10 Things We Learned About Ajax: December Edition

By: Matt | December 20th, 2008

The end of the half-season is coming quickly now, and things are falling into shape. We know that we will head into the break no worse than third but most likely second. We also now know that Fiorentina lies ahead in the UEFA Cup, but there are at least ten other things we also know.

1. Marco van Basten is a fast learner. I am not saying he is going to win the title or the Cup or anything like that. The jury might still be out, but we now know that he can make a quick adjustment to managing a club after a fairly successful stint leading the Oranje. He has settled in nicely, and he seems poised to lead the club in a good direction. I only have one complaint against him …

2. Klaas Jan Huntelaar will not go down as a club legend. I do not care how well he does at Real Mardid, and I do not care if he wins a World Cup with the Oranje. He left Amsterdam before winning anything of value with Ajax, and he left midseason while wearing the armband (which he never should have been given).

3. AZ, and not PSV, are the strongest team in the eredivisie. I expected a drop in results for the Eindhoven side, but this is ridiculous. Meanwhile, van Gaal’s warriors are flying high. In a few weeks, however, I am going to start bringing up the fact that they definitely know how to choke, even when leading on the last day of the season. I do not mind that Ajax has ground to make up on a potentially psychologically fragile squad. We are young and hungry.

4. Luis Suarez is fantastic. I know we knew this, but the guy can score and create. And since MvB called him out on the diving, he has been on his best behavior: sharper and more crisp. He is going to be this summer’s transfer saga, I am afraid. Deep down, I know this is not always a bad thing.

5. Ajax CT is still a totally useful satellite (although I have it on good authority they could beat us anytime, anywhere). Eyong Enoh is next next summer’s big transfer target.

6. We still have no replacement for Heitinga AND Stam, although we have one CB who can certainly fill the role. Thomas Vermaelen has been great and injury-free, which has always been his problem. Oleguer is, at best, a squad player. I don’t mind seeing him on the pitch, I just wish I did not have to see it so often. Which means…

7. Our summer transfer, while not a complete disaster, should be rated modestly above average (pending a few decisions still to be made). Oleguer is satisfactory. Enoh is brilliant. Sulejmani needs time but has not been the electric performer he was last season. And who knows about Aissati? I think we need to wait until around March to be sure.

8. The Ajax youth academy has not vanished, it is just churning out a different type of player. Who would have guessed that the biggest impact would come from two defenders and a keeper? Gregory vd Weil, Daley Blind and Ken Vermeer are not your typical academy grads, but who is complaining? (besides Bruno Silva).

9. Our recent European debacles may finally be behind us. Ajax has been strong in the UEFA Cup, and the last match saw them do what they could not do under Ten Cate: fight hard against a motivated Slavia Prague and get a result. I would liked to have won that match, but to be trailing late and yet find an equalizer should be a confidence boost. As long as Fiorentina does not hand us a 6-0 aggregate defeat, we are on our way to being credible in Europe again.

10. Ajax will challenge for a title this season. Get excited.

Super Farmers on tap tomorrow. I am probably gonna be off for a week. Enjoy the holidays.