So much for predictions

AZ goalgetter Simon Cziommer celebrates another goal against NAC. Cziommer did that three times in a match where NAC was annihilated: 8-1.

So much for predictions. Of course this is only the first game of the season and NAC haven been struggling for several seasons now.

But still, 8-1... When was the last time when that happened? Maybe somewhere in the 80's when Ajax had a good day against Helmond Sport or some other first division team who got promoted by accident. AZ don't have a Van Basten or Bergkamp and NAC is far from a candidate for relegation.

Apart from all the goals, there was the excellent pressing game, the terrific use of space and ball posession. All in all, you could say that AZ was a budget version of Arsenal this evening.

Tomorrow the match of the day will be FC Goningen - Feyenoord. Ajax and PSV will play their matches too.

Prediction for this years Eredivisie season

Yesterday the overture of another season of Eredivisie started. Vitesse beated Sparta by 2-1.

So if i want to predict the top 5 for this season, i should do it now.

1. Ajax

Due to the introduction of the imbecilic play-offs, Ajax ended as vice-champions last year. Ajax was fourth after the end of the regular competition, which is the proper way to look at it.

It might seem silly to predict Ajax to come out on top this year. I have good hope that Ajax will be champions this year and not only because i want them to be.

I think they have done well on the transfer market. Even though he is 34 years old, Jaap Stam could be an important member of the squad for at least 2 seasons. Gabri could be a very good asset for the club, the same goes for George Ogararu and Roger. I'm not sure about Kenneth Perez though. He seems to be too far over the hill, to be a good and consistent right winger for the whole season.

Together with guys like Wesley Sneijder, Urbi Emanuelson, my personal favourite Ajax player Mauro Rosales and of course Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, this is a team that should be at least a strong contender for the title.

But it is Henk ten Cate who is Ajax' guarantee to new triumphs. Ten Cate has been very successful with teams like Sparta, NAC and MTK Budapest. There is no doubt in my mind that as Frank Rijkaard's assistant, he had a huge part
in Barcelona's success.

So Ajax will be champions this season and i'm so confident about this team that i will even venture into guessing how far they will get into the champions league: i would be disappointed if they wouldn't make it to the quarter final.

2. PSV

Last years champions PSV lost very little on the transfer market. Most noticeable move was Theo Lucius, who went to Feyenoord. They gained very little too. All the new players are defenders plus one goalkeeper.
Until proven wrong, my heart won't be beating faster for new players like Manuel Da Costa or Jelle de Bock.

But as long Alex won't get the chance to play his first game for Brazil (If that happens he will be playing his first game for Chelsea right after that), PSV has one of the best teams in the Dutch premier league.

I don't expect them to win the championship this year. Mainly because they lost world class coach Guus Hiddink and replaced him with Ronald Koeman. Despite winning national titles with Ajax and the national cup with Benfica, you can't say that Koeman's history as a trainer is something you can be excited about. He certainly never made any team better. Since stagnation is always decline, PSV will end this season as vice-champions.

3. Feyenoord

Due to the introduction of the imbecilic play-offs, Feyenoord ended as number five last year. Feyenoord was third after the end of the regular competition, which is the proper way to look at it.

Despite the fact they lost top scorer Dirk Kuyt right before the end of the transfer period -and before that Salomon Kalou, who will keep Chelsea's bench warm-, i have good hopes they will be a great squad throughout the season. They certainly were able to buy some promising players: Theo Lucius (PSV), Stan Huysegems (AZ). Henk Timmer (AZ) is a very able goalie, so all in all i am confident we will see a lot of good football from this team.

I do wonder if and how they are going to replace Kuyt. If NEC is still in financial troubles, i would try to get both Romano Denneboom and Andrzej Niedzielan. Edgar Barreto might be a nice addition too.

4. FC Groningen

Due to the introduction of the imbecilic play-offs, FC Groningen ended as number three last year. FC Groningen was fifth after the end of the regular competition, which is the proper way to look at it.

Even that was a sensational place for FC Groningen to end the season. I think they will even do better. They strengthened the squad with some new players and only lost a few players to other clubs.

I have high hopes on new striker Luis Suárez. But it is coach Ron Jans who is the secret behind the sudden success of FC Groningen. And as long the former German teacher will stay with the club, i would be very disappointed if they would not be able to end on a position that would get them into the UEFA tournament.

5. AZ

Due to the introduction of the imbecilic play-offs, AZ ended as number four last year. AZ was vice-champion after the end of the regular competition, which is the proper way to look at it.

AZ has been very busy on the transfer market this year. Not without good reason. The club lost essential players like Barry van Galen (end of career), Denny Lanzaat (Wigan Athletic), Steyn Huysegems (Feyenoord), Kenneth Perez (Ajax) and Tarik Sektioui (Porto).

Most of the newcomers are very promising young players, but i'm afraid that Louis van Gaal will be using the term "learning year" a lot this season.

But it might be the start of a new era for AZ and if their trainer stops to act like a dickhead towards the press, AZ might finally become the top club it wants to be so very bad

D-Day

i'm so excited i could throw up.

the only downer is that i can't watch either chelsea or arsenal win their first games this weekend...its a crying shame. especially when i think that watching game one is going to feel like picking someone up at the airport that you haven't seen in some time. you miss them, you love them, and you can't wait to see them. the anticipation is killing me.