Ajaxtalk

They've always been tough at Nieuw Galgenwaard . Ajax supporters know this as well as anyone. I agree that they'll fade. Quite simply, they are a modest sized club, with modest squad depth, that will find it difficult to keep up the pace over thirty-four matches plus.

After some recent posts, I decided to check the stats after 8 games and have to say I'm impressed so far:

- We are tied with Utrecht for the fewest goals conceded (5), Twente and FWord have conceded 6
- We've scored the most goals (25), three more than PSV
- Overall Goal Differential, we are at 20, PSV is next highest at 12
- Most clean sheets in the league, with 6

The first stat is really what I hope we can continue near the top of the league at this season. Over the last few games and like others, I think the team is really starting to play well together and hope they continue to grow this season. Overall it is still a young squad, and the last 3 signings can hopefully make an impact at some point. Pantelic has impressed in the few minutes I've seen him.

A seriously tough one for PSV this upcoming weekend: Utrecht away.

Twente play the regional derby at Heracles Almelo.

I think Twente will win, but PSV... who knows.

K.

NEC and Utrecht drew 1-1 this evening

Utrecht are playing PSV off the park... Five, six major scoring chances. So far, Isaksson is keeping PSV upright.

Come on Utrecht. Do us a favor!

K.

Both PSV and Twente are on even terms right now. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they either draw or lose!!! wonder if these Thursday Europa fixtures are to blame?

Twente just took the lead at Heracles: 1-2...

And it's 1-3, one minute later. Heracles are finished for sure.

Let's hope Utrecht can do something.

K.

It's quiet a miracle that PSV isn't losing by 4 goals or so. Too bad...

Cedric_AeF schreef:It's quiet a miracle that PSV isn't losing by 4 goals or so. Too bad...

Yep. They must be very pleased.

So, FC Twente are the new league leaders. Respect to them.

K.

Coming up next: a week (and a weekend) full of international games.

Next Eredivisie matchday is on 17 and 18 October. Here are the fixtures:

Sat 17 October
18.45:
Ajax - Willem II
19.45:
NAC Breda - Vitesse
FC Twente - AZ
20.45:
PSV - SC Heerenveen

Sun 18 October
12.30:
VVV-Venlo - Roda JC
14.30:
FC Groningen - FC Utrecht
NEC - ADO Den Haag
RKC Waalwijk - Heracles Almelo
16.30:
Sparta Rotterdam - Feyenoord

I don't expect Heerenveen will do anything in Eindhoven. They're having a nightmare so far and although I'm sure they'll improve at some point, I can't see them grabbing anything at PSV.

FC Twente vs AZ... Interesting. Interesting... A draw would be cool and I can see it happening, too.

Sparta Rotterdam vs Feyenoord: normally a Feyenoord win, but it's the city derby ('Castle edition'), you never know.

Would be nice if Utrecht f*ck up at Groningen (which isn't unthinkable; I'd expect them to drop two points there).

K.

I noticed AZ playing against Arsenal tonight without shirt sponsors and wondered why. No doubt anyone in NL knows about this but it was news to me. DSB Bank have gone bust which could be big trouble for AZ....

http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/2009/1 ... al-crisis/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009 ... rt-sponsor

is it the time for us to snap a good player from the alkmaar team??? I am just wondering, how many economical problems they are about to face if they continue without support

I think that Sheringa has stated that AZ are up for sale. Also, I think RKC Waalwijk are headed for insolvency this weekend without some type of bailout. Bad economic times for lots of clubs.

Some second div teams are struggling Haarlem and Telstar are funded by AZ

Telstar ok, but even if Haarlem would be funded by another club, it would be Ajax.

I have seen the whole AZ-Arsenal game, and I found AZ quite unimpressive. It was a lucky result for them.

Benji. I had seen that Haarlem are in some financial trouble, even though they have some agreement with us but I meant Telstar and not Haarlem have connections with AZ so will their finances be effected ?

NEC vs PSV this upcoming weekend.

Interesting one. I thought PSV were really poor against Copenhagen.

K.

A piss-poor and utterly unconvincing Feyenoord performance against VVV-Venlo yesterday evening. They hardly deserved their 1-0 win. VVV really could have hurt them. Too bad they didn't.

PSV travel to NEC Nijmegen today. Twente have a home game against FC Groningen; it will be interesting to see how they will deal with their midweek Europa League defeat at Sheriff Tiraspol, which was an unexpected stumble and their first defeat in 18 matches.

K.

the eat-them-alive lunatic :
http://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/5157 ... tml?p=30,1

Az playing at home against Spakenburg for the Dutch Cup. After 6 minuten Spakenburg scored, in the second half AZ scored 1-1 and 2-1. You'd think they would hold on to that, but in the last minute Spakenburg scores again, 2-2. Extra time for AZ

Oh, and RKC Waalwijk have found a way out of their misery, for now. I believe they struck a deal with the city council: the rent for their ground has been lowered or something like that. Bottom line is: they can carry on and finish the season. They won't go out of business during this season.

Which means we can keep our three points, our four goals - and Luis Suárez can keep his hattrick.

K.

PSV and Twente won close ones today. Damn

Not sure how true this is, but it's from De Telegraaf....Gazprom looking at buying/sponsoring AZ Alkmaar.

http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/g ... kmaar_5533

SE6Ajacied schreef:Not sure how true this is, but it's from De Telegraaf....Gazprom looking at buying/sponsoring AZ Alkmaar.

http://www.football-shirts.co.uk/fans/g ... kmaar_5533

As if they couldn't be any more sold out in the first place.