10 Sep 2005: Willem II - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

After the F-word game Ajax will have two weeks off (again) due to WC qualifiers in the weekend of September 3rd and 4th...

After that: Willem II away! Normally one of the easier road games, but we do need to take revenge for last season's Amstel Cup elimination!

I think it's an advantage that it's a few days before their first game against Monaco in the UEFA Cup. Obviously, the same goes for Ajax (we play Sparta Prague on the 14th), but the difference is that Ajax are used to European fixtures being ahead, whereas Willem II aren't.

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Poor Willem II, they got the hardest draw from all the Dutch clubs

[Kowalczyk]

Free travelling to Tilburg... Presale to priority awy card holders this week.

Nice one.

K.

[aveslacker]

Will Juanfran play in this one?

[Kowalczyk]

Some team news from today's press conference...

Apart from the 'long-term' injuries (Stekelenburg, Maxwell, Mitea) Ajax will travel to Tilburg without Julien Escudé (back injury) and Edgar Manucharyan (hamstring injury, sustained against Holland). Yannis Anastasiou has not been selected and Juanfran is still working on his fitness.

Blind on Juanfran: "He's doing very well. I think he'll be ready for action in less than two weeks. If we do some simple math the outcome will be the ADO game on September 21st. Juanfran wants to play now, but we won't push it with him."

Another Blind quote: "We will not think of the Sparta Prague game yet. I will not keep any players sidelined because that fixture is coming up next. We take this one seriously and we want to win it."

You better! If we don't win we'll have one win out of the first three league games, which would officially make for an SSS ('Shit Start of Season'). Also, we have to take revenge for last season's cup semi-final. We had like gazillion scoring chances back then, but failed to put 'em away. So I suggest we do that tomorrow! Any objections?

K.

[bluedaddy19]

what radio station has AJAX broadcasts in amsterdam?

[Fenerbahce]

The game is delayed due to bad weather. Rain, thunder and lightning ..

[English Eagle]

Final score 2-0,goals from Galasek(34 mins) & Charisteas(85),on the down side Grygera was sent off after 59 mins.

[Per]

I like that Charisteas seem to be thriving under the new competition.

Seems like it's time to have him as a starter now.

Nice to have three points in the pocket and some time to concentrate for the CL :xyxthumbs:

[bluedaddy19]

I like that Charisteas seem to be thriving under the new competition.

Seems like it's time to have him as a starter now.

agreed... with babel struggling terribly and rosenberg still finding his way, i'm afraid i have to 'i told you so' all the people who have been screaming for him to be sold

harry should start wednesday

[ZoefdeHaas]

How did Lindenbergh do?

[Bert]

Very good, a lot of one touch football and his passes were always good.

[Kowalczyk]

Here are my two cents on behalf of Ajax USA, people...

http://www.ajax-usa.com/matches/m05-06/ ... lburg.html

K.

[Kowalczyk]

harry should start wednesday

He will. Safe bet.

And even more importantly: we should leave this midfield intact. Galásek and Lindenbergh were great. They add experience and intelligence to the midfield and they also have more defensive quality, which might not be a bad idea in an away game in the Champions League. There finally was some balance yesterday evening and some good 'linking' between midfield and the forwards.

Too bad for De Jong (he's been crap anyway in recent games) and too bad for Maduro, if you ask me. Escudé should return to the team, Galásek and Lindenbergh should play -- and De Jong and Maduro can start on the bench.

Oh yeah, one last thing: Urby was great once again.

K.

[English Eagle]

Thanks for the report K,saw the goals on the highlights on Talpa's live feed.Good finish from Harry & a cracker from Galasek,the keeper could only stand there & admire,he didnt have a :eusa_pray: .

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

Nice to know that there is some competition going on in various position's lets hope that this elevates everybody's game.I agree with K the midfield should stay the same for the next 2 matches at least(Sparta and AZ), it is slightly more defensive and has a good balance in youth and experience.

On to Prague then... Lets go Ajax!!!!

[SoliloQuy]

Don't you guys think Babel is being slightly wasted on the left wing, he should either play as a striker or on the bench, it is not helping the team or himself being on the bench.

A good win, just before a CL game.

[AsgAarD_xxx]

I think it is not possible now:

1) Rosenberg and Charisteas played good games
2) Mitea is injured and we don't have good replacement for him

As you see, Babel must play as a winger now. Anywhere, I also think it is not the best solution to make him a winger.

[Kowalczyk]

I think it is not possible now:

1) Rosenberg and Charisteas played good games
2) Mitea is injured and we don't have good replacement for him

As you see, Babel must play as a winger now.

I think you're right. The only other options would be:

1. play Rosales on the left
(he played there a few times, but I wasn't impressed)

2. move Boukhari back to the left forward position
(not an option, if you ask me: he did alright as a midfielder and that's the position he should focus on from now on)

As long as Mitea is not there, I guess it must be Babel.

K.

[SoliloQuy]

I just feel that people are getting on his back slightly, when he is way out of posistion, and his confidence could get really low.

[AsgAarD_xxx]

The only other options would be:

1. play Rosales on the left
(he played there a few times, but I wasn't impressed)

2. move Boukhari back to the left forward position
(not an option, if you ask me: he did alright as a midfielder and that's the position he should focus on from now on)

K.

Or buy Andy van der Meyde when it was possible :sad:

[jakobg]

Or buy Andy van der Meyde when it was possible :sad:

Naah. I'd rather let him travel around Europe for a while.

[SE6Ajacied]

Or buy Andy van der Meyde when it was possible :sad:

Naah. I'd rather let him travel around Europe for a while.

He's surely seeing the sights - Liverpool is great