That's still better than I would have thought at the beginning of the season, and might still be a bit of a lucky outcome for them. Hopefully the winterstop will give them a chance to catch their breath a little.
And yet Ajax are solely in second place, with only 3 draws and 1 loss. Four points ahead of Feyenoord and only six behind PSV. This isn't bad considering last season and the start to this season. Farioli has certainly "righted" the ship; now to build on that by not wasting money with stupid transfers in and out. As a Feyenoord fan, I would gladly swap places with Ajax right now.
Side note, no one is catching psv this season. I got hopeful for a minute when Twente went up early. Yeah, that didn’t last!
Another mediocre performance by Ajax and the score line could have been worse given the two shots by van Bommel that hit the upright. I don't know the full extent of fitness of some of Farioli's players and maybe that's why he put out the team he did and had them play very conservative football in the first half. The only excitement came in the final 15 minutes when Brobbey, Traore, and Godts came on did Ajax look at all threatening. The second AZ goal was a complete mental lapse!!! Both Gaaei and Baas are right next to Lahdo and both run away from him giving the AZ player a free header!!!! Just awful. I also do not think the match official was particulary good. He let a lot stuff go on that should have been called as fouls I've noted before that the sheer number of matches Ajax have played since August have caught up to them and they just need to scrape by into the winter break. If they don't have a fully fit team on Thursday, I cannot see them doing much at home against Lazio. Player Ratings: Pasveer (5.5) - not an especially good game with some slopping kicking Gaaei (4.5) - crosses were awful and he still cannot defend Sutalo (6) - should have been tighter on Parrot to stand any chance of defending against the first goal but he was pretty much marooned with no help at all but otherwise solid Baas (5) - his passes are way too weak and easily dealt with Hato (5.5) - little involved and seemed lost at times van den Boomen (4) - really awful with zero mobility and cannot defend at all; Mokio probably would have done better Taylor (5.5) - worked really hard but with two awful players next to him, not much can be expected Davy One Goal (4) - any hope about him staying longer than this season were easily dispelled in this game, horrible passing and not much defending Berghuis (4.5) - zero impact on the match Weghorst (5) - good attempt on goal but needs to know you cannot use your hand Akpom (5)- maybe time to move him in January for the right price as he is not a winger Brobbey (5.5) - had a goal called back on a shove to the defender Traore (5) - saw a fair amount of the ball but did not do much with it Fitz-Jim (5.5)- a welcome relief from Klaassen Godts (6) - too bad he was not fully fit as he would have posed trouble for AZ Rasmussen (NR) - on late Lazio in Amsterdam on Thursday night followed by Almere City next weekend
Ajax just look slow and once again lacking in overall quality especially in midfield. Almost no playmaking or creativity. So slow the buildup from the back with AZ pressing looking to seize on the sloppy passes or bad touches. Ajax defending was suspect on both AZ goals and it was Taylor who allowed a free cross from the right while Baas and Sutalo were both asleep with them being out of position, and allowing Parrott goal side to finish past Pasveer. Second goal off a corner saw no challenge defending while Pasveer allowed the ball to get over him to the back post. What a weak jump by the 41 year old. Just annoying to me. This goal drives me nuts because it shows a lack of aggression, from all the defenders, and I don’t understand why we cannot put a man on the post to aid with a simple step to the ball, or at least covering the goal to aid the occasional flapping GK. I have to single out Akpom once again who was he usual useless self. Now he looks to fall down and complain to the referee while he basically just passes the ball backwards. Just a terrible player, and it truly saddens me that Ajax have so many poor players still on this current roster like this guy. As Orange14 noted Ajax didn’t come alive until Brobbey and Godts came on. I thought Brobbey’s goal should not have been disallowed as the AZ Defender (I think it was Goes) was very weak. Ajax had earlier had another goal called back correctly after Weghorst clumsily handled the ball past Zoet. Ajax goal was courtesy of Godts who started a move that Brobbey would hold off his defender, while playing in the dribbling Belgian whose finish made it 2-1. Ajax needs help, and their weaknesses are being exposed, but AZ are a pretty good team with several good young players. I’m hoping for better football from Ajax against Lazio who will be a difficult side.
Lazio is going to be tough. But perhaps our Italian coach will know the right game plan to match up with them. another not surprising result today. Rich and Orange summed it up well. Really hope for some good reinforcements in the winter.
I think they will have to sell Akpom for some good money if that is going to happen. Farioli commented that he does not expect new players in January.
they should definitely try to move him. He has his moments but he certainly isn’t useful out on the wings. Traore hasn’t been inspiring recently either. Would be nice to pick up someone who could play either right or left with some degree of creativity.
Also saw this, would be helpful: Two Serie A clubs are showing interest in Ajax midfielder Benjamin Tahirović, who has been capped 14 times by Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Nicolo Schira)
Awful match to watch so far... Lazio goal was a gift. Hit directly at Pasveer... I'm not sure how he missed it. Baas needs to sit at half. He's been a disaster. Brobbey gets fouled 100 times. Commits 1 foul = yellow card. Horrific official (again).
Ajax have now lost 13 straight home matches to Italian club teams. This was the strongest starting lineup that Farioli could put out and they were not able to get the job done. Lazio was clinical in finishing but Ajax also were poor defending on each goal. This club cannot play out from the back against opposition that understands their pattern of play. When Ajax did get the ball deep they had some nice interior passing but the shots were all blocked or missed the frame. Four headers, three from Brobbey and one from Akpom all missed the target though two of Brobey's were difficult. Traore had a wonderful goal and another that hit the crossbar but the rest of his play was dreadful. He could not properly challenge the Lazio LB who marched up the field setting the table for the third goal. Ajax journey to Latvia to take on Rigas in the next match before finishing up at home with Galatasary. Player Ratings: Passveer (6) - made three great saves but was forced to scramble because of weak back passes Rensch (6) - OK match coming back from injury Sutalo (6) - thought he was all right Baas (4.5) - his passing is really bad right now and he seems lost at times Hato (6) - decent but a YC means he doesn't travel to Latvia Henderson (5.5) - look like he was laboring out there Taylor (6) - above average before coming off Berghuis (5.5) - had a couple of good free kicks Traore (5.5) - to many poor passes and turnovers Brobbey (5.5) - should have scored on one of the three headers Godts (6) - had good ball control when he had it and passed to the open man Fitz-Jim (6) - worked hard and had two shots, one easily saved and the other over the crossbar Weghorst (5) - did control the ball several times but was never a factor Akpom (4.5) - has to put the header in the net Gaaei (NR) - on late and had a couple of decent crosses Rasmussen (NR) - on late Almere City on Sunday and then a cup tie with Telstar.
Completely accurate Orange14. Baas and Traore were awful. Brobbey needs much better service (He misses Bergwijn) and early balls played into the channels but we never see this action. Farioli cannot fix this broken team, and its numerous problems, but obviously has them better organized.
This was a game Ajax were expected to win and that they did with little trouble. Almere City were a bit unfortunate to have a weak foul called early in the half when Rensch was dispossessed and the result goal waved off. That was the extent of their offense as Pasveer had little to do other than catch some wayward crosses. Weghorst opened the scoring on a great assist from Klaassen. Taylor was also on the scoreboard in the first half and Fitz-Jim with a great half volley finished things up in the second half. Lots of possession for Ajax and some very nice interior play in the Almere box. Ajax move back into second place on goal difference over Utrecht with Feyenoord a point behind. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6) - had nothing to do and unlike the past several matches did not receive many back passes Rensch (6.5) - luck not to have conceded a goal when he was dispossessed because of a very weak foul call but was good otherwise and had a nice shot in the second half that was saved Rugani (7) - had one weak pass but was otherwise good Baas (6.5) - better tonight but was not subject to much pressure Wijndal (7) - got the start with Hato given the night off and put in a good shift Henderson (7) - rock solid match and great long pass unlocking Taylor for the lob goal Fitz-Jim (7.5) - had a very good game with some clever passing and interior play, finished the scoring off with a great goal Davy One Goal (7) - put in a solid shift and was alert to chest the ball back to Weghorst who made no mistake with the shot Akpom (6) - rather silent in this one Weghorst (7) - got the match winner and almost a 2nd with a header that clanged back off the crossbar Taylor (7.5) - MOTM for me and the supporters at the match, his goal was beautiful and he filled in well when Henderson was subbed off in the 2nd half Traore (5.5) - again too careless with the ball as a 2nd half sub Godts (6) - added quickness to the left flank Brobbey (5.5) - on with 15 minutes to go and had a couple of touches Kaplan (NR) - on late Hylnsson (NR) - on late Telstar in the Cup mid-week followed by Sparta to round things out next weekend when Feyenoord and PSV square off
I know Fitz-Jim is supposed to be so-so defensively, but he's pretty smooth with the ball from what I've seen.
70% of the match must have been played in the Telstar half but Ajax were not terribly precise with interior passing. Ajax also put good pressure on Telstar and generated some good deep turnovers. Rugani with the match winner with a header off a corner by van den Boomen and then Akpom seals the match with a great header off of a cross from Gaaei. MOTM for me was Henderson who was virtually perfect in all phases of the game. He controlled the deep midfield and was always a solid outlet for passes. Ajax had little defending to do and Pasveer had to only parry away one shot. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6) - not much to do other than some passing out and kicking Gaaei (6) - great cross to Akpom for the 2nd goal but was only average otherwise, he seems not to have good field sense in terms of his passing Rugani (7) - got the match winner and defended well Kaplan (6.5) - good on the ball but had little to do otherwise Hato (7) - decent match and tried to push forward as much as possible Henderson (7.5) - gave a clinic on how to play the deep MF Berghuis (5.5) - barely above average and I'm not sure Ajax should resign him Fitz-Jim (6) - had some decent passes but was also careless on occasion Traore (6) - better than in some past matches but really didn't make a difference Brobbey (5.5)- held up the ball and made some nice turns but misplayed a ball when he looked to be in on goal Godts (6.5) - very lively but things were too clogged in the back by Telstar and he faced a lot of double teams van den Boomen (6.5) - a couple of good free kicks and decent picking out players to pass to Weghorst (5) - two chances to score and he didn't, was persistently fouled anytime the ball got to him Taylor (6.5) - decent enough coming in first as a MF and then as a right wing when Traore went off Akpom (6.5) - nailed the header to clinch the match but was too selfish on his first shot when Weghorst was totally open at the far post Davy One Goal (NR) - on late Sparta away on Sunday to wrap up the first half of the season.
Wasn’t quite an inspirational match but they got the job done. Draw for the next round was recently done. Away to AZ. Awfully tough given the other possibilities.
Certainly not a masterpiece at Sparta today but 3 points with some stumbling football. Not much more to add other than the need to, or hope to see some faster and better football hopefully in the future from my Club.
A swirling wind and some woeful play from Ajax made the game today not worth watching for the first 65 minutes. It was only with the introduction of Brobbey, Godts and Traore that the team decided to wake up and play some football. Taylor, one of the bright spots on the day, calmly slotted home a penalty for the match winner and Traore with a wonderful curling shot clinched the 0-2 win and keep Ajax in second place. It looked like Farioli changed formation going for a 3-5-2 with Hato and Gaaei as wing backs with Weghorst and Akpom up front. It did not work as the passing was poor and neither Akpom or Weghorst posed any serious threats on goal. The defense dealt successfully with all the Sp;arta attacks and Pasveer made all the necessary saves though none were difficult balls. Player Ratings: Pasveer (6.5) - did not have any difficulty in goal and his ball handling was more than decent Rensch (6.5) - OK defending as part of a back three in the first half Rugani (6.5) - decent enough though he's really not the type of good ball handler Ajax want in the back line Baas (6.5) - OK match with no major passing errors that have plagued him in recent matches Gaaei (5) - contributed little as a wingback and came off at the half Hato (7) - solid match and did go forward well with his charge into the box drawing a deserved penalty call Henderson (6.5) - decent match though he was laboring at times as he cannot deal with a congested fixture that Ajax have had to deal with Taylor (7.5) - MOTM with his good offensive performance, unlucky to slip in the box when it looked like he would be facing the keeper with a good shooting opportunity Davy One Goal (5.5) - very labored play and came off for Fitz-Jim just before the hour mark Akpom (5) - only average Weghorst (5) - same as Akpm Godts (6) - added a spark on the left side as Ajax went back to a 4-3-3 in the second half Traore (7) - much better play on the day with a wonderful strike to sew up the points Brobbey (6.5) - held the ball up much better than Weghorst and got the assist on the Traore goal Fitz-Jim (6.5) - coming in for the slow Klaassen really helped the MF unlock playing space Berghuis (NR) - on late Ajax are in a much better place than last season and given all the turmoil we supporters have to be pleased. It's still not the type of free-flowing Ajax football that we are accustomed to but Farioli has conviction about his tactics and rotation policy. With some deserved rest for the holiday break, let's hope our club comes back reenergized for the second half of the season!! Hoppy Holidays to all!!!!!!!
Right back at you! Looks like Kutrecht already gave us an early gift by coughing up a late lead today. I would not have thought we'd be in the running for a CL spot this season, but here we are ...
and somehow also only six points off the top, as well, even with the kinda iffy last month or so. If they start firing on all cylinders, second half of the season could be interesting at least!
We will see how the second half plays out. Don't know whether Ajax will sell or bring in any player(s) in January. I also wonder if some of the better players in the youth ranks will get playing time. Several have made game day rosters but not played. Faberski should be called up as a right wing back up. He would have done better than Gaaei yesterday.