Redemption arc could start at Deventer

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What now?!

Wounded and conflicted. These are the words that sum up Ajax at the moment after an emotional defeat to Feyenoord at home where a win could have given them a pivotal foot in the Eredivisie title race.

It was not a one-sided affair. Both sides dealt blows but Feyenoord just held their nerve. Ajax’s title chances look very much in doubt.

They look a calamity on the pitch. They also look a calamity in the board room.

John Heitinga seems like he has run out of ideas. The clock is ticking and Heitinga had an open canvas all season to steak a claim to keep the job full time beyond the summer. This is now also in doubt.

Although they still have season grace with a spot in the KNVB semis, the same level of performances won’t get them any closer to the final.

Time to flip the switch. Start again. Ajax face Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer on Sunday and it is a chance to go on a run again and get momentum.

Go Ahead Eagles

In the Eredivisie, Eagles have only won two of their four games including a 4-1 drubbing to SC Cambuur who have only won four games this season.

Ajax are second on 55 points and Eagles are in 12th place on 29 points.

The head-to-head stats paint a picture. In their last five encounters, both teams have won once and share three draws.

Ajax cannot afford to leak points and Eagles beat Ajax at the exact same ground in late February last season.

Kudus is still continuing to wow the critics and cement his star in European football. With every minute on the pitch, his potential transfer fee increases.

Ajax have a dirty habit of letting players go and making a profit but they are in no position to do so now. Kudus is pivotal to whatever rebuild and manager they bring in in the summer. He currently sits on four goals and two assists from his last five games.

Steve Berghuis also sits on two goals and two assists from his last five games.

Dusan Tadic man. He’s been firing on all cylinders too. He has registered a whopping 15 assists and eight goals in his 23 games.

Bobby Adekanye is the Eagles most potent weapon. He has racked up six goals and four assists in the league this season. The right winger will be one to watch out for having also come through the Ajax academy.

What’s the narrative?

Get the dub. Go on a run and get the squad performing. What else?

The results and form of the team has been such a yo-yo. This isn’t even including the off the field politics.

Ajax may have been dealt a heavy blow in their loss to Feyenoord before the international break for their title hopes. There might still be hope but it is still worth playing for pride towards this end of the season.

How can they fix this mess? How can they make it happen?