13 Feb 2010: SC Heerenveen - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

Roll on the next one!

Heerenveen are having a terrible season so far, but... they just appointed their third head-coach of the season (Jan Everse) and he won his first match quite convincingly (at home against Utrecht). Hopefully Ajax won't fall victim to the 'Everse effect'. This match is a potential banana skin, especially because we'll be without our 'Flemish Block', Toby Alderweireld (injured) and Jan Vertonghen (suspended after his yellow card against Twente). We will have to think of a solution for central defense and it won't be easy: Oleguer and... Rob Wielaert? Or Oleguer and Lindgren?

Tricky one.

Kick-off is 19:45 CET on Saturday evening.

K.

[Orange14]

As I recall last year's match was a real banana peel. Bad weather and terrible play in a defeat. Van Basten questioned the players' attitude after the match because of the inclement conditions. We need to be on top of this one as it is the one away match left on our schedule that really causes me worry. A patched up back line is worrisome.

[SPL]

at least Oleguer has not looked too bad in his 2 and bit games this week .

[Blind3]

Last years Heerenveen club was certainly better in the table than this year, but I agree that Ajax will need everyone in the team sheet to be on their game to win. No looking ahead to matches against bigger fish or we're sure to get beaten. I hope the weather in Friesland is at least marginally better than the weather in my slice of paradise ( i.e. a second blizzard within the last week expected tonight and tomorrow ).

[martinkohout]

I hope the weather in Friesland is at least marginally better than the weather in my slice of paradise ( i.e. a second blizzard within the last week expected tonight and tomorrow ).

Yeah, my ex-college roommate lives in Harrisburg, not too far from you, and he says they've been told to expect another 10-18 inches, with winds up to 25 mph. Good luck to all those, on both sides of the pond, facing brutal winter weather....

[Orange14]

They have downgraded the snowfall here in Bethesda somewhat but it still looks like about 10-12 inches. I'm tired of shoveling snow!!!

[rjf1]

They have downgraded the snowfall here in Bethesda somewhat but it still looks like about 10-12 inches. I'm tired of shoveling snow!!!

Heh -- I can relate to that. After 12 winters in Minnesota, I swore I would never shovel snow again.

[aveslacker]

FWIW it's currently about 16 C here in Doha.

[Orange14]

FWIW it's currently about 16 C here in Doha.

Your just lucky you aren't living in Falls Church this week!!!! We're not getting as much snow today but the wind is wicked so it's pretty much a white out. Wish you could send some the Doha heat to us!

[SPL]

We are lucky here in southern england .The snow we have had is nothing compared to what you guys are getting.

Back to Saturday night it would not be the end if the game did get snowed off. Vertonghen is suspended and we are unlikely to see Toby . Next game v Vittese we should see Toby back and wont miss Jan Vertonghen as much .

[aveslacker]

FWIW it's currently about 16 C here in Doha.

Your just lucky you aren't living in Falls Church this week!!!! We're not getting as much snow today but the wind is wicked so it's pretty much a white out. Wish you could send some the Doha heat to us!

Of the many things that I do not miss about living in the DC area, snow is very near the top of the list. Right after traffic, obnoxious self-centered morons and the lack of quality Mexican food.

[jamcocteau]

Good news for tomorrow night as Toby Alderweireld has been declared fit - so expect him and Oleguer to be starting in centre of defence

[GangstaRiB]

Only downside is that Oleguer and Toby are both rightfooted. I don't know how strict Jol is on that subject. I hope he will do the same as here is suggested: start with Oleguer and Toby.

We simply don't have defenders that are good enough to do otherwise......

[Orange14]

FWIW it's currently about 16 C here in Doha.

Your just lucky you aren't living in Falls Church this week!!!! We're not getting as much snow today but the wind is wicked so it's pretty much a white out. Wish you could send some the Doha heat to us!

Of the many things that I do not miss about living in the DC area, snow is very near the top of the list. Right after traffic, obnoxious self-centered morons and the lack of quality Mexican food.

The next time you are in town, I'll take you out. There are a couple of good places downtown (Rosa's Cantina and Cafe Atlantico) that do things up pretty well.

[Mr_Holte]

Massive game tomorrow and in all honesty a must win game. Hopefully sopcast have it on live, and hope the Ajax fans enjoy the trip as this is one of the few rare occasions we can travel without using a combi!

[SPL]

Good news that Toby will be fit.

[SPL]

Squad of 20 with Toby fit and Aissati and Sulejmani included.

Easier to say that Urby and Enoh injured and Vertonghen suspended . And obviously no Wielaert.

[Ajaxfanuk]

Nervous about this one

[aveslacker]

This is exactly the kind of game where we lose points. Coming after a big win, poor opposition. We should all feel uneasy about this one.

[bluedaddy19]

good news from arnhem so far:

HT: vitesse 0 twente 0

[SPL]

steks

VdWiel Oleguer Alderweireld Anita

de Zeeuw de Jong Lindgren

Rommendahl Pantelic Suarez

sopcast NVS1 is working at present .74174 I think

[bluedaddy19]

things are even better near the hour in arnhem:

vitesse 1 twente 0

[aveslacker]

Vitesse 1 - Twente 0

[aveslacker]

So far Alderwiereld has been excellent. Excellent goalline clearance there.

[aveslacker]

Interesting officiating.