Weird that the ratings above have Ziyech higher than Neres. Ziyech had so many bad passes while Neres always plays contained. If he can't beat his man he always knows where the outlet player is.
I would be sorely disappointed if in the new few weeks (roughly by the start of second half of this season) Frankie could not secure a starting job. He and V.d Beek are the future of the Dutch NT, and they should be playing week in week out so they can develop their games together. Kluivert's finishing shots and composure are beyond his age. I hope he too can become one the first names penciled in the starting line-up.
I'm just hoping that the team can sign him to a real contract. His runs out in June 2019 and Raiola is the agent!! Not good for Ajax.
Amidst the swirling snowflakes in Eschede, Ajax lost what small chance they had of trying to catch up with PSV. A 3-3 draw in a poorly officiated game has to be considered a fair result as both teams were bothered by a slick pitch and numerous chances on both sides to score were missed by wide margins as well as some luck. Keizer was forced to sub of Wöber at the half as he was clear shaken up after being badly undercut by Boere who was not even warned for dangerous play but then this match official was willing to turn a blind eye to a lot of pushing and shoving. Player Ratings: Onana (4.5) - made a couple of good saves but was often times unconvincing Wöber (5.5) - had to come off at the half de Ligt (6) - anchored the three man back line OK Veltman (5.5) - had a good opportunity to score hitting the post and was decent enough on defense Schöne (6.5) - two nice free kicks and not much else F. de Jong (6) - composed on the ball tonight Ziyech (3.5) - I'm sorry but when you are paid the big €s, you need to come out and play well van de Beek (5) - barely average Kluivert (6) - got a goal with the help of a deflection but late in the game couldn't make the big play Dolberg (5.5) - had a nice kick shot that was saved and was good on the ball but the team still needs more Neres (5.5) - too out of control at times Zeefuik (3.5) - woefully out of position on more than one occasion S. de Jong (5) - did he even get a single touch coming on for 20 minutes PSV next week and even with a win, Ajax are still too far back to threaten.
Ouch, that are harsh numbers. I'm not sure I agree with them. Let's see what the numbers from AD Sportwereld are going to be.
Maybe so and I look forward to seeing what the Dutch pundits come up with. The club is in bad shape now with injuries to key players but you know all about that with your own club. Ajax management seems more interested in keeping the money in house rather than buying players. Keizer looks to be out of his league as trainer and it won't surprise me if he is sacked at the end of the season. Who do they bring in? Ronald Koeman? Peter Bosz for a return as he looks not to be lasting with Dortmund? Ziyech reminds me of the Sulejmani purchase back when van Basten took over as trainer; lots of promises but little return for the investment. I won't be surprised if he is sold in January as he is clearly disinterested in playing for Ajax. Some on other Ajax fora said Dolberg should be shipped out as well but I think that's a wrong decision.
Looking at the play of both Dolberg and Jörgensen, the latter surprisingly after his long injury absense seems the most lethal and determined one and destined to take the target role in the WC2018 for the Danes. But I would use both with the Totally Hotshit player behind them. That would give defenders a crippling head ache. The Danes are my dark horse for the WC.
@Orange14 The AD figures arenot that much flattering either: FC Twente – Ajax 3-3 FC Twente: Brondeel 6; Ter Avest 6, Bijen 6, Hooiveld 6, Thesker 7.5, Cuevas 6.5; Holla 6 (73. Van der Lely -), Liendl 5, Jensen 6.5; Assaidi 6.5 (80. Slagveer -), Boere 6.5 (90. Kvasina -). Ajax: Onana 5; Veltman 5, De Ligt 5,5, Wöber 6 (46. Zeefuik 5); Van de Beek 5, Schöne 6,5, F. de Jong 6,5, Ziyech 4,5; Neres 5, Dolberg 5,5 (82. S. de Jong-), Kluivert 5,5. Arbiter: Higler 4,5. Man of the Match: Met een schitterende treffer bracht Stefan Thesker zijn ploeg weer op gelijke hoogte met Ajax. Ook verdedigend was de Duitser ijzersterk. Af en toe over het randje, maar voorop in de strijd. Zo bracht Thesker als een echte aanvoerder het geloof terug bij FC Twente. Stefan Thesker. © ANP Pro Shots
^^pretty darn close to my marking of the match. Glad to see that they gave Higler a low rating. He was a very bad match official.
Dunno how to translate this into English: https://www.telegraaf.nl/video/1387294/ajax-bijeengeraapt-zooitje
RIP Henning Jensen. Too young, but it's not up to us when the time has come. https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetba...sen-op-68-jarige-leeftijd-overleden~a4963389/ Oud-Ajacied Henning Jensen op 68-jarige leeftijd overleden Henning Jensen is op 68-jarige leeftijd overleden. Hij was de vierde Deense voetballer bij Ajax, na Tom Söndergaard, Sören Lerby en Frank Arnesen.
Per Schuurs to Ajax. Great recruiting and nice succession planning for De Ligt (which I hope staying around for at least couple of years).
Update on Appie: https://www.ad.nl/binnenland/vader-nouri-hij-lachte-toen-we-een-bal-in-zijn-handen-legden~ae70e873/
My father had cousins who lived in Amsterdam and they took him to one of the 1974 WC matches when he was over visiting. I started following the club a couple of years before.
Like I said, you never grew up in NL. I think thats impressive since you have so much passion that even exceeds the best of Ajax (or Dutch Oranje) fans. You need to be commended my friend, you have 10X more passion and patriotism that many of us have. Cheers!! EDIT: not when it comes to Oranje though, I will DIE for my country!!!!
We are going to SLAUGHTER those Eindhovernaars, just give us a couple of hours?? And we'll teach you Rotterdammers how its done, okay??!!