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Van Gaal: Survival is key!

March 12th, 2008 | By: Jan | 8 Comments »

Louis van Gaal proved to be a realist: “I can see where we are. And yes, we do look up on the standings but also down. We could get in trouble here, and we should do all we can to avoid it. AZ is in a vicious circle at the moment. We need to break out. If we can do that soon and get a good series of results going, we can still become number 9, and therefore participate in the play-offs and secure UEFA cup football. But it will be very tough.”

He also stated that the club still supports him. “But again, one needs to be realistic. It’s getting tougher and tougher. And I realize that.”

Van Marwijk: “It was a victory we needed. At this moment, it came as a gift. I normally don’t talk in terms of deserved or undeserved wins, I don’t believe in that stuff, but this one…well, we deserved it. We fought hard, worked like dogs and even played good football in the first half.”

Tags: AZ, de Guzman, Feyenoord, Group C, Oranje, The Netherlands, van Gaal, Van Marwijk

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Comments

By Genio | March 14th, 2008 at 3:15 am

Few seasons back I remember reading an article by Ernst Bouwes that says AZ has joined the ranks of Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV as part of the Big Four in the Netherlands. Are they still regarded this way (or were they ever regarded so highly)?

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | March 14th, 2008 at 3:49 am

I do think everyone saw it like that. Everyone likes/liked AZ because of the fab playing style. Real Dutch school, you know? And today, AZ – Feyenoord is still considered to be a top match, even though AZ is in the slumps. They still have a number of internationals and young talents. And a great coach. And a rich owner. And a great new stadium. So yeah…

Posted from Australia

By Genio | March 16th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

That’s good to hear Jan I hope they come back in style next season. That would surely add more excitement to the Dutch league.

Posted from Singapore

By dirk v.d berg | March 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm

I think Alkmaar’s just going through a rebuilding season. Having de Zeeuw on the team is a big boost, they could probably sell him to a big club this summer, and get some money, for more youth players. The same applies for Boy Waterman.

Posted from Canada

By Jan | March 17th, 2008 at 3:03 am

I don’t think so. They rebuild their team every year. The causes for this season’s downfall are:

1. they sold two goal scoring machines and got two talents back that are less prolific

2. they lack experience (Gabri, Davids, Van Bronckhorst)

3. they miss some keyplayer due to injuries (Martens, Schaars)

4. they suffer from the “not-winning-the-title-blues-last-season”

Posted from Australia

By dirk v.d berg | March 17th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

I guess Alkmaar are missing Arveladze and Koevermans. Does anyone know anything about this Ari guy that plays for them. Or whether they have any real strikers?

Posted from Canada

By simon | March 17th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Ari came from Brazil to Sweden… did about one and a half season there… great player except for one thing; he scored few goals and that seems to be the case in AZ as well.

By Jan | March 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pm

Yeah, these guys can play well but lack the instinct of a killer. Koevermans wasn’t a highflyer when young. He struggled to get a starting spot at Sparta. Van Gaal signed him at AZ as pinchhitter, but the guy has that killer-gen. Like Huntelaar, Ruud, Gerd Muller, Batistuta, Shearer… Ari, Pelle and Dembele need someone in the box to finish. Big mistake by Louis.

Posted from Australia

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