17 DEC; AZ - Ajax; Match Day 17

[Orange14]

Ajax and AZ are even on points but Ajax have the best goal differential in the league right now. This will be a tough game with a lot of players missing from injury and suspension. Schöne returns after missing the Excelsior match and we will have to see the extent of Wöber's injury (even if it is only a sprain, I don't think he plays). Who does Keizer start on the back line with de Ligt?

[Orange14]

Wöber's knee in a brace and the extent of the injury is still not known. If there is a lot of swelling they need for that to go down before a scan can be done. He is definitely out of Sunday's match. I have not seen any report on Siem de Jong who came off on his own after a late second half knock. Veltman, as noted, is suspended. It will be interesting to see what type of formation Keizer puts on the field Sunday with de Ligt as the only solid defender (who would have thought that we would be saying an 18 year old is the best defender on the club!!!).

[SPL]

V Leer our no 2 goalie out for 2 months .Orejuela not rated good enough at present to play and has been injured a bit. So Zeefuik will be used. We did of course sign Orejuela because they did not think Zeefuik was ready as back up RB. He doesn't look ready yet.

We have come into a season with just 2 right footed defenders to cover 2 positions ie Veltman and de Ligt with 2 reserve full backs not ready.I dont want to think about the shambles at LB.

[Ayman]

V Leer our no 2 goalie out for 2 months .Orejuela not rated good enough at present to play and has been injured a bit. So Zeefuik will be used. We did of course sign Orejuela because they did not think Zeefuik was ready as back up RB. He doesn't look ready yet.

We have come into a season with just 2 right footed defenders to cover 2 positions ie Veltman and de Ligt with 2 reserve full backs not ready.I dont want to think about the shambles at LB.

Regarding the left back position, I hope Mitchell Bakker gets to go on the bench and perhaps some playing time, I know he isn't ready, but coming on as a sub, he may surprise everyone by creating an assist!

[SPL]

Agree with Bakker ,he is now starting to get playing time with Jong and hopefully he will get on the bench before the season's end.

Wober is not badly injured,not sure when he will be fit but he will be back before the end of the season.Good news.

[SPL]

KJH for Dolberg and Schone for Siem. Back 4 Zeefuik,de Ligt,de Jong,Dijks

I would settle for a point with that back 4 but we will attack and hope for 3 points.

[Orange14]

KJH for Dolberg and Schone for Siem. Back 4 Zeefuik,de Ligt,de Jong,Dijks

It will be interesting to see if this ends up a 4-3-3 or a 3-4-3. I believe Eiting has played as a true back line player at times but not Frenkie. Keizer has a tough match ahead today.

[rjf1]

11 minutes in and AZ is getting the far better of the attacking chances -- they are obviously targeting our left defense -- with good results, so far. This will be a tough game for us to win, or even tie.

[King Litti]

how in earth that stayed out?!

[Ayman]

Neres with a good chance and Huntelaar with the rebound but cleared, AZ are no pushovers

[rjf1]

Two point blank shots in succession cleared off the line by one of their defenders -- unbelievable.

[Ayman]

Two point blank shots in succession cleared off the line by one of their defenders -- unbelievable.

It's promising though, AZ are tricky, but they do seem nervous

[King Litti]

Az came out with a intensive high press and we couldn't play through it, but it was clear that they would not have the energy to keep that up for a long time. Things look better for us now.

[Ayman]

Shit they nearly scored! How the hell did the Ajax defense open up like that?

[Ayman]

It's a penalty! Zeefuik handball and AZ are 1-0 up

[SPL]

Oh dear this does not look good 1 proper defender and he is 18

[Ayman]

Zeefuik reminds me of John Nieuwenburg in the early 2000s. He really is becoming a liablity

[Ayman]

Dijks is injured! Why the hell wasn't Bakker on the bench!

[Ayman]

Great save by Onana, Weghorst had a great chance

[SPL]

KJH yes,he still has it in him

[Ayman]

1-1 The Hunter!

[rjf1]

Perfect through pass from Neres and the Hunter collects and slips it past their goalie to even the score!!

[SPL]

Well just pleased we are level although we did have some good chances.They have had chances and as we have no defence.

KJH has had 3 good chances and put one away. Dolberg may be a better all round striker but in a game like today we need his experience and his ability to put the ball in the net.(Speaking of course as a hugh KJH fan!)

[Tom_]

Such a messy game. Zeefuik having a nightmare out there.

[Orange14]

First time this season I've had trouble with streams. I missed both goals because of dropouts! We are seeing yet another poorly officiated match. Several AZ attacks were offsides and not called. Huntelaar was pulled down in the box on what should have been a stone cold penalty call.

Our defending is pretty bad but they manage somehow to have only conceded the one goal. I still don't understand how we did not score at the 14th minute when both van der Beek and then Huntelaar had balls saved off the line by a defender when the keeper was out of position.