Ajaxtalk

A mid-table opponent.

Choosing cricket today and will watch this game later when I return.It is a lovely sunny morning here on the south coast

I’m also finding it hard to summon the will to watch it live. Maybe I’ll catch a replay tomorrow.

Rosa is starting at RCB. Itakura is out, but Sutalo is back on the bench.

I’m not sure I’m ready for a full game of a defensive lineup of Gaaei, Rosa, Baas and Wijndal.

Gloukh, Taylor and Fitz Jim in MF. So hoping to see better passing there.

Actually Berghuis is in MF with Moro at RW and Gloukh at LW

Goal! Berghuis 1-0

This was a pleasant birthday present for me!! I saw more attacking football in the first 65 minutes today than in the past two years. Maybe Heracles are really a bad team and of course they did not do any pressing whatever. Thus, it's hard to judge whether Ajax are making strides or they just might wilt against a tougher team. Regardless, it was nice to see crisp passing and players going forward with speed. 27 shots with 10 on goal is more than satisfactory in my book. Defense did not have much to do at all. Let's hope this is just the start of something new.

Player Ratings:

Jaros (5.5) - cannot grade him any higher as he didn't make a single save
Gaaei (6) - decent attacking from the flank and had some good crosses
Rosa (6.5) - filled in fine at CB and was good on the ball when he moved to RB late in the game
Baas (7) - solid again
Wijndal (7) - solid enough given he didn't have to defend, wonderful going forward and always a threat
Fitz-Jim (7) - very good passing all game long and you could see the difference when he was subbed off
Taylor (6) - I guess he was OK, but he hardly touched the ball in the offensive half
Berghuis (7) - dropped back to help build up the attack and got the match winner
Moro (6.5) - had one poor give away but otherwise was quick on the ball and with the pass
Weghorst (6.5) - some woeful shooting in the first half but was always strong when receiving a pass and finally got the goal he deserved
Oscar (6.5) - looks super quick in tight spaces and was good with the ball at his feet
Klaassen (6) - great pass to Weghorst to clinch the match but at 78 years of age, I still might be faster
Edvardsen (6) - had a couple of nice runs and a solid shot that was well saved
Mokio (NR) - on late
Sutalo (NR) - on late
Regeer (NR) - on late

Away to Volendam next Saturday

WelI I enjoyed my cricket on a lovely sunny day and great that Ajax won . Will watch the game tomorrow.

It’s nice to see Fitz-Jim playing well. Actually he’s always been good on his good days, but in the past he also had games where he couldn’t get a single touch right. I’m hoping those are gone - if so he should be in the first 11 this season.