[Eredivisie] Feyenoord vs Ajax (1 Viewer)
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ROTTERDAM, February 4 (Eredivisie) - Holland's biggest club match of the season sees Feyenoord look to maintain their title challenge against a misfiring Ajax side whose coach Danny Blind's job may depend on the outcome.
Erwin Koeman has transformed the fortunes of Feyenoord since replacing Ruud Gullit at the helm of the underachievers, who start the weekend in second and three points adrift of Ajax.
Feyenoord have offloaded no less than 11 players during the January transfer window and Koeman announced a new homegrown recruitment policy, saying: ``It's obvious the group has become more compact.
``I think Feyenoord has to keep on looking for good foreigners but when there is nothing to choose between in terms of skills we will choose the Dutch guy. Creating a large core of Dutch players is the policy for the years to come.''
Dutch pair Ron Vlaar and Pierre van Hooijdonk are among those who joined the club during January.
Koeman was also reluctant to say his team were favourites against Ajax, saying: ``I understand many supporters see us as the favourite for the classic but you won't hear me say we are.
``The wins against PSV, AZ and Ajax earlier in the season show the team has mental strength, but Sunday's match is a whole new match.
``We have to make sure not to give Ajax the opportunity to play.''
Ruled out for Feyenoord are Alfred Schreuder (meniscus), Tim Vincken (fibula) and Sebastian Pardo (flu) while Serginho Greene is a doubt with a groin injury.
Ajax coach Blind must do without Nicolae Mitea (knee), Edgar Manucharyan (leg) and Steven Pienaar (ankle) while John Heitinga is suspended.
Blind, whose team were spanked 4-1 at home by Utrecht in their last Eredivisie match, admits his future may rest on the outcome of Sunday's match.
Blind said: ``I will only throw in the towel if I can't get the team motivated. I don't have the feeling this is the situation.
``But if we are seven points behind a play-off position we will lose our aim for the season and then it's up to the board to make a decision.''
In their 49 previous matches at De Kuip, Ajax have won 16, drawn 17 and lost 16.
Blind said: ``I don't want to put any store on those statistics.
``We often play well in Rotterdam but badly in Eindhoven against PSV.''
ROTTERDAM, February 4 (Eredivisie) - Holland's biggest club match of the season sees Feyenoord look to maintain their title challenge against a misfiring Ajax side whose coach Danny Blind's job may depend on the outcome.
Erwin Koeman has transformed the fortunes of Feyenoord since replacing Ruud Gullit at the helm of the underachievers, who start the weekend in second and three points adrift of Ajax.
Feyenoord have offloaded no less than 11 players during the January transfer window and Koeman announced a new homegrown recruitment policy, saying: ``It's obvious the group has become more compact.
``I think Feyenoord has to keep on looking for good foreigners but when there is nothing to choose between in terms of skills we will choose the Dutch guy. Creating a large core of Dutch players is the policy for the years to come.''
Dutch pair Ron Vlaar and Pierre van Hooijdonk are among those who joined the club during January.
Koeman was also reluctant to say his team were favourites against Ajax, saying: ``I understand many supporters see us as the favourite for the classic but you won't hear me say we are.
``The wins against PSV, AZ and Ajax earlier in the season show the team has mental strength, but Sunday's match is a whole new match.
``We have to make sure not to give Ajax the opportunity to play.''
Ruled out for Feyenoord are Alfred Schreuder (meniscus), Tim Vincken (fibula) and Sebastian Pardo (flu) while Serginho Greene is a doubt with a groin injury.
Ajax coach Blind must do without Nicolae Mitea (knee), Edgar Manucharyan (leg) and Steven Pienaar (ankle) while John Heitinga is suspended.
Blind, whose team were spanked 4-1 at home by Utrecht in their last Eredivisie match, admits his future may rest on the outcome of Sunday's match.
Blind said: ``I will only throw in the towel if I can't get the team motivated. I don't have the feeling this is the situation.
``But if we are seven points behind a play-off position we will lose our aim for the season and then it's up to the board to make a decision.''
In their 49 previous matches at De Kuip, Ajax have won 16, drawn 17 and lost 16.
Blind said: ``I don't want to put any store on those statistics.
``We often play well in Rotterdam but badly in Eindhoven against PSV.''
