in .Colin and Urzaiz are not fit to wear Ajax shirts but HTC signed them.Luque is injured straight away just like he was at Newcastle for 2 years.The squad is not good but HTC is to blame.
Blind was poor but as I will always say half the squad he had in 2005/6 were walking out on Bosmans.No coach can perform when half the team are going to walk out for nothing.HTC has no such excuses we lost 3 big names
and he had money to replace them. Colin for Grygera says it all.

Sorry I am going off subject with Blind.

I think Ajax shoud not rush into getting Jol. They should wait and see what happens at Barca as I think Frank will go at season send.

its not that simple i mean HTC was Franks asistant....they won the champions league together...people even used too say that the mastermind behind that Barcelona team was Henk and not Frank.....i think both coaches are good coaches when they have good players...but they suck ay making players over achieve.....i would go with Co.....Van Basten or Ron Jans......

ZoefdeHaas · Bericht door **ZoefdeHaas** » vr okt 05, 2007 1:26 pm

I dont know whats more funny: my sad prediction that we'd have a brilliant win, or the fact that Dinamo players said they'll finish the job in AMsDam BEFORE the Zagreb game.

Either way I'm laughing my ass off, at HTC and his folks

AJAX 4 LIFE.

ally7th · Bericht door **ally7th** » za okt 06, 2007 10:00 am

rjf1 schreef:
Venezuelan Ajacied schreef: Somethings gotta give......

And I think its the coach.....
It's not just the coach (ok - him, too) it's the board who don't give a crap about what happens with the team on the field just so long as they keep on making money for the investors. Sell off this one -- sell off that one -- bring in second and third tier players because they don't cost that much -- what do they care.

sums it up really
I mean why bring in players that have sat on the bench at teams that are considered 3rd rate?
to me it seams like the board have no ambition.

JohnyAjax · Bericht door **JohnyAjax** » wo okt 10, 2007 6:35 pm

Would be glad to see the match report for this one... should be interesting

And sorry for once again proving the naughty boy who is always asking for match reports....

04 Oct 2007: Ajax - NK Dinamo Zagreb

*SHOCKED*

SHOCKED