How We Got Here…
By: Matt | November 18th, 2008
Back on 5 October, after a difficult defeat at the hands of Heerenveen (a team we usually own), I am sure we were all pretty discouraged. Since that match, however, Ajax has taken all the points in six straight matches. What happened?
First, here is what did not happen. Ajax did not suddenly get healthy. In fact, injury problems have gotten worse.
During the last six matches, Ajax has only allowed four goals. Twente, NEC and Groningen, all solid second-tier contenders, managed nothing. PSV grabbed one, as did Heracles, while Sparta bagged a pair after the outcome had been decided.
Don’t look now, but the Ajax backline has been responsible for this run of form. Greg van der Wiel is locking up the right back spot, making Bruno Silva consider a move in January. The transfer of Oleguer is actually looking to be a solid investment, and his partner in the back is continuing to grow. Vermaelen is looking like a solid defender, and the injury issues that have always been his primary problem have so far have fallen on other players. Jan Vertonghen looks less like a midfielder and more like a left back all the time. All this, and Maarten Stekelenburg has been missing for weeks. We now know who will eventually replace Steks, though, as Kenneth Vermeer has proven his junior national status is no fluke.
Sure, the banged-up midfield and attackers are coming up with their customary moments of brilliance, and I cannot say enough about Eyong Enoh, but the quality of the backline has carried us through the injury crisis. I dunno if they have the talent and skill to carry us all the way to a title, but from what we have seen from Suarez and Sulejmani, I doubt they will have to.
Category: Team News
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Good point, though I think Urby deserves mention at LB as well, even if he´s been moved to the mid from time to time. Were do you guys think he´s more usefull?
Posted from
United States
-
I think Urby has been playing his best at left wing up front during the time he’s gotten there during all these injuries. Once Sulejamni is back to playing 90 minutes, he’ll be the left winger and I guess Urby will move back to left mid. As a defender, he still scares me, although he has looked good there also the last couple times.
Posted from
United States -
I always prefer Urby at left back. I know he is perhaps an error-prone-only-slightly-above-average defender, but the support he can provide on the attack makes a tremendous difference. The opposition’s right side must account for him before he accounts for them.
Posted from
United States -
I thought that Hereenveen game was the end of Urby at left back. He was single-handedly–or close to it–responsible for 3 goals that day and was just dreadful. He was worse then Pieters for PSV was last week to put in perspective. But I agree with your tactical approach regarding attacking defenders in general, just not specifically to Urby, who has been great the last 2 games playing up front or at least in the mid left.
Do you really like Urby better than Vertonghnen at left back? Vertongnen just seems more solid, less error prone back there.
Posted from
United States -
I do like Urby at LB, but only because Vertonghen looks better elsewhere. He’ll become a great player wherever we play him, I expect, but I still think of him as an out-of-position midfielder filling in at fullback. Then again, Urby might be the same if I had a different set of eyes.
Maybe Urby should get an entire post someday?
Posted from
United States -
Well, I don’t think Urby can ever ever ever be as bad as Pieters!!
Posted from
United States -
Great idea about the Urby post. He reminds of Seedorf in the sense that he doesn´t fit in a position so easily as other players….
Posted from
United States
Comments are closed
Home 
