16 Nov 2008: Ajax - PSV

[Kowalczyk]

Oh man... It would be so great if we beat them. I really, really want to defend a lead in 2009, rather than having to chase someone (which was always our fate in recent years).

Twente away, PSV at home, AZ away... If we can get results in those three, it's starting to look good... The Twente result was fantastic (with eleven players missing); now let's get this job done.

By the way: this weekend we play Sparta at home, whereas PSV play NEC in Nijmegen. That's a tough fixture for them. It's a very good thing that NEC have no UEFA Cup game this week (they have this matchday off in their group). It would be absolutely fantastic if PSV lose over there. If that happens (and we beat Sparta) they will be four points behind when they come to Amsterdam - and then we can really hit them hard.

K.

[Cedric]

It's the month to destroy PSV for a year : NEC away, AZ away (cup), Ajax away, Heracles home, Atletico away, Heerenveen away.

It is indeed really important to beat them at home, no matter how. Last win in the Arena against them was in 2004...

[DanK]

Can't wait. Will see you all there.

[saddlerian]

We'll be there, Dan! I should be in town the night before...if all goes ok!

[Over Pasanens Head]

We'll be there, Dan! I should be in town the night before...if all goes ok!

If all goes well I will be there on the morning of the game. If it all goes wrong I will arrive after the game is finished but in time for the after-match tipple.

[saddlerian]

Well KLM have already made it more difficult for me to join the after match tipple...flight back is now just after 5......so only time for 4-5 beers, (or in Ray's case, 14-15 beers )

[Blind3]

With no KJH, the defense and midfield d will really need to show up for this match. :hupajax.gif: DEE Fence , clap-clap-clap, DEE Fence.

[saddlerian]

OK. Just doing a roll call: Anyone fancy a game on Sunday? Must be able to play football for 90 minutes without getting injured.

If you're OK with that, contact MVB .... he's a little short of a team for a fairly important kick about on Sunday afternoon.

Free oranges at Half Time...and possibly a cup of hot chocolate at the end.

Any volunteers??

[Kowalczyk]

We have to think of something. Sno was terrible at Volendam. Perhaps a 4-4-2 with Suárez and Leonardo upfront. Leonardo had a few nice runs in Volendam. Definitely showed lots more than Zeegelaar did.

Fair chance we'll be without Vermaelen as well...

------------------------ Vermeer -------------------------------

Silva ---------- Oleguer ----- Van der Wiel -------- Vertonghen.

Gabri ---------- De Jong ------- Lindgren --------- Emanuelson

------------------ Suárez -------- Leonardo --------------------


Something like that?

Reserves: Vonk, Sno, Anita, Sarpong, Kennedy, Rommedahl, Alderweireld (?).

K.

[saddlerian]

Is there no-one else in the Reserves who can hold a ball up like KJH? It doesn't matter how old they are...you normally find that a "young" teenager can become a star overnight in a big game like Sunday's!

[Kowalczyk]

This would be the 'worst case scenario' (Uby still injured, Vermaelen and Oleguer out due to the minor injuries they picked up in Volendam).


--------------------------- Vermeer --------------------------

Silva ----------- Van der Wiel ----- Vertonghen ------ Schilder

----- Enoh ---------------- Gabri ------------- Lindgren ------

--- Kennedy ------------ Suarez -------------- Leonardo ------


As someone pointed out in the Dutch zone: for a 'worst case scenario' line-up this isn't even that bad...

The 'best case scenario' would be: full recovery for Urby, no serious injuries for Vermaelen and Oleguer, and Sulejmani fit enough for one half as a sub.

K.

[Orange14]

We may have to play the same kind of grind it out football that was in evidence at Twente. In all my years, I have never seen such injury problems with any team that I have followed. this will be the real test of MVB.

[Philippe]

:ajax.gif:

[jackson]

Which team would win: Our current 11 or our injured 11?

[saddlerian]

IDEA !!!

If we play our injured 11, then it doesn't matter if they get injured again and have to come off! We've also got an excuse in case we lose!!!

BRILLIANT!!! That'll solve out injury crisis....unless the 3 subs, who'll obviously be needed...fall foul of the Ajax curse!!!

(I'm taking my boots with me...might be worth it!)

[SPL]

Hard to see Martina staying with us after January and with Zeegelaar getting in ahead of Gossens, will he look to go (he has still played more reserve games as a winger this season). This Volendam game was surely the time to play these 2 plus Anita and Alderweireld.

Would MVB risk Manucharyan who survived 90 mins for the reserves the other night!! That probably is the most stupid suggestion !!!!!!!!

Otherwise why not give Bodul a chance.

[Cedric]

This Volendam game was surely the time to play these 2 plus Anita and Alderweireld.

Martina, Goossens and Alderweireld played a whole game only 2 days before. That may be one of the reason they didn't played or wasn't in the selection.


It still not clear if Emanuelson, Oleguer and Vermaelen will be able to play on Sunday according to Ajax.nl.

[SPL]

They would not have played Monday if they were to be picked for Volendam
but that is now irrelevant.

[Van basten]

So what about Oleguer, Vermaelen and Urby? Anyone of them will be fit for sunday?

[Kowalczyk]

So what about Oleguer, Vermaelen and Urby? Anyone of them will be fit for sunday?

Yes. Oleguer and Urby, according to Ajax.nl. Don't count on Vermaelen, tho...

More team news: Sulejmani has been declared fit, but it is unlikely that he will play from the start. Eyong Enoh, on the other hand, will probably play from the first minute.

Finally, Marco van Basten has admitted that the forward line against Volendam was "not a great success" and that he will try something different against PSV.

K.

[FlaFlu]

My sources tell me that Vermaelen has a good chance of being declared fit enough for Sunday.

[aveslacker]

So what about Oleguer, Vermaelen and Urby? Anyone of them will be fit for sunday?

Yes. Oleguer and Urby, according to Ajax.nl. Don't count on Vermaelen, tho...

More team news: Sulejmani has been declared fit, but it is unlikely that he will play from the start. Eyong Enoh, on the other hand, will probably play from the first minute.

Finally, Marco van Basten has admitted that the forward line against Volendam was "not a great success" and that he will try something different against PSV.

K.

That's actually pretty encouraging. I have a better feeling about this now.

[SPL]

Squad of 20 announced

Vermeer Vonk

VdWiel,Silva, Oleguer, Vermaelen, Vertonghen,Alderweireld

Urby, Lindgren, Gabri, Enoh, deJong,Sno ,Schilder,

Kennedy,Sulejmani, Suarez, Rommendahl, Leonardo.

If all are fit it wont be as bad as we thought yesterday.!

[Van basten]

Starting line-up:

Vermeer
Oleguer
Van der Wiel
Vermaelen
Vertonghen
Emanuelson
Enoh
Lindgren
Kennedy
Rommedahl
Suarez

strange, that there's no Gabri

[AjaxBergen]

Vermeer

Van der Wiel - Oleguer - Vermaelen - Vertonghen

Enoh - Kennedy - Lindgren

Rommedahl - Suarez - Urby

But who's on the bench today?