Zzzeekin

I guess, other than the Cup result - big games in the CL coming up now though!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 7 / HOME v SEVILLA MATCH REPORT Four of our youth players featured - with 3 finishing the game on the pitch as Akif kept his spot thanks to Ramaj getting a bruised hand in the build up. But despite a wavey opening 10 minutes we dominated after that and were deserved winners. TABLE That win puts us out of automatic spots on goal difference alone heading towards our final league phase game - Home v Spurs __________ For the first time since our stadium was expanded after our CL win we sold out the ground __________ MATCH DAY 21 / AWAY v FC VOLENDAM MATCH REPORT A strange game as we failed to find our feet for the first 30 minutes as Volendam deservedly took the lead. However, a late flurry was enough to take us in all square at half time before a flash Hlynsson shot early in the second half gave us the lead that we never looked like letting slip. TABLE We play first this match day so we go 11 clear having played a game more. __________ UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 8 / HOME v TOTTENHAM MATCH REPORT This wasn't the Spurs side we beat in the Champions League final and they showed us this by missing a clear chance 18 seconds into the game as Sesko headed over from 4 yards out. Up the other end, an extended spell of possession ended in Conceicao smashing the ball wide from the edge of the box. The game was teetering, neither team willing to go all out in the first half as half time came with only two key highlights - one for each team. Despite this, we could go in at half time happy we had been the better side. As the game went on, Spurs depth became apparent as our subs were just not of the same standard and we twice nearly fell behind as Spurs took a clear foothold in the game - although we did pull a goal line clearance out of them as Sutalo headed goalwards from a corner. as the 80th minute approached, some quick feet from Unuvar got him round two Spurs players before he fed Vos on the edge of the box - only for him to smash the bar from distance. And that would be the last key highlight of the game as a close fought contest ends goalless - and with that, automatic play offs is out of reach. TABLE The first time this save we've failed to make the top 8 - and even a win would have seen us fall short of a number of teams on GD anyway. I knew when the fixture list was announced that it would be a big struggle and I was correct - but a 14th place finish is a good effort from this Ajax side. _________ Despite starting the season as a goal machine - 12 matches without a single goal is a very worrying stat indeed, one that could force our hand to drop him for a number of games. _________ MATCH DAY 22 / HOME v FC UTRECHT MATCH REPORT A dominant and comfortable win against 4th place. Rensch providing an assist akin to his usual play last season was a lovely throwback to his form last season as he sent over a perfect ball from deep for Hlynsson to tap home at the back post. TABLE 11 points clear, played one more again. _________ JANUARY REVIEW Huge CL gate receipts coupled with prize money means we only lose a measly 500,000 this month as apposed to the £6-8M we're used too. Akif Tas has impressed in the few games he's played, whilst Jaimy Kezier's average rating has put him right down the pecking order considering he was top after the first few months. Brobbey takes the top goalscorer spot with 14 goals whilst Conceicao heads up the assist chart with 9. The elephant in the room is the penalty loss to Willem II, a fixture we have failed to win twice now this season - and one that caused quite a bit of upset within the squad. 4 points in our final 2 CL games was a good return but even two wins wouldn't have been enough to get us into the top 8. A clean sweep in the Eredivisie gives us a solid 8 point lead at this stage. __________ KNOCK OUT PLAY OFF ROUND DRAW We get a favourable draw in Marseille. Will be difficult over two legs but winnable - we avoid the big guns. __________ FEBUARY PREVIEW A quieter month but no less important as a massive Champions League double header against OM takes center stage. __________ BREAKING TRANSFER NEWS With the emergence of Joost Post as well as his potential we decide to let Gooijer leave when the offer game in. Whilst he was marginally better than Joost currently, this opens up a route into the first team for Joost Post which should allow him to fulfil his high potential sooner. Tristan Gooijer leaves having made 34 first team apperances for us, giving us 2 assists in the processes. __________ UP NEXT We travel to France for the first leg of our Champions League Knock Out tie.

After failing the club objective to win a domestic cup, we had a meeting with a good few players stating that not winning a Domestic Cup was simply not good enough. I agree - and if they did their jobs we wouldn't be in the position. After telling them to knuckle down and do better, thankfully they all agreed with me completely - except for Jaimy Keizer who reacted as though I'd threatened to kick his dog at Christmas. Not a good sign from our star youth player who has now gone 10 games without a goal and is stating how unhappy he is with me.

YOUTH INTAKE PREVIEW 2027 Whilst these don't always hold weight, this looks to be our worse intake by a country mile - lets hope the preview in wrong. __________ DECEMBER REVIEW With fewer home games we take a £6.3M loss - as expected. Player instalments offset some of the loss but we expect our end of season income to more than offset our monthly losses. Borges is our current best player this season (not including de Graff who hasn't featured much). Rensch and Taylor have struggled to hit their usual high standards this season whilst youth player Jordy Sanders is slowing starting to impress more as his game time increases. Keizer failed to score a single goal last month and as such finds his rating drop to a 7.12 average whilst Brobbey also catches him to match his 11 goal tally so far. A mixed bag of a month saw us lose away twice - one a surprise, the other less so. Bouncing back from those losses to pick up 3 wins on the bounce including a Dutch Cup away fixture against a strong FC Utrecht side has returned us to form. JANUARY PREVIEW A big month for all competitions. Tough Eredivisie games against FC Twente & FC Utrecht. A massive Dutch Cup fixture against a side we have lost against once already as well as two crunch Champions League fixtures against Sevilla and Spurs, two games that are must win. A big month to come. __________ MATCH DAY 20 / HOME v FC TWENTE MATCH REPORT The return of Hato and Ramaj was a major boost for us as we dominate the game start to finish and end with a comfortable win thanks to a Brobbey hattrick. TABLE Feyenoord pick up the 3 points to keep the gap on us. __________ Taylor's contract was due to run out 2028 so we took the option to tie him down before he attracted offers from elsewhere. __________ DUTCH CUP THIRD ROUND / AWAY v WILLEM II MATCH REPORT Starting to believe that we are infact cursed. A dominant display from start to finish but yet we somehow failed to find the net despite an xG of over 2.00. Penalties were quickly upon us and as we scored our first 4 - Akif Tas pulled off a save to put us one penalty away from advancing. Up steps Conceicao, who failed to score his penalty and at that moment I knew full well we wasn't winning this shootout. The Dutch Cup somehow eludes us yet again for another season - it's beginning to get ridiculous now.

MATCH DAY 18 / HOME v PEC ZWOLLE MATCH REPORT The lack of a clean sheet was the only sour point in an otherwise dominant display. I feel whilst our starting 11 is stronger than it has ever been, our squad players have declined slightly over the seasons as youth have started to come into the fold more. TABLE PSV had their few weeks but it's back to Feyenoord as our danger men - 6 points behind us. __________ DUTCH CUP SECOND ROUND / AWAY v FC UTRECHT MATCH REPORT Travelling to 3rd place Utrecht I was always expecting a difficult game, and when they missed a clear chance within the first 30 seconds I thought I was going to have one. However, we dominated the game from then until we finally managed to take the lead. Despite them scoring their first shot in almost 60 minutes (and first on target, obviously) we managed to keep the pressure on for a dominant cup victory. Could this be our year? DUTCH CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW Its another away draw, this time pitting us against 9th place Willem II - a fixture we have already lost once this season so far. __________ MATCH DAY 19 / HOME v SC HEERENVEEN MATCH REPORT A clean sheet and a comfortable win at home - back to normal thankfully. TABLE Feyenoord drop points to give us an 8 point lead going into the Christmas break.

Not ideal - Tom de Graff becomes our No 1 for 4 - 5 weeks. _________ Our U18s is made up entirely of youth players now and have gone undefeated in 13 games this season, winning 12 of them. A solid pool of talent coming through the ranks. __________ Van de Boomen's contract was up at the end of the season and I'd been giving it til January to decide whether to renew it as he's approaching 32. Looks like this made my mind up for me. __________ MATCH DAY 17 / AWAY v AZ MATCH REPORT Despite a slow start, we found ourselves dominating the first half yet going in 1 - 0 down from their only shot on target (as per usual). That one shot on target would be their only shot on target all game as we dominated the 2nd half, missing clear cut chance after clear cut chance. Borges had a goal ruled out for offside that looked remarkably close, as well as Naci running through and having a shot saved from 2 yards out by the keeper. We take our 2nd league loss, the first time this has happened all save and we will honestly be wracking our brains wondering just how we found ourselves losing a game we dominated so much. A bitter taste left after feeling we did everything right - sometimes the game is simply against you. TABLE PSV won 1 - 0 earlier in the day to leave us 7 points clear with a game in hand - still a comfortable position. __________ UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 6 / AWAY v BENFICA MATCH REPORT Our final away game of the league phase ends in defeat as we fall to another narrow loss. We never got going in the first half and by the time we decided to play football it was too late. Another difficult loss to take, but more understandable than our last game as we were 2nd best for 70 minutes of this one. With two home games left it's now imperative that we pick up maximum points in these. TABLE That loss puts us 3 points out of automatic spots with 6 points left to play for __________

MATCH DAY 16 / HOME v N.E.C NIJMEGEN MATCH REPORT The sheer fact that we won 3 - 0 but their keeper still got MOTM shows just how dominant we were. Outclassed in every position despite ringing the changes and we can be happy with that performance. TABLE We head 9 points clear on the same games played. __________

MATCH DAY 15 / AWAY v NAC BREDA MATCH REPORT One of my most pleasing performances of the season against a side who started the game in good form and occupying 6th place in the League. A cagey first half saw us race into a 2 - 0 lead with our only 2 shots on target. mere minutes after the restart however they pulled one back via a deflected strike and I thought we was in for it - but a few instruction changes later and we dominated the entire 2nd half after that, they didn't have a single shot after their goal as we got our reward with two goals late in the game. TABLE Feyenoord win comfortably to keep the game to 6 points however we still have a game in hand. __________ NOVEMBER REVIEW Another big chunk of change gone this month as prize money and player installments dry up. Considering we're still £71M in the black so far this season I'm not too worried about these losses. The defeat in France is the only stain on an otherwise solid month as we pick up maximum points in the Eredivisie as well as win on the road in Scotland. The PSG loss was harder to take but on the face of it, they're a much stronger side and we did ourselves proud considering Man United conceded 8 there. Ignoring De Graff's 2 game heroics, Borges is our current highest average rated player. Keizer is still our top scorer this term so far with 11 goals, whilst Taylor leads the way on assists with 7. DECEMBER PREVIEW Christmas approaches as we line up for a busy month - 6 games in 18 days. Travelling to Portugal to take on Benfica is as big a game as any to try and secure an automatic place in the Champions League. Domestically, AZ is the stand out fixture in the Eredivisie - however the big one is the Dutch Cup Second Round away at 4th place FC Utrecht. A trophy that still eludes us.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 5 / AWAY v PSG MATCH REPORT My usual system in these games started off working well with PSG taking til the 20th minute to register a single shot. This did wake them up, however the only key highlight was an offside Mbappe goal and with them finishing the half with an xG of 0.24 I was happy - the issue was, we wasn't a threat on their goal at all, but I was happy to play that way. Then, the 2nd half started and we continued the same pattern - until a weak penalty was awarded and Mbappe happily dispatched it to give them the lead. With changes made and a more forceful approach given, we found ourselves with 10 minutes of possession which ended in the ref awarding us a penalty - but I just knew the second it was awarded that there was no way this was going to end in a goal. And I was right, as Boomen's Penalty was saved as we fell to a 1 - 0 defeat in France. A result that reflected their dominance, but we can certainly feel aggrieved to have played our game so well as to end in a sole penalty being the reason we lost. TABLE A couple of teams still to play could knock us out of the automatic play offs with 3 games to play.

MATCH DAY 14 / HOME v FEYENOORD MATCH REPORT A physical game, and one that was a little to much for our 4th choice LB Yasser el Aissati as he found himself sent off. Luckily it didn't affect the result as we reshaped and grabbed a 3rd goal to kill the game off. TABLE Recent wins over PSV an now Feyenoord have allowed us to open up a healthy gap at the top. __________ UP NEXT We travel to France for game week 5 of our Champions League campaign.... Paris Saint-Germain. With only 3 points separating us and the knock out spots - a result here is crucial against a PSG side who are also unbeaten in 4... and the last side to travel to Parc des Princes? Manchester United who conceded 8. Oh dear.

MATCH DAY 13 / AWAY v FORTUNA SITTARD MATCH REPORT A solid win before the International Break. Brian Brobbey has been moaning about his playing time so will be starting more game as he's scored 20+ goals every season for us and is just too important to risk losing, despite Kezier's strong form TABLE We keep going strong at the top. __________ INTERNATIONALS Jordy Sanders leads the way still with total caps but Statovic remains our only youth player to make a senior appearance. Keizer was called up again but failed to earn his first cap unfortunately.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 4 / AWAY v RANGERS MATCH REPORT A late goal conceded from the only shot on target Rangers had all game (typical) aside, it was a professional performance - one that we controlled from start to finish, and has put us in a strong positon now in the league. TABLE Guaranteed 4th even if Real Madrid wins means we are in a strong position at the mid way point. __________ Our LB slot is looking mighty abused at this point. Amour, who came in to cover the long term injury to Jorrel Hato has done the football equivalent of death as he's out for the season. Our 4th choice LB Yasser El Aissati will come in and play deputy until Hato is fit. __________

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEAGUE PHASE MATCH DAY 3 / AWAY v OL MATCH REPORT Jaimy Keizer's development over the last few seasons has been immense, I can see why he's touted as the #1 Wonderkid in the world. a 2nd hat trick in 3 games puts us in a strong position in the Champions League heading into the mid point TABLE 7 points in 9 is enough to keep us in the automatic spots. __________ £400 million in the bank but the board won't get on board with this despite the fact I've literally only used youth players since I joined the club.... __________ MATCH DAY 11 / HOME v RKC WAALWIJK MATCH REPORT A Vos double was enough to get us the 3 points - In a game that was way less comfortable than it should've been... but despite conceding from the their only shot on target as per - we held on for the 3 points in a one sided match. TABLE We - temporarily at least - retake top spot until PSV play. __________ MATCH DAY 12 / AWAY v PSV MATCH DAY In what was our first 6 - pointer of the season, we come up trumps with a driving Rensch strike deep into the game. Ruben Neves assaulting Lucas Jetten and getting sent off certainly helped in this however as we spent 20+ minutes of the game with the man advantage. TABLE 2 points clear and a game in hand - things are looking up! __________ An unfortunate injury as Jorrel Hato is our for a big chunk of the season. __________ DUTCH CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW A tough draw as we travel to FC Utrecht in the Second Round. __________ OCTOBER REVIEW Our first loss this season as the prize money and player instalments dry up. A good month with Willem II defeat being the only stain on an otherwise solid month. 3 conceded, 14 scored, 6 wins. We are in a solid position in the Champions League, and a good position in the League after we beat PSV in their own back yard. Keizer is clear as our highest performing player this season so far, and it's no surprise as his form has been nothing short of miraculous. NOVEMBER PREVIEW A much quieter month, with two massive away games in the Champions League to come however as well as a big Eredivisie game against Feyenoord. __________

Well, that must be the biggest compliment my save has had yet! Glad you're as into it as I am, hope it gives you some insight into your own save, maybe you'll get your own Jaimy Keizer!

MATCH DAY 8 / AWAY v WILLEM II MATCH REPORT 5 games in a row beating Willem II comes to an end as we taste defeat for the first time this season - in a fixture that we shouldn't be losing. We had more than enough chances but some incredible defending kept their slim lead. TABLE PSV retake top spot after drawing with Feyenoord. __________ MATCH DAY 9 / HOME v GO AHEAD EAGLES MATCH REPORT A brilliant response to our loss with a solid victory. Keizer returning to the first team with 2 goals after his injury. Only surprise at this stage was that their 2 shots on target didn't go in! TABLE PSV get the win to keep the point on us. __________ MATCH DAY 10 / AWAY v HERACLES ALMELO MATCH REPORT Our 2nd 3 - 0 win in a row, and a professional performance on the road. Keizer hits his 7th league goal in 7 games as he carries his form from last season into this one. TABLE PSV keep their noses in front as we keep up with them just about.