❌❌❌Rebuilding AJAX❌❌❌
AJAX are looking for ways to come out of the hole they've essentially dug themselves. It seems a lifetime ago but just over two years ago in February 2022, Ajax was on the peak of its powers...
Forum Discussion
As I mentioned previously, it would be important for Ajax to get a good start to Europe, getting the most out of the first four games. Having lost the first one to Besiktas, arguably the toughest of the four, you pretty much need to win the next three. Looking better and better in the Eredivisie though.
@JustinCase0110 @thurlow885 the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
@Danimal5981 wrote:@JustinCase0110 @thurlow885 the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
I believe when the draws were made the projection was 9 points, but I feel it's very unpredictable especially with so many sides involved. I think it's gonna take a few seasons to really predict across the 3 comps to see the averages. I'd like to think beating those 3 clubs would be enough or 3 wins in general. I wouldn't like to predict projection for Top 8
@Danimal5981 wrote:the tricky thing is, in the old 4 teams in a group you could calculate how much points you'd need to advance. In this 36 league format, I could not imagine what would be enough to make at least the cut at 24th or better. If I defeat Qarabag, Lugano and Shamrock, it gives me 9 points: is that enough? Will I need a result against Slavia, Lazio, Sociedad, Tottenham? I honestly have no clue.
Same here mate. Sir Alex used to say you needed to win the home games and not lose the away games. But playing opponents just once, you can't really use that guideline anymore, can you? I mean, playing one of the absolute favourites at home, then playing a European debutant away, surely the latter would be the one where you'd expect to win the points. Bottomline, this certainly will take some time to get used to. Also counting the coefficient points, which you and I have a habit of doing. I need to learn how to do this with the new format.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Same here mate. Sir Alex used to say you needed to win the home games and not lose the away games. But playing opponents just once, you can't really use that guideline anymore, can you? I mean, playing one of the absolute favourites at home, then playing a European debutant away, surely the latter would be the one where you'd expect to win the points. Bottomline, this certainly will take some time to get used to. Also counting the coefficient points, which you and I have a habit of doing. I need to learn how to do this with the new format.
Well..., I met the requirement of not losing the (first) away game...
@CO88LER5 of course, I'd like to win every game - but realistically, one needs a path to whatever the season targets are: one of the targets is to get out of the League stage into the play-offs and I wonder how many points are required, so that it won't come to a decider against Tottenham in January 2025. Fatigue is another consideration here: I cannot play my best eleven all the time and I want to have them fit in games that it really matters - but what does that mean: do games with greater opponents take priority, or the ones where it is more likely to claim three points?
A quick response in that match. Important, once you've fallen behind. I do see goals coming often 3-4 minutes after a goal in this game, so it isn't surprising to see it again here. Too bad you couldn't make another, as this opponent was probably one of them you could/should have got 3 points against. It's not been a dream start to Europe so far.
Love the mention of Maduro here. He used to be one of my go-to guys in Career Mode, whenever I needed a versatile defensive-minded player, who was able to play both as a holding midfielder and in the heart of defence. At least that's how I remember seeing him back in the day. Him being a manager now is just another testament of me getting older, haha...
Maduro is right, by the way. A win is a win, and Ajax are on the right track with two 2-1 wins there. But if one wants to be in a title race, one also needs to win some of these games more comfortably. And the start you've had in Europe also tells a tale of a team that needs more work.
Berghuis leaving could be a concern on short term. However, if one wants to build a sustainable winning side, one shouldn't build a team around a 33 year old. You must be able to find a younger solution as replacement and build around him.
Some good results wins are wins and all equal 4 points. Shame to lose a player and fail to agree terms. As stated may not be first choice but he'd have been a good option for now to have available. Hopefully gap gets filled
Still a bit of daylight between Ajax and the top 2, but recent form will leave everyone optimistic still tho with AZ hot on heels it could be tight all the way
Finally a win in Europe! Good to see, now only trailing 2 points for the automatic progression to the Round of 16. Well done after 1-1 at half time. What's going on with FC Midtjylland in this game? They had a similar start in my save, though they did fall off a bit later on...
Best update of the game! Ajax-mascotte Lucky is in the game and he occasionally celebrates a goal with the players (see last Europa League-game)
@Danimal5981 wrote:Best update of the game! Ajax-mascotte Lucky is in the game and he occasionally celebrates a goal with the players (see last Europa League-game)
Ha, what a nice detail. I'm a big sucker for everything lifelike. The more the better.
Good form of late and another win in Europe. Seems you're doing better than the Ajax in my save.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:
@Danimal5981 wrote:Best update of the game! Ajax-mascotte Lucky is in the game and he occasionally celebrates a goal with the players (see last Europa League-game)
Ha, what a nice detail. I'm a big sucker for everything lifelike. The more the better.
Good form of late and another win in Europe. Seems you're doing better than the Ajax in my save.
Yes, but they've been against the lesser gods of the game. Sociedad and AZ Alkmaar are features that are drawing closer, that's a real indicator of where things stand.
Good on you getting the wins from those two must-win games. Now comes the real test, as you say. Looking forward to see how you come out of these games. Good stuff.
A good run of games even if as you say not all the top sides, but they are the must win games and tend to be banana skin risks. Set back against Sociedad but not a disaster.
