23 Jan 2008: Ajax - FC Utrecht

[Van basten]

Can't drop points here. With Heitinga back after suspension and probably Vermaelen after injury, maybe our defence won't look so miserable. If Vermaelen really returns, this probably means Urby going on the bench

[Kowalczyk]

Can't drop points here.

We can't, but we might.

Heitinga back, but Gabri suspended. Anything can happen at the moment.

K.

[Philippe]

probably Vermaelen after injury, maybe our defence won't look so miserable. If Vermaelen really returns, this probably means Urby going on the bench

I would think that we would play Vermaelen in the center of the defense, leaving Urby on the left.

[Van basten]

probably Vermaelen after injury, maybe our defence won't look so miserable. If Vermaelen really returns, this probably means Urby going on the bench

I would think that we would play Vermaelen in the center of the defense, leaving Urby on the left.

I would prefer Vertonghen at the moment on the left, but it's Koster who will make the choice, so we'll see

P.S. I just now realized, that this game is not on weekend, but on wednesday

[Kowalczyk]

I would prefer Vertonghen at the moment on the left

Yeah, me too. Vertonghen was pretty shit in Nijmegen, but he played in the centre there. As a left fullback he's done better than Urby this season, in my opinion.

K.

[SPL]

Not sure Vermaelen will play. He is making a comeback in the reserves tonight so we will have to see.

[Kowalczyk]

Not sure Vermaelen will play. He is making a comeback in the reserves tonight so we will have to see.

He's in the squad of 18...

Silva won't be, by the way. Time was too short to get all the paperwork done. He'll be available on Sunday.

K.

[jamcocteau]

Ajax went 1 up through great volley by KJH.

Worryingly Emanuelson just stretchered off, not looking good. Vermahlen on , nice to see

YESSSS 2-0 Heitinga

[jamcocteau]

Final score 2-0 Ajax, well bloody hell a clean sheet, the first since 28 October since we beat Utrecht away and only 4th this season in the Eredivisie.

[SE6Ajacied]

Final score 2-0 Ajax, well bloody hell a clean sheet, the first since 28 October since we beat Utrecht away and only 4th this season in the Eredivisie.

That's certainly a plus and damn. I bet I'd have got good odds at the start of the season that in January our first clean sheet of the season since Utrecht away would be Utrecht at home given our recent record.......

[Kowalczyk]

It may sound strange, but if you ask me this was the best Ajax performance of the season in many ways... This win was totally and utterly convincing: the first half half was not particularly spectacular, but Ajax had Utrecht by the throat from the start, not allowing them any chances whatsoever - and slowly but certainly increasing the pressure. In the second half the chances started coming - and the first goal was inevitable. Over all, I thought the second half was really good. All in all, a 100% deserved win, a clean sheet and (possibly for the first time this season) an Ajax team that was solid, sovereign, flawless and pretty much impossible to beat on the night.

I know: this doesn't ay anything about Sunday, or Wednesday, or the season as a whole, or Ajax's position in Europe... But it does say something about today, and it felt good. Ajax did the business today and they did it in convincing style. Hurrah.

K.

[Arthur]

Maybe it was indeed one of the best matches of the season (although that doesn't say much), but Utrecht was also one of the weakest opponents of the season.
They didn't even try to exploit Ajax' many weaknesses.

But all in all it was nice to go home after a convincing win for once.

[SPL]

A good win hopefully to set us up for the tough week ahead.

How bad an injury has Urby? Mind you his defending has not been good enough in several games I have seen.!! Still with Vermaelen back and a new right back this must improve our defence and hopefully give more confidence to the team.

We finished last night with 2 proper centre backs, something that has not happened for a few games ( in fact not since Fword when VdWeil went off injured).Vertonghen has done well considering he is a midfielder by trade.

[LucaS]

Emanuelson played a good game yesterday (the second half). Maybe he benefits from the return of Davids

[dws]

Highlights at: http://www.fcutrechttv.nl/player/player ... ctID=13283

Double click the left mouse button to expand the media player screen.

Nasty looking tackle by Keller on Urby

[Number9]

The GREATEST squad on the PLANET!!

[Kowalczyk]

Match report is up on Ajax USA!

K.