11 Feb 2007: ADO Den Haag - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

We're back in business!

Next up: Den Haag away. A must-win, with no travelling Ajax fans in attendance (the clubhouse fire and all that).

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

From now on the weeknds will be crucial. ADo is really struggling this season so we should be able to win 2-0 at least.

PSV will face Sparta, a game they are expected to win but hopefully drop points.
AZ will receive a tricky test against Willem II though they are favourites.

Twente will face Feyenoord.

All in all the top 3 teams face "so-so" teams, but all of them including Ajax can still drop points. Let's just hope Ajax ease past Den Haag and PSv and AZ drop points.

[Kowalczyk]

Next up for us are Den Haag away and Excelsior at home. Needless to say that we must (and will) grab the full six points in those games.

After that we'll get AZ away, Heerenveen at home, Twente away and PSV away in a row, with midweek fixtures every week: the two Werder games and a cup quarter final. The period from 25 Feb to 19 Mar will decide the league. It must be said that PSV's schedule looks a bit easier, but I have a funny feeling about their visit to Sparta. They are on form and PSV look a bit shaky at the moment...

Also, Feyenoord will lose again, at Twente. They're f*cked.

K.

[SPL]

Vermaelen 6 weeks Urby 3 weeks and Grygera another2 weeks all out.

We are therefore down to 3 defenders plus Lindenbergh having to play left back probably.

[DanK]

...Also, Feyenoord will lose again, at Twente. They're f*cked.
K.

LMAO :D

[Kowalczyk]

Vermaelen 6 weeks Urby 3 weeks and Grygera another2 weeks all out.

We are therefore down to 3 defenders plus Lindenbergh having to play left back probably.

Ogararu - Stam - Heitinga - Lindenbergh

Should be good enough for a clean sheet against Den Haag.

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Who will be subs?boakye?

[aveslacker]

Vermaelen 6 weeks Urby 3 weeks and Grygera another2 weeks all out.

We are therefore down to 3 defenders plus Lindenbergh having to play left back probably.

Ogararu - Stam - Heitinga - Lindenbergh

Should be good enough for a clean sheet against Den Haag.

K.

I think that would be my first choice defense (except subbing Ograru for Grygera) right now even if Urby were healthy.

[Kowalczyk]

Who will be subs?boakye?

Ummm... no.

http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2006-2007/ ... eason.html

If we lose a central defender on Sunday, we will have a bit of a problem. But Hedwiges Maduro is originally a centre-back, so he can play there, and Edgar Davids has some experience as a 'number 4'.

If we lose a fullback we're pretty much f*cked... HTC says that Davids can play at left fullback also, but I don't think that would be desireable, so it might be good idea for HTC to bring one or two kids from Young Ajax along to Den Haag, for example Vurnon Anita (right fullback). We could have used Jan Vertonghen (an option at left fullback) for this one...

Also: Roger has recovered from his persistent muscular injuries and will be in the squad again. His availability makes it easier to play a midfielder (Davids, Maduro) in defense, if necessary.

K.

[FlaFlu]

I'd give one of the talented young guns a shot along with Stam. We'll have to miss Davids, Ogararu, Grygera, Vermaelen and Emanuelson against Werder Bremen, so it wouldn't hurt to give one of the more talented youngsters some playing time against ADO.

Maduro as a central defender is not an option for me. He's been absolute shit in every single game he's played in that position.

[Kowalczyk]

Maduro as a central defender is not an option for me. He's been absolute shit in every single game he's played in that position.

Yups. Agreed.

In fact, the guy's had a great first month in Ajax-1, but after that he's been absolute shit at every position...

K.

[FlaFlu]

I won't disagree with you on that one. When he made his debut everyone was astounded by his calm and mature way of playing. A few months later it turned out that it didn't have that much to do with calm and mature play. Maduro is just a very slow thinker and handler on the field.

[Kowalczyk]

I wasn't even aware, but this game will be Ajax's very last visit to the old Zuiderpark. Next year ADO Den Haag will play at their brand-new ground.

Would be a bit of a disaster for them if they have to move to their new stadium as a First Division side... :D

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

this game is an obvious must win as they are rock bottom. the programme for ajax and AZ are much more tough compared to that of PSV. PSV will play the likes of Sparta and Heracles while AZ have Groningen up ahead along with the big clash against us. If theres a time for AJAX to start a late title charge that's now.

[Kowalczyk]

We can expect a very wet affair in The Hague.

There's been some very heavy rainfall this morning and until a few minutes ago there was a chance that referee Eric Braamhaar was going to call the match off. The pitch has just been inspected and the game is on, but I expect this one to be a waterpolo/mudwrestling game. It's gonna be hard work.

Ajax are normally really shit at adjusting to extreme conditions. It's definitely in Den Haag's favour. Come on boys, don't f**k it up.

K.

[Neefkens]

It stopped raining.

[Van basten]

what a miss for babel! it should be a goal..

[Ayman]

Shit we are a goal down :nooo:

[Van basten]

1-0... fu*k!

[Ayman]

Their defense is shit, their midfield is shit. We must score!!! We must win!!!

[Van basten]

it will be dificult to win this one, because pitch is worse and worse and they will defend all 11 people in second half. it's time for ten cate to make some decisions. KJH should go for leonardo and play in center while babel should go to the left. de mul also play shit today, if he continues to play like in first half, rosales should replace him

[bluedaddy19]

what a miss for babel! it should be a goal..

KJH wouldve buried it :xyxthumbs:

[bluedaddy19]

perez and huntelaar warming in earnest...

[Van basten]

KJH coming in. al hopes in you 'hunter'!

[bluedaddy19]

KJH for de mul... and johnny ties it on the subsequent CK!!!!

ADO's kid keeper gave a gift back to us for stek's

:cheer: