PSV reigns, Feyenoord embarrassing, Heerenveen magic

After the so-called superweek, it’s clear that boring PSV - now led by Sef Vergoosen - is the boss in the Eredivisie. They easily defeated Ajax and last Saturday Van Gaal’s AZ was too weak. PSV won 2-0, effective as they are. They get four chances and score two. AZ, which didn’t even play that bad, was left with nothing. They had at least as many opportunities, maybe more, but AZ forgot to score. To me, it’s clear: the AZ gameplay is very reasonable. Good individual skills, mentality ok, speed, agility, you name it… But they lack the killers in the box… Like…let’s say…Danny Koevermans?

Ajax wasn’t able to break PSV down. Too sloppy, lacking courage, not tight enough… So, with arch-enemy Feyenoord coming to visit in the Arena, coach Adrie Koster had some work laid out for him… Well…helped by a very very (did I say very?) lacklustre Feyenoord, Ajax started the match on acid, and never took their foot of the pedal. Unbelievable. In the first 5 seconds in the game, Huntelaar got his first chance (he missed) and Ajax kept on coming. Sometimes, it was as if we went back in time to 1995. Ajax played with new signing Rasmus Lindgren on David’s spot. Lindgren was developed at Ajax, but regarded “not good enough” and has been sold to FC Groningen. The young Swede impressed weekly and now Ajax signed him again. But, Lindgren indeed is asset to Ajax. He plays simple and direct, great positioning, fantastic functional technique and an eye for space. He was involved in all Ajax’ goals. John Heijtinga (why doesn’t he play like this in Oranje?????) was the man of the match, as far as I’m concerned. He scored the first after a beautiful shimmy. Ajax got more chances but it took Huntelaar till the 45th minute to score the 2-0, after a superb run and cross by Gabri. In the second half, Ajax geared up a notch. Feyenoord was hopeless, pathetic and nowhere to be seen… Ajax reigned the match and could have scored 4 easy goals if they used a bit more finesse. The so-called end-pass wasn’t too great and Feyenoord was spared a public humiliation. Huntelaar did score the 3-0 in the last minute, assist by Lindgren.

Didn’t Feyenoord have anything? Two long-distance strikes by Landzaat in the first half. Nothing in the second. Nothing… It was unbelievable. I am a Feyenoord fan and I have seen at least 50 Ajax-Feyenoords/Feyenoord-Ajax’s in my time, but never ever have I seen Feyenoord this weak. The only positives were Henk Timmer (keepers secretly like these games) and Leroy Fer, the 18-year old debutant on right back. Defensively, it was pure horror. No communication, no drive… No “over my dead body mentality”. Rinus Israel and Theo Laseroms would be thoroughly ashamed. Midfield was overrun by Ajax’ midfield and Makaay and Slory didn’t receive any decent ball or pass.

Even the 8-2 loss in 1983 wasn’t as bad as this. In that match, it was still a even game until Ajax scored the 3-2. Then, Feyenoord played all or nothing (and it became nothing…). Although Feyenoord would go on and win the title that year. That won’t happen this season…

When Van Marwijk was asked if this gap between PSV would be too big to become champions, his reply was: if you play like this you don’t deserve to become champions… He was livid!

Heerenveen, in the meantime, played Vitesse and won 7-0. And I have to say, Vitesse didn’t even play that bad… But Heerenveen plays football from another planet, right now. It has everything. Speed, combinations, individual strength, killers in the box…and…this is all without Alvez even… Heerenveen takes up the second spot in the Eredivisie now and plays PSV next week… I think PSV is in for some bad weather next weekend… Stay tuned….