Nothing has change in Amsterdam

I stand by my point: Ajax will be champions at the end of this season. In the past seven days, Ajax booked some amazing results: wins against AZ 1-4, wins against Dordrecht 1-2 in the Dutch cup and beats rival Feyenoord with 5-1. Man of the Week: Urby Emanuelson. Finally he is showing his capability, after long doubts by many supporters and several coaches. He had a particular part in the victory’s, with 4 amazing goals!
Although the results are good, the management of the club is still terrible. General Director Rik van den Boog said in a interview against magazine Voetbal International that Ajax is willing to make a strategic change. Because the management has recognized that the transfer policy is no guarantee for the future and therefore wants to implement structured scouting policy.

What the f***?? Did I read this good? If I’m decomposing:

1. Rethink Strategy:
If I’m correct, the strategy is based on the scouting policy. Ajax is famous because it’s one of the few teams in the world, that creates good players out of talents. It’s very disturbing that Ajax invest a lot in the own youth academy every year. The last couple of years Ajax bought a lot of players instead of train talents into potential players of the first team. That’s why I think it’s dumb to say, to rethink the strategy. Ajax must put the focus on a higher level, not to rethink.

2. Transfer policy is no guarantee for the future:
Well If you buy players who don’t fit in the team, spend almost 144 million euro’s on them, while good talents such as Rydell Poepon and Donovan Slijngard must leave the club for them, I think you’re on the good side of the track by concluding this. However, this was a problem that has been located several years ago. After Louis van Gaal left in 1997, the team put the focus on players like: Andrej Demtsjenko, Andrej Rudy, Georgi Kinkladze, Nikos Machlas, Yannis Anastasiou, Wesley Sonck, Frank Verlaat, Olaf Lindenbergh, Angelos Charisteas, George Ogararu, Albert Luque, Juanfran, Roger Garcia and Oleguer (I have plenty more).

This year the shit hits the van again. Ajax got two transfer free players, but cost a lot of money in salary. Now Ajax has to decrease a lot of contracted players, including this two (Timothee Atouba and Marko Pantelic).

The medium size rose in Ajax. If you do not know to place for the Champions League, you walk a certain income clearly miss. Now the club booked a nett loss, which means that Ajax must sell some players or Luis Suarez, to create more financial space and so not have to lean money from the bank.
In the following season, the squad has to reduce the team into 25 players. Hopefully with Luis Suarez!

3. Structuring Scout Policy:
"Through the network of Hans van der Zee and focus on other continents such as Western Europe, USA and South Africa Truly".

Hans van der Zee has been over two years in the scouting staff of Ajax. Still booked no results? Hereby I send my job-application at Ajax!!! It seems to be working easy there, I want to work their two!!! En then the continents. For years Ajax has a partnership with Ajax Cape Town. Yielded only two viable players: Steven Pienaar and Eyong Enoh. In all that time not worked efficient. It’s a damn shame!

Western Europe. What should I think? Belgium? Try to rehabilitate the connections with GBA Antwerp? Spain? Try to work closer with FC Barcelona? It’s about time! Italy? England? Such players are not suited for Ajax. Arsenal already educates own players. Every talent will make his debut over there. France? Like the Netherlands gives young talents chances. They also rule in Africa on the scouting. Both lost causes. Germany? Certainly buying players because Martin Jol has coached the for one year? No, I think not, although Trochowski certainly may come!

Then we arrive in Scandinavia. Can you compete with SC Heerenveen and FC Groningen! Ajax will certainly have a good chance, because of their status of the club there. USA will also not work. Has already failed with Ajax Orlando!

I suggest to try Asia as continent. There are opportunities. Many residents, so will a lot of potential in it. Try to start a Ajax Shanghai or Ajax Jakarta. Work with Urawa Red Diamond, Persija Jakarta, PSM and FC Seoul, from the other countries. These players do certainly not play for the money. Only you will pay a capital for players outside the European Union.

But Van den Boog wants to score with the Ajax audience. This is not the first time I read nonsense.
His columns/calls on Ajax.nl are full of them. Stay in the background and rule business quitly! I really wish back, to the times of Michael van Praag. Under his supervision became Ajax a top club again.
By vigorously act behind the scenes, and appeared in the publicity if needed, was calm and mostly within the club to display. I hope that he will return one day!

Until now, nothing has changed in Amsterdam, Michael come back!

Vurnon Anita, the new Ajax revelation

Nowdays, my life as a supporter of Ajax, is very good. Altough my club ranks third in the league (loss in Eindhoven and two draws against Sparta and Roda JC), it don't influence my good feeling! This team shows progression! Ajax gives barely goals away and create many opportunities.

Ofcourse, it's a big advantage that a player like Luis Suarez plays for your team, but my kudo's goes to: Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Demy de Zeeuw, Eyong Enoh and Vurnon Anita. In particulair I see Vurnon Anita as the big revelation this season. He can competes with Toby Alderweireld for the big talent award. Last season he played a large part of the league at his favorite position: Right-wing midfielder (4-3-3 system). However, he played good, but always stayed in the shadow because of the "safe" tactics of former coach Marco van Basten.

This year everything is different. Under the experienced leadership of Martin Jol, takes Vurnon his minutes where ever he can. He became two time Man of the Match. The first match against VVV-Venlo as right-wing midfielder and the second match against Dinamo Zagreb as leftwing defender. His multifunctionality is superb to play at several positions at a club like Ajax. It seems that he finally will break trough this season, but it will be as leftwing defender. Good choice! He bites down into the opponent and his attacking is increasingly dangerous. We can say that Ajax finally has educated a pittbull like Edgar Davids.

But how crazy can football be? I follow the player in question since his youth in Ajax. After Clarence Seedorf, he was the youngest player ever to debut in Ajax. I can still remember one of his first matches against Bremen, because I visited the match. Ajax played his worst match that season, but Vurnon was one of the best players on the field.

Last season, he slowly made his debut as a base player for the injured Gabri. But as I said before, he stayed in the shadow and was baredly been noticed by the supporters. I think it's because of the former coach. The barriere between him and the squad led to a big doubts at the players. They saw, that once they didn't play good, they could watch the next match from the bench.

His worst game was against PSV, where he he was overrun by Ibrahim Afellay. But then again, Afellay played his best match ever that day. I am wondering whether it will happen again! In any case, Ajax is well to renew his contract.

The development of the player can be matched against the performance of the team. That's why I am convinced that Ajax will be champion this season! After a period of six years is also about time..
That's why you can say it's arrogance, but a team like Ajax must compete for the prices!! Ofcourse, I prenounce my hope to my favourite team, just like every supporter of the club. I know that Ajax can't be champions every year. A little bit of competition is good!

But you ain't a supporter if you have no confince in your club.

Release of DEMO Football Manager 2010

Finally the release of the long expected demo is a fact! After a long time, I can finally play my beloved game. My first impressions:

Positive:

- Lay-out, the design is very stylish;

- Speed, I don't have to wait for useless news;

- Realism, every fact is related to news of some clubs (like transfer ban Chelsea)

Negative:

- The demo only have quick starts, wich concludes all the big leagues accept the Dutch league;

- The demo also uses a short database. That's why I can't scout talents in Holland.

At this moment I play with Manchester United. After eight matches, the team positions second on the list. I had an transferfee of 100 million euros (income C. Ronaldo). I spend it on Maxi Rodriquez, Luis Suarez, Rafael van der Vaart, Diego Godin, Gregory van der Wiel and Diego Arismendi.

Altough I don't play on regular conditions, I can stand with this game until the release of the official game. Let the days strike by...!!!

Luis Suarez stays at Ajax

Saturday night was the home match against Willem II. Although the full selection had trained together for only one day, Ajax won the match with 4-0. Eyong Enoh, Miralem Sulejmani, Marko Pantelic and Luis Suarez scored the goals. However the competitors FC Twente and PSV won their matches also, so Ajax stays third on the list.

Ajax Rotterdam (my nickname for Sparta Rotterdam) won also from Feyenoord Rotterdam with 2-1, so my weekend was good! The reason why I mention Sparta Ajax Rotterdam, has nothing to do with the Greek Myth. No, I think the whole team can fit into Ajax reserve team.

Rydell Poepon, who scored the first goal against Feyenoord is a former Ajax striker. He had to leave Ajax, because van Basten signed Dario Cvitanich, who doesn’t make a good impression in Amsterdam. Ajax had never let Poepon go to Sparta. Now they can buy him back, if he continues his progression. Also former Ajaxplayers Emmanuel Boakye, Donovan Slijngard and Darko Bodul also played against Feyenoord. Sparta also has big talents as Kevin Strootman, Ayodele Adeleye and Erik Falkenburg. Edouard Douplan is a better option than Bakiricioglu and Rommedahl. Anyway to cause a defeat to rival Feyenoord in better days, is always a good feeling!

Former champion AZ lost the game against FC Twente 3-2. The disadvantage has become so big, that a prolongation to the title remains just a utopia. However it appears that the future of AZ will collapse. The club falls under DSB Management, a cooperation of CEO Dirk Scheringa. It mainly feeds on income from another company that falls under DSB Management: DSB Bank, wich is claimed bankrupt. It seems that there is no positive way out, which means that the president of the club (Dirk Scheringa) loose his rights and has to sell it to another investor.

Top players of AZ have ambition and can leave the club for a reasonable price next summer. The traditional top three: Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV can contract players like Sergio Romero, Hector Moreno, David Mendes da Silva, Stijn Schaars, Maarten Martens, Rasmuss Elm, Moussa Dembele and Mounir El Hamdaoui. Hopefully the teams have enough budget on their transfers. Ajax will do well to buy Stijn Schaars. Many supporters of Ajax, think he is an asshole, because he always plays on the edge against Ajax, but they have to ignore that. Ajax seeks a captain, and Schaars can fit this role, although he has to grow of course, but his status as Dutch International will benefit him!

Stijn Schaars currently plays, just like many other AZ players, under their normal level. However, when he played last weekend with the Dutch national squad against Australia, he played as good as normal. Fact: his partner on the midfield against Australia was Demy de Zeeuw. These two can find each other blindly. This is a oppertunity for Ajax! Currently playing besides de Zeeuw at Ajax, is Cameroon player Eyong Enoh. He is a great talent, but takes many unnecessary yellow cards. Gabri is a good second option. I appreciate his defensive aspects, but has no personality to lead a squad despites his experience. With all due respect, he is a good player to sit on the bench.

If Piotr Trochowski doesn’t sign a contract in Amsterdam, Moussa Dembele would be a good option. However, I think he will leave to PSV or to a foreign club. Lucky for many supporters, Luis Suarez declared that he doesn’t want to leave Amsterdam this winter. This sounds for many people as music in the ears, but I could told you that this summer. It’s not that I spoke with the man in person about it, but based on facts I can conclude it.

Many European clubs are willing to sign Suarez, and the big money for the player beckons. However I don’t think Suarez is sensitive for that aspect. He wants to play and wants to mean something for a team. Money comes later, and his salary at Ajax isn’t also that bad. He wants to reach the top, and as captain of Ajax he grows as player. Besides, a transfer in the winter can also be negative. Former Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar knows everything about that. The competition at the top is bigger than at a club like Ajax. If a player doesn’t perform in short time, a new player already looks around the corner.

His status at this moment, is good enough to let teams like Milan and Barcelona be interested. But that doesn’t guarantee him to play as much matches as possible. If he personally helps Ajax to win the Dutch league, it will influence his status positively. Because his contract runs until 2012 in Amsterdam, the technical staff can ask a reasonable price for him, but the big question remains: does Ajax really want to sell Suarez? The club have to earn money to solve the negative loss, that appeared this week. But can help 30 to 40 million euro back on top? The history proves the opposite.

Ajax must convince Suarez to stay another (half) season, if they will play Champions League (CL). Then Ajax can reach high eyes at the biggest competition of the world. After 6 long years, it finally must happen again. Ajax with Suarez can fulfill this goal together! Why?

• Luis can only grow at Ajax trough playing CL matches. He can show the world what a great player he is, before going to a European top team.


• Luis will play all matches in the CL for Ajax. Chances are, that he will watch the game from the bench at another team.


• Luis will play in a better Ajax. The team has grow, and based on the current season, Martin Jol also will be coach next season.


• Ajax will have more money to spend on reinforcements (Boulahrouz, Schaars and Trochowski??). A team who plays CL, will be a interesting option for a player.


• Luis as captain, can recommend or advise any Uruguay reinforcements to the club. I think of players like: Diego Godin (Villareal), Leandro Cabrera (Atletico Madrid), Juan Albin (Getafe), Nestor Muslera (Napoli), Diego Arismendi (Stoke City), Christian Rodriguez (FC Porto), Jonathan Urretavizcaya (Benfica) or Gonzalo Baretto (Danubio FC).


• Luis age is now at 22. When he will leave Ajax in 2011, he will be 24. A reasonable age to head off to Spain, England or Italy. He still has a one year old contract, who can deliver Ajax some money.

Hopefully he will resign his contract with an extension of one year. It’s just a utopia, but still very realistic. Ajax only has to cherish his biggest player of this moment. The way to the top is closer than many thinks!

Hiddink wants to mean something for Ajax

Guus Hiddink, one of the most successful Dutch coach, would like to do something for Ajax. At least, that's what he said to magazine "Sportweek". Hiddink relates to PSV, he was successful with the club for many years. In the past, Ajax attempted to sign him, but it ended unsuccessfully. Now he has given a sign to the club out of Amsterdam.

I am very pleased with this news, only I wonder what sort of work he will fullfill? With Martin Jol as coach, Ajax plays good football and the team daily grow. So this can be seen as a application for the future on long term. The only job that I can imagine, is as Technical Director. But Hiddink is more a people manager, who can put the best out of players. That's why he belongs on the field. Besides, he still has a contract with the Russian Football Federation.

Another coach who was in the news again, is Louis van Gaal. The current Bayern Munich coach, told to the media that player Gregory van der Wiel is out of his scoutlist. The succescoach was very positive about van der Wiel, until the player became bad news about his twitter affaire.
That's why I'm very glad that Jol expresses confidence in the player. Hopefully he will be playing some more years in Amsterdam.

I feel that there are great times to come to. After Khalid Boulahrouz has declared its willingness to play for Ajax and Piotr Trochowski interest in becoming more concrete, will soon be a large number of players nominated are to leave. Players who really can add to Ajax. Players from current champion AZ Alkmaar can make a realistic step to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Ajax needs Stijn Schaars and maby Moussa Dembele or Mounir El Hamdaoui.

I also want to see Edson Braafheid and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar at Ajax. The defender choosed Bayern Munich before Ajax this summer, but can't rely on many minutes. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is out of form and that's why the media in Italy claimed that AC Milan would like to get rid of the Dutch Striker. Because he couldn't make it at Real Madrid and (hopefully not) at AC Milan, the step to a big club is too much for him. It's better to play for a club like Ajax, then (with all do respect) a club like Tottenham, Everton or else).

The bankruptcy of the DSB Bank will respond quite well in AZ. If I can believe the media, the club remains out of range. However it is well known that the president has to move much money from his organization in order to build a club. This is crumbling now, so midfielder Stijn Schaars can now be a very interesting option for Ajax. I wait with baited breath!

Terrible footballgame

While time strikes (I'm waiting for ages to finally have Football Manager 2010), I fill my boring live, with playing onlinesoccermanager. You must pay € 15,-, if you want to play with your favourite team :S. So because I can't play with Ajax, I played with FC Utrecht. My target to end on the sixth position, and I made it!

Now I'm playing in the Primera Division with Villareal. I sold a lot of players, and bought mostly Uruguayan players. My favourite player is Luis Suarez, he will become a great player! Villareal has also Uruguayan players, like: Sebastian Eguren and Diego Godin.

My team at the moment:


At this moment I'm scouting Edison Cavani from Palermo! I also want to scout Jonathan Urretavizcaya en Maximiliano Pereira from Benfica, Alvaro Pereira en Jorge Fusile from Porto, Hugo Arismendi from Stoke City.. but the damn game doesn't have the Portugese competition or players like Amodio en Bogliacino from Napoli in their scoutingslist. Still 19 days to go...

A quiet week in Amsterdam

The first match for all Internationals of Ajax are played. The Dutch national squad draw against Australia (0-0), the reserves of Holland won against Finland (0-1), Jan Vertonghen won with Belgium from Turkey (2-0) and Luis Suarez made scored and wins against Ecuador (2-1). Without a large amount of Internationals on their way to play the second match, the small team in Amsterdam trained in all peace.

But then the media blow the story about Gregory van der Wiel up. The young rightwing defender got a lot of critise, including the coach of the national team Bert van Marwijk, after he visited a lil Wayne concert with college's Timothee Atouba and Kenneth Vermeer, while he's canceld the invitation for the national team.

My opinion: let the boy be a normal person. He can't play with a concusion, because physical contact can make a concusion worse. A concert doesn't. Maby it's not right with a concusion, but a rapper like lil' Wayne won't visit the Netherlands very often. What he does in his private life, is up to him. The only thing that wasn't smart: sending a text message to one of his friends (could be Ryan Babel or Vurnon Anita)', thrue Twitter.

Footballplayers who use twitter! Another thing that's bothering me, is the fact that everyone has a opinion about this subject. Many people (especially the media) are critise the players that, do use it. What's the problem about that? They are normal persons, just like you and me. Let them act normal and never mind the way they write eachother. It's a big plus that they are giving us a view of their lives. Altough I'm good friends with one of the football players (if I want to know something personal then I already got an answer), I think everyone may know what they are doing. While the performance is not affected, it should be!

The media also inteprets a big Ajax icon as Louis van Gaal wrong, by heading that his love with Ajax cooled down. It's all about the autobiography that he released. In his book he dedicated three pages of his life, about the break with his former friend Ronald Koeman.
Van Gaal wanted to end his career at Ajax, when he signed as Technical Director (purchase players and follow the structure of the club).

After a clash with former head-coach Ronald Koeman, Ajax resigned him from his duty. Well I can imagin that the love is cooled down. If it's a actual love, then if the Woman leaves the man or otherwise, the love has cooled down. But it also includes that the love isn't over! Louis van Gaal (now head-coach of Bayern Munich) still respects the supporters of the club, the respect is mutual. The former management was terrible, but that all has changed!

But now something positive. Martin Jol said against Voetbal International that he contacted HSV Hamburg player Piotr Trochowski. If everything goes well, the 25 year old rightwing midfielder/forward comes around the winterbreak.

I have a very positive feeling about this story, so I think he will be the next player for Ajax Amsterdam. The images that I've seen on tv are good. He fill's in the TIPS model perfect! His age is also perfect for a European topplayer. That means he has still potentional to evolve to a "Big" player!

Compilation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wqE3YkcObU

My first appologize!

Tuesday should have be the second day, where my football philosophy is completely free rein to give. But if professional workmen are taking a nap during their work... The last two days I had no internet at my disposal so I could not follow the news, let alone write a blog.

Well, after a long time was finally so far! At last!! I was once free on a Tuesday morning, a solid day for the selection of Ajax Amsterdam, taking under the watchful eye of the public, train. Actually outrageous if you ask me!, The club distanced itself from the loyal supporters through this measure. In Rotterdam, the club is open to her supporters. Think about that! Everyday must be accesible for Supporters!!!!!!!

Afterwards I still regret it too! Not so much because of the cold weather, but more because all internationals missing. That I may know, but on the other hand, as often I am not Free!
The highlight of the training: the return of Gabri, who has been out of circulation some time.
The training also gave little information away. The spectators looked better after the next pitch, where some talent had to finishing on the goal. Once a wasp (yes even during the cold) in my bag flew and stung me in my thumb, I decided to leave.

So a disappointing impression of the training. Once at home, it was time for my share of football news. Turns out the internet lied down. I see true my mobile, RKC Waalwijk heading for bankruptcy. I think it's a misery. The club has good talent and trained under Martin Jol was a phenomenon in the league (see previous blog). The debt amounts to 2 million euros and that is a very low amount, given such transfer fees like Ajax.

RKC will be well advised to Benjamin after the Ceulear leave this winter and made the transfer now to toast. The captain is the most attractive option for many major league team. Given his age and position, it will be no reinforcement for Ajax. This applies well to Charlison Benschop. I think the 20 year old striker is a great talent and can make steps with Ajax. Sales of both players can at least bring EUR 1.5 million. This remaining debt amount can be solved by selling left forward Derk Boerrigter. Good player for FC Utrecht, if they should lose Dries Mertens (hopefully to Ajax).

Ajax have managed to contract a young Korean forward: Suk Hyun June. He has managed to earn a contract, on its own initiative, after he had filed an internship. If the technical makers see something in him, then I have to believe it. But will it? I wonder. Will mainly be contracted for commercial aspects.

Furthermore, the open flirtation with Ajax, had lead to no results for Khalid Boulahrouz. The media said Ajax was mutual flirting, but he has heard nothing from the ArenA. I hope again that the short term turns out well. Boulahrouz is a killer and therefore always welcome in Amsterdam!!!

Boulahrouz stays open for Ajax

Finally news that hits my G-spot! Dutch central defender, who also can play as right-wing back gave an interview to magazine Helden. He revealed that he would like to play for Ajax.

After the transfer from Thomas Vermaelen to Arsenal was made, coach Martin Jol wanted a new central defender. The current defence wasn't good enough, players like Oleguer and Rob Wielaert where no positive reinvorcements.

The relationship was soon established with Khalid Boulahrouz. Martin Jol tributed Boulahrouz in his progression at RKC Waalwijk. Boulahrouz soon became a powerfull defender that made an transfer to HSV Hamburg (Bundesliga, Germany). He also became a Dutch International player.

I also hoped for a positive ending, but the transfer never made trough. This season he still playes for VfB Stuttgart (Bundesliga, Germany). But this news, taste for more. I still hope that he will make a transfer this summer. He gives Ajax some more options in the defence, now Oleguer and Wielaert are being passed by Jol. Only Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are the only defenders who can reach to a good level. But if one is injured, then the defence will be very weak.

But what if Boulahrouz comes to Amsterdam? Does this effect the team? I think so, because the current duo Vertonghen and Alderweireld are playing well together. Ajax has a few goals against. Once Boulahrouz arrives, he needs time to get used to the players, system and most important: cooperation with Alderweireld or Vertonghen. One of the players will be the victim. Vertonghen can play as defensive midfielder, but I think he better develop in the defence. Alderweireld is a big talent and he playes very good and is one of the revelations in the "Eredivisie".

However, a Dutch international in the team is always positive. His status as a kannibal will be a relief for the team. A worthy follower of Jaap Stam. Besides, Ajax will make a good impression to the fans, to build on a strong qualitative team. Only hope that Suarez will stay another year, so he can play with Ajax in the Champions League. Hopefully with Khalid Boulahrouz.