I was coming here to post this. According to FotMob, Ajax have the fewest xG conceded per match in the Eredivisie. They're also second in the league (by .1) in terms of fewest saves allowed and 16/18 in terms of fewest tackles. To me, this means that they have established a good defensive structure. On the offensive side of the ball, while they're second in goals per match, they're sixth in expected goals, meaning they are overperforming offensively but are still pretty good. As much as it can be frustrating to see them leave it late against teams they should be rolling, it's completely the opposite of last year. Assuming they have a bit of a war chest to buy players over the break, which is what I'd read from Dutch media sources a few weeks ago, it's very possible that they end up in CL positions by the end of the season.
Juve are interested in Hato https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/j...prijs-minstens-30-miljoen/bltdc364c72d5c64e56
The Swiss Ramble has a sobering analysis of Ajax finances. Key take aways: Or, as the club put it, “Ajax’s result is highly dependent on the sporting scenario and outgoing transfers.” Therefore, Ajax only qualifying for the Europa League in the last two seasons has really hurt their finances, as will the low player trading profit this season (unless they do more business in the January window). As a consequence, the club said that “additional structural cost reductions will be implemented this season”, which makes sense for the bottom line, though it might make their recovery more difficult. That said, Ajax still have the best financial resources in the Eredivisie in almost every category, so they should be fine, but that assumes that the management will stop dropping the ball. Ajax have been pretty successful for a number of years, both on and off the pitch, but are finding life more of a challenge these days, though the board put a philosophical spin on the club’s situation, “Without losses, victories have no value.”
This is right here. With the resources the club has, the only possible way it can stay out of the top tier is through the utter malpractice we saw last year.
Washington Post has a good article on the downfall of Quincy Promes who trafficked in cocaine How Dutch soccer player Quincy Promes became a cocaine trafficker - The Washington Post
Ajax can go level with 010 and AZ if they get full points on the artificial turf of Almelo tonight. Plus they have two games in hand over AZ and one over 010. Has anybody ever been to a match in Almelo? I would love to see matches in some of these smaller stadiums.
Yeah, that's a good question. A search shows that all Eredivisie matches must be on grass or approved hybrid starting with 2025-26 season. And last year, Heracles went to Hatko Hybridgrass, which is 93% grass and 7% synthetic. https://www.hatkohybridgrass.com/en-us/what-is-hybridgrass/ And it looks like this pitch will be accepted by the KNVB. https://eredivisie.eu/news/no-more-artificial-turf-in-the-eredivisie-from-the-2025-26-season/#:~:text=Heracles Almelo&text=The Almelo club is switching,irrigation and aeration from below.
They extradited Taghi https://nltimes.nl/2024/07/27/son-ridouan-taghi-extradited-united-arab-emirates-netherlands
What a whacky game but typical of the Eredivisie. Ajax had loads of possession and did a very nice job of getting the ball into the attacking area. Unfortunately, they struggled again to convert chances. Brobbey missed what should have been an easy goal early on and then had one saved by the keeper so he still is scoreless in league play. Defense showed frailties with both Sutalo and Baas not having great games. The first Heracles goal was one of those box scrambles and Ajax just could not get it clear. The second was the result of a lazy pass from Sutalo and great awareness from Engels to loft a ball that Pasveer was late in getting back on. Weghorst came on to save the day. I would note that the match official was quite poor. Brobbey was getting mauled all match long but only 20% of the time getting a call. The late sending off of the Heracles captain was a pretty light call. However, a win is a win!!! Player Ratings: Pasveer (5.5) - not convincing in his ball handling and kicking, maybe a younger keeper makes the save on the 2nd goal Rensch (6.5) - decent match with some good passes Sutalo (5.5) - at fault on the 2nd goal and had another dodge moment as well but was good in possession Baas (5.5) - poor coverage late on an attacker who clanged the shot off the crossbar Hato (6) - missed a coverage a couple of times but did move into space for outlet passes Henderson (6) - easily dispossessed and then Heracles get the 3rd goal of the day, otherwise he was good Taylor (6) - decent enough getting into the box with some good possession Davy One Goal (6) - such a limited player who is too slow these days and his passing has never been good BUT he pops up in the box and scores Tarore (6.5) - good with the ball and finished a very nice chance to tie the match at 2-2 Brobbey (5.5) - persistently fouled all match and unlucky with one chance and poor with another, the goals will eventually come but when? Godts (6) - decent enough game but still doesn't recognize a double team quickly enough Fitz-Jim (6) - such good play with the ball, not sure he had a bad pass Weghorst (7.5) - saved the day with a free header and calm PK Gaaei (NR) - on late Rasmussen (NR) - on late Rugani (NR) - on late Dicey trip to Azerbaijan coming up in the Europa League against an opponent I know nothing about. Three league games in quick succession against Willem II, Feyenoord and PSV. Ajax are now level on points in third behind PSV and a surprising Utrecht side that just keeps winning games.
One of those games where xG and actual goals tell a completely different tale. By xG, this should have been a rout - 3.87-0.83 in favor of Ajax. Over the course of the season, this should even out, but even still, there's a reason that xG don't win matches.
Everybody was saying he was washed up, but Klaassen now has 3 goals in 4 games. I say keep playing the lad until his wheels fall off
He is suspected of participating in a criminal organization that is involved in international drug trafficking, money laundering, and preparing violent crimes Those crimes seem more serious than drug running.And a non extradition country like UAE usually gets a sugar packet of some sort to make it worth their while.
I've said this before but clearly this squad has limited quality. However-- I give Farioli credit because they are fighting their asses off. It's not really Ajax's style but this team should be proud of how they've been able to get results in situations where the last few years they'd fold.