Young Ajax in the Jupiler League

[Orange14]

Monday we play Helmond and half of the 16 who played last night will be missing to play U19 v Benfica.We are prioritising the CL U19 but our Jong team is struggling and bottom. Monday will see non contracted U19 players and almost certainly another defeat.

The problem is the Jong Ajax don't have a consistent first team from match to match. Some players moved up to the first team quickly and don't see playing time in every game. The UEFA Youth League complicates things as well by pulling players away from Jong Ajax as well. If Ajax progress in the Youth League this will be a problem all season long. If you look back when Jong Ajax was in the top five of the division, the match lineup was consistent. Occasionally players would get called up for cup matches but that was it. Nouri, de Jong, Eiting, and van de Beek pretty much played all season for Jong Ajax until they were ready for the first team. I don't think you can expect good performance if the team's roster is constantly being jerked around.

[SPL]

Away to Helmond Sports and of the 7 starters v Eindhoven on Friday ,3 are with the 1st and 4 with U19 CL. Subs on Friday Messori and Unuvar together with Steur also with U19.Hence a weak squad again .

Reverson,Appiah,V d Lans,Amour,Butera,Peters, Chourak,Vink,O'Niel,Konadu.Wolff

subs Setford,Kalokoh,Z Ouazane plus U19 players, Romers,Abidgaard,Kasanwirjo,Tilborg, De Falco (the last 3 uncontracted also Amour )

We are concentrating on the U19 CL but we thus put out weak sides like tonight . Jong Ajax regulars play for the U19 in CL and average uncontracted U19's play in Jong . Sorry I think this is crazy. Our Jong squad at full strength is not on the same planet as when Frenkie,Donny,Appie and Matthis played back in 2017

[SPL]

We lost 2-1 ,they scored 2 goals either side of Ht but Kalokoh pulled 1 back on 76 but we could not find another.

Kasanwirjo replaced Appiah at Ht and later on Romers,Ouazane,Kalokoh and Abildgaard replaced Peters,O'Niel,Konadu Wolff

We are still 19th 2 points clear of Vitesse who have 3 games in hand. We have 4 more to the break and next up Vitesse. Good news 3 of the 4 we should be able to pick at full strength but MVV , one place above us will be played just after Qarabag U19 CL

[SPL]

Home to Vitesse Heerkens,Appiah,Johnson, Muzungu,Butera,Peters,Vink,Chourak,O'Niel,Konadu,Unuvar

subs Setford,Kasanwirjo,Jetten,V d Vaart,Kalokoh,Wolff, Messori, A and Z Ouazane

Unuvar looks like he will be on the wing but he should be striker as Konadu never scores.Messori should get more time on the wing

[SPL]

We won 2-0 2nd win of the season and 1st since August. Vitesse now bottom but 2games in hand.Konadu finally got a goal in the 1st half and O'Niel the 2nd early in 2nd half and we held on .

Subs used Kasanwirjo,Jetten,V d Vaart,Z Ouazane and Messori all in the 2nd half.Appiah,Butera,Vink,O'Niel and Unuvar replaced.

A great confidence boast by this win.

[SPL]

About to play Almere. Heerkens,Appiah,Johnson, v d Lans, Butera,Peters,Chourak,Vink, O'Niel,Konadu, Unuvar

subs Setford,Kasanwirjo,Muzungu,V d Vaart,A and Z Ouazane,Messori,Kalokoh,Wolff,Nash

[SPL]

A crazy 3-2 defeat ,we went into Et 2-1 ahead but gave away 2 goals in ET . Rijkoff put them ahead in the 1st half but all the action came from 80th min.We scored through Konadu they then missed a penalty but A Ouazane scambled a goal on 86 mins to make it 2-1 . Almere then scored 2 goals in Et to win 3-2

subs in 2nd half,A .Ouazane,V d Vaart,Nash,Muzungu and Wolff for Chourak,Vink,O'Niel, Konadu Unuvar

Terrible defending cost us 3 points. This is now half way and we have got 12 points from 19 games.

[SPL]

Just ko away to MVV ,who are only a couple of places above us. Its now the start of the 2nd half of the season and we finished bottom at halfway.

Reverson,Appiah,Johnson, v d Lans,Butera, Peters, A Ouazane,Vink, O'Niel,Unuvar, Chourak

subs Setford,Kasanwirjo,Muzungu,Jetten,V d Vaart,Nash,Kalokoh,Z Ouazane, Wolff

[SPL]

Lost 2-1 and now looking at a big gap to 18th. Vitesse only 2 points clear in 19th but they have won 26 points in 19 games and only 19th due to points deduction.

MVV scored first Unuvar got us back level on the hour mark and then Reverson who was being blocked pushed and kicked the guy and it was a penalty and that was it.

subs used Muzungu,Nash,Wolff,Kalokoh,V d Vaart replaced Butera,Vink,Ouazane,V d Lans and Unuvar

Jong Ajax are not good enough for this league on current results

[SPL]

Home to RKC , last game before the break.

Heerkens,Appiah,Johnson,Muzungu,Butera,Peters, A.Ouazane,Chourak,O'niel,Unuvar,Wolff

subs Setford, Kasanwirjo,Jetten,Frankel,Vink,v d Vaart,Kalokoh,Messori

A very sad story concerning Mark Verkuijl ,his girlfriend was knocked down and killed by a car last week whilst out running . They were looking to buy their 1st house together. Sad story and his Jong team mates are reported to be devastated for him .

[Orange14]

0-1 at the half. Unuvar with a really bad decision in the Ajax half with a easily intercepted back pass. Defenders just standing around as the RKC player gets a free shot on goal from the top of the 17 yard box. There are talented players on the JA side but they too often make really bad decisions when they have the ball and are constantly getting into trouble.

[Orange14]

It ends 0-2 and was really awful. JA players seem to be just phoning everything in. Lots of weak passes that were easily intercepted and too many players wanted to be heroes, carrying the ball into double and triple team situations. It's no wonder they are down so low in the table. I know there are a lot of players who might be in this squad but are either with the first team or on loan but that should not be an excuse. These kids have a chance to prove themselves but are doing a pretty bad job of it. Not sure I want to waste any more time watching these matches.

[SPL]

Clearly they did not seem mentally ready for this game due to the death . They are now bottom and could well finish in that position. If Almere get promoted and Jong Almere ,now 4th in Div2 and 5 points off 2nd,finish in the top 2 then we will be relegated.

Have to say if Ajax want to sell Steur then we may as well close down our academy.

For those who dont follow the game subs used Kasanwirjo,Jetten,V d Vaart,Kalokoh,Messori for Johnson,Butera,Peters,Unuvar Wolff

[SPL]

Away to AZ and points badly needed as we are bottom

Heerkens,Appiah,v d Lans,Muzungu,Butera,Peters, Chourak, A Ouazane, O'Niel,Vink,Nash

subs Setford,Kasanwirjo,Johnson,Alders,V d Vaart,Abdulla,Messori,Kalokoh,Wolff,Z Ouazane.

Unuvar and Jetten missing ,either injured or maybe in the 1st team for the cup!! Abdulla a16 year old Mf promoted from U19 ex PSV and already under contract.

[SPL]

A 2-1 win good start to 2026. An OG and penalty either side of HT,they got one on 88mins but we held on.

subs used Johnson,Alders,V d Vaart,Wolff and Abdulla his pro debut for V d Lans,Appiah,Chourak, Nash and Ouazane

Not sure how many of these are going to make it , Johnson and Nash ,certainly Ouazane and Abdulla has much promise .The rest very ordinary.

[SPL]

Just ko home to Roda Reverson, Appiah,V d Lans,Muzungu,Butera,Johnson,Chourak,Peters, O'Niel,Vink, Nash

subs Setford,Jetten,v d Pavert,Abdulla,Z Ouazane,Ibrahimovic,Messori,Wolff,Kalokoh, v d Vaart

Chourak is joining Kalmar Sweden this month so assume this is his final game. Jetten is not signing a new contract and in his last 6 months so appears to be left on the bench.

Butera , Belgium lad who had a long injury now starts as LB but he too has a contract running out .

One final comment Nash now promoted and left wing instead of Wolff but we sign Ibrahimovic also aLW

[SPL]

Finished 2-2 ,we came from behind twice Peters and Chourak the scorers.Nice way to finish for Chourak. subs Jetten for Butera at Ht and then in the 2nd Abdulla,V d Pavert,Wolff and Ibrahimovic his debut . V d Lans,Chourak, Muzungu and Nash made way.

A good result as Roda are one of the better teams.

[Orange14]

I was able to watch almost all of the match. There is really not a lot of outstanding talent on this team. Peters had a great goal and is interesting to watch. He seemed to be dropping back to #6 with Johnson moving further upfield. Both Roda goals were cheaply given off of turnovers. Ibrahimovic had a YC and doesn't look to be much of a project. Doubt that Ajax picks up his contract in the summer

[SPL]

Jong game at Emmen posp so we played a friendly v Eindhoven and won 4-0 Ibrahimovic scored 2 goals.

[SPL]

About to play Willem II and with an U19 Cl in Poland this week some players not playing or starting

Heerkens,Appiah,V d Lans, Johnson,Alders, V d Vaart, Abdulla, A Ouazane, O'Niel,Vink,Z Ouazane

subs El Hani,Kasanwirjo,Muzungu,Jetten,v d Pavert,Konadu,Kalokoh,Nash

Peters due to start but was ill so Abdulla starts.

[SPL]

We won 2-1 2nd half goals from Vink and Abdulla Ouazane. Ouazane is a real talent and Grim should have put him on for Klassen yesterday for final 10 mins

2nd half subs today ,Jetten Konadu Nash and Muzungu for Alders,Abdulla, v d Vaart and Z Ouazane.We are still last but starting to get points

[Orange14]

I was able to watch the match. Their goal came following an Ajax free kick deep inside the attacking zone that misplayed several times resulting in a break away for Willem II. There was some more dicey defending in the final 10 minutes and Ajax were saved by two offsides calls. Otherwise they defended pretty well. Jinero Johnson who was at LCB today had a phenomenal run with the ball upfield slaloming through some players to set up the first goal by Vink. Johnson is an interesting player he was a DM on the U-16 team that Steur captained and was one of the standouts of the Future's Cup when they won it. He kept on growing and maybe he is better suited to the backline. The game was then tied up but Ouazane created a chance and scored a nice shot. Abdullah is interesting at #6 but I need to see more of him. I'm not impressed with Don O'Niel. It's hard to see many of these players breaking through into the first team.

[Ayman]

I agree Jinairo Johnson should be given more chances for the first team, especially at the number 6 position. Since Baas' position is untouchable and he has Van der Laans as his under study. I am disappointed with Tijn Peters, he is 19 and should have a break through in the first team by now. But he often puts on a lack lustre performance. With Ouzane coming through and Bounida already established in the first team, i can't see Peters staying at Ajax

[SPL]

Away to de Graafschap

Reverson,Appiah,V d Lans,Johnson,Butera,A.Ouazane,Peters,Abdulla,O'Niel,Vink,V d Vaart

subs El Hani,Kasanwirjo,Muzungu,Jetten,Beekman,Romers,Z.Ouazane,Kalokoh,Nash,Messori.

Ibrahimovic,Unuvar and Wolff injured so a weak forward line.

[Orange14]

I had to stop watching when it was 3-0 at the 60 minute mark. Too many soft passes and loss of the ball. I know that we have a very young team out on the pitch but they make fundamental mistakes all over the field. Ouzane is wasted on the right wing. van der Vaart is only on this team because of his last name. Maybe it is the same for Vink as I have never been impressed with him. O'Niel reminds me of Mo Darami, lots of speed and poor decision making.