SixPointer

Wise decision not throwing money at a potential first year in the UCL. Smart recruitment (as always) and will provide a better chance of achieving sustainability and the long term vision.

His ball playing isn’t spectacular to be honest, it’s simple passes to the more creative players. Hence why he has such high completion and numbers. He has only made one key pass all season. Totally agree, at Sparta to begin with in the 6th was a regista role and was deigned to be a quarter back, in time the need for a more disciplined role has come to light. The transition from a pure creative aspect into a metronome type has allowed the midfield runners more freedom. This exactly what he is doing and doing it perfectly. That was the issue I mentioned above, before I wasn’t doing this and it was allowing teams to counter effectively through our centre. Most teams now run into Edson who’s positioning is perfect for stopping these at source. The IWB’s in the conductor system further back him up and they often become the three to recycle play, and as they are deeper while the front 5 roams it makes for fantastic overloading. I’m due to put out a tactical heavy post it’s been a while, now things are settling down at Ajax and my game time is increasing again it won’t be to far away!

I would have to look through all the results to give you a bigger sample. Most of our chances do come from 1v1 situations as the third man breaks through after some positional rotations. I’ll get some data out. This month certainly wasn’t our best attacking displays, but the results came and that’s the most important. Especially as I would like to be in a position to give some of my youth games towards the end. So I need a buffer of points for that.

February 2026 Four wins, eight scored, two conceded, 11 point gap. Great results for the month, mixed performances. Superb month for Christian Eriksen, who signed on the dotted line to finish his career here. While Marco Kana morphed into a goal scoring centre back for the month and Axel Dongen continues to shine! Fc Twente Great performance and result on our travels to the border on our east. The passing combinations were too much for FC Twente to handle, as you can see from the interchanges of play in the clip below of the first goal. The 2-3-5 shape is clear to see, with the false 9 dropping in like this instance and then being overlapped by an AMC, with the neat one, two and finish. Positional play at its best! Excelsior The trip back to Rotterdam for Howedes was somewhat different from usual, this time taking on newly promoted excelsior and boy did they give us a game. Quite easily could have lost this match, and would only have had ourselves to blame. Poor defending and even worse goalkeeping sent us behind early on, a lucky equaliser got us back in the game, and it took a special cross from Kristiansen and a blistering header from Axel Dongen to rescue three points. A poor game in truth for Luca Podlech, conceding 2 from an XG of 0.42 isn't good enough. He is 20 and I expect there to be bad games here and there. He's still learning the game at this level. I kept him in the side and he rewarded me with two clean sheets in the following fixtures. Almere City For all the pressure and dominance I wouldn't have expected to rely on two goals from corners, against our neighbours. One positive as we now looked a huge threat again from them after a slight rework in january. Five goals from five sets plays in the last five games tells a story. Almere didn't threaten at all with no shots on target whatsoever, I would just have prefered to have taken a few more of our many chances. Running into the Alemere keeper in fine form never helped, 13 saves and all within striking distances except for two. RKC Waalwijk Axel Dongen with a superb far post header back across goal from a David Beckham esk ball from Hasenhutl, great way to get three points. Once more another clean sheet but no shots on target so hard to judge Luka at this point. Another game that should really have been more convincing, in the second half I switched to Salida to try to effect the game on the flanks, creating one huge chance that went a miss. A win is a win and while we are dominating and keeping clean sheets it isnt and issue, but i would be concerned a bigger team would have given us a bigger scare, that's why we need to be more clinical. The Human Shield Massive deal for the club getting this one over the this, with an optional extra year as well, always a useful tool for starving of interest. 5% sell on for the player sweetened the deal, at very little cost for the club. The unsung hero of the team, fabulous number 6, breaks up play beautifully and controls the tempo by playing simple passes to keep play ticking over and links everyone together. (Frequently wins the ball, reliable in possessions, lots of accurate passes) Nothing spectacular just goes about his business, reading the game. Think Busquests, Fernandinho for Pep, Edson is of a similar mould, exactly what i'm wanting from my number six. Over 90% pass completion Average of 94.3 passes per 90 80% of headers won, out of 161 attempts 31 interceptions, average of 1.52 per 90 The perfect defensive screen, clever on the ball, and crucial to the whole positional play philosophy when he drops into the back line or anchors the middle, the heartbeat of the team. No wonder the likes of Real Madrid have been watching him.

Yeah it's pretty poor, but it also added a new dimension for me taking over and sorting it out!

Thanks man! I’m trying to be as realistic as possible and their is no way Ajax woulda turned that money down. Was a thing of beauty!! Thanks bud

Benjani’s boys are onto something big this year!

I’m trying to be as close to the Ajax model as possible. So far form has continued… update should be out by the end of today.

Great progressive season, your ability to un lock performances from undervalued or un fancied players is something else. Style of play stats are what I’ve come to expect, those incisive passes. Not holding onto the ball to shift the opponent but striking them in transition. While remaining unbelievably solid at the back, phenomenal numbers. While it’s direct, i don’t see it pure counter attacking football. It’s a hybrid as your movement patterns are a lot more complex than everyone just committing to space. Players know where and when to go into space. looking forward to your recruitment drive as your prepare for potential champions league football.

This was during the January window bud. I just split the updates as I wanted to cover the month in good depth! Without it being way to lengthy and a rough read.

The loan players I never really dipped to much into stats other than their history’s. All three made big moves to top European clubs and it never quite worked out. So I thought that was worthy of a chance at redemption. They never really had stats due to not playing, but that’s why I opted for loans. I’ve got a players at 16/17 years of age who have potential to break into the side come the summer so I don’t want players blocking that, so loans made sense. If they don’t play and get upset no big deal. If they do play and do well it gives me options.

January (Part Two) The perfect response to a poor month, 4 wins from 4 and a 5 point lead with a game in hand. Willem II A very complete performance, the conductor's 2-3-5 attacking shape wreaked havoc on their defence. leaving their fullbacks 1v1 on many occasions, but most importantly the central overload allowed the IWB's to get on the ball and make things happen. Victor Kristiansen took advantage of this with not only one, but two sumptuous assists in behind their full backs. Dongen finished off the lovely team move (seen previously) to get the third. FC Utrecht A much tighter affair, both teams failed to make many clear cut chances. Natan headed home a corner, He is now the main target off all corners after the inquest into the centre backs. Speaking of inquiries in centre backs, Garcia fails to win the header (again) and then Natan doesn't track the run for their goal, Garcia has a cheek to complain about game time! Esposito was back to goalscoring ways, netting a superb volley after an incredible team move, nine players involved, only the LCB & DMC missing out on the move. The ball was worked from right to left over multiple zones and lines, then finished expertely. What a goal!! VVV-Venlo The trip to the German border resulted in a 4-1 victory and some superb football being played, Venlo's goal was probably the best goal of the day which is saying something. Espositio hit a brace taking his tally to 21 for the season, quite the return already, for some who never quite made the grade at Inter Milan. Axel Dongen supplied the pass for his second goal, a great ball in behind matched by the Italians movement and finish. Yet, the star of the show was young gabriel mishouey, 95% pass completion with 7 key passes and assist to boot, 75% of shots on target one of being a goal, and four dribbles completed. An outright menace in that half space, all while Gravenberch sat on the bench looking on as his work permit was processed. AZ Alkmaar Very cagey affair in the Noord-Hollandse derby, but revenge for an earlier season defeat is served, in a must win game against a league challenger. A Christian Eriksen wonder strike separates the sides, assisted by the in form van Axel Dongen who is proving given youth a chance even if the slight weakness can be effective. This was his most impressive performance but while he laid it on it was his defensive performance that really caught my eye. Analysis clearly pointed out that AZ would be strong down their right hand side, Marvin Park has 13 assists for the season from the CWB role. This alone was enough to prompt a defensive response from Howdes. Axel Dongen would be asked to man mark and tackle hard, as would the opposition instructions for the dame, while also showing him onto the right foot. Evjen would be given similar treatment, but he would be shown down the line closing off the space for the overlap as best as we can. AZ's pass map shows how they had to favour the left hand side, the man marking ploy shut off the danger area. Kristiansen had a blinding performance in defence with 7/7 tackles, 10/10 headers and 2 interceptions which kept the door shut. Axel Dongen tracked back and worked extremely hard, putting the hard tackling to use on more than one occasion and winning 10/13 headers. As Sir Alex would say "im very proud" This is my favourite screen to depict the plan coming into action, on show is tackles won, headers won, interceptions. You can see how hard our left hand side pairing had to work, it wasn't a case of AZ changing the plan, it was a case of us being ready to stop it. In comparison to the right hand side it's incredible the difference. Now this wasn't solely the reason Ajax won this game, but in such a tight affair stopping their main threat has proved a major part of the puzzle. As I always say this is my favourite part of this beautiful game we all play, yes wonderkids or hidden gems are great, but when it comes to making tactical decisions and they pay off that's the one, what a feeling. Conclusion A great month, and it was needed especially after last. Opened up a nice gap and now it's full steam ahead, I'm definitely back in the groove, back to analysing each game individually and preparing properly, and the first 20 minutes on comprehensive. Going back to my old habits has paid off and it re ignited my buzz for the save, rather than last month after my holiday when I was sort of drifting through it.

The Champions league is a four year plan, I inherited an ageing squad which is being overhauled. Bringing players in that have room to grow into a UCL contender all while trying to turn a profit, whether that be players from the academy or transfer market.

What a result!! Great execution of your game plan! A title at fratton park would be something else for those loyal Pompey fans!

100 goals for already! With only 22 against. Juggernauting your way to the title again! No wonder the Turkish sensation is number one. What a player!

European football as a Scotsman always nice to see Billy Gilmour doing well. Surprised that ronnigen Jorgensen never blew up for you. I managed Odd in fm21 and he was outstanding, with me working in Norway I’ve tracked him and he seems the real deal in real life. Would expect him to move to a bigger European club soon. he actually signed for Feyenoord from Juventus in my Happel save.

A bit more like it! long may it continue. Yeah at 20 he’s still young for a goalkeeper, but he is certainly at level to play first time. He already had played two seasons as Schalke 04 number one, in the Bundesliga 2. Santos definitely not as complete as I would have liked but in all fairness, Mijnans, Eriksen, Mishouey and Gravenberch himself were not unbelievable in defence. That’s why Edson “the rock” Alvarez is in for contract talks. he is sublime In front for the back 4, Breaks up play, lays it off, wins headers. Does all the dirty work of the other two CMS.

Agreed, I’ve always been more inclined to enjoy those tactical battles and aspects. Hence why am so slow. Playing games on comprehensive will do that to a man 🤣 but the reward is unbelievable when it comes off. I have a good instances of it in tomorrow update. you’ve completely transformed the clubs fortunes. I love that clear pathway to the first team as well. That’s something I’m working on closely. ahhhh saving for stats thats the one. I’ve always ended up losing the stats end of season and not having a way to track it etc. Champions league money is tough to turn down but I know the feeling of the squad not being ready only too well!

January 2026 (Part One) Hectic month to say the least, lots to cover. Talk about turning a profit, 130.5m Euros made in january, from five sales! Blind and Hazard joined this trio, both accepted pre contracts and i opted to sell them now, the pair head to Mexcio to see out their careers. Armed with the advice from @_Ben_ I decided to use Enzo Lie A Kwie to cover for the departure of Blind. He lacks in a few key areas (tackling & passing) but with him being both footed he falls into that category, it's also the Ajax model, player leaves, youth player promoted, more often that not this is the system. Similar idea behind Onana replacement, Luka Podlech will step up to number 1. The 20 year old German is ready in all honesty. I signed him in the summer as the long term replacement, the move is just a few years earlier than i had first imagined. I did bring in Mamardashvili on loan as cover. Gravenberch smashes the Dutch record, it's a lot of money when you consider Bayern nipped him for less than 20 in real life, he's worth every penny as well, world class at 23! That sort of fee Ajax wouldnt turn down in real life, likewise the Onana deal who only had two years left. So I applied my realistic approach, accepted the offer, and offered a new contract, then it was in the players hand. "The club would like you to stay but we cant turn down a fee of such size, we can offer you this though" that's my thinking. Few issues with this replacement. I had planned for it to bid for my long term replacement Adam Karabec , activating his release clause of 16.25m, bargain! However he opted to join Real, which left me chasing for another player, before the Gravenberch deal was even through. Slim pickings for a realistic deal or someone with as much quality and with no one ready to step up I had to change the plan. I found a younger player who would suit an Ajax type signing perhaps, a younger player not the finished article but reasonably enough priced, this would shift Eriksen into starter. Santos arrives from Sporting CP, 27 million with 5 million on performance add ons, respectable price for a 20 year old full of quality. The scout report pointed towards some really good pro's (fairly consistent, professional, versatile. While my only concern would be injuries, after a quick check of the history it was more frequent than serious, which I see a lot in young players. DNA - Score of 141, with no real glaring weakness for the attacking roles in the middle of the pitch. The physical qualities were a big draw for me, I like a playmaker type to have good balance and agility, they often receive the ball in tight areas or get man marked so these two are very beneficial, evading such ploys. This now gives us two great prospects in him and Mishouey, in comparison Santos shades it but Gabriel knows the club and league, however they both have real quality, and provide excellent competition for Mijnans and Eriksen. The deals went through on deadline and while I was sweating on Santos, I covered my ass with the loan singing of Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson. The Icelandic sensation has failed to make the grade at Real Madrid after his move there, much like Odegaard did. A 21 million optional fee may be interesting if he performs when called upon and it adds more depth for the time being, while not blocking pathways. A similar idea I took for my striker problem, as I loaned Gabriel Barbosa. The fans went wild and he is a big player, but again he's failed to settle in Europe firstly with Inter and lately with Chelsea. Perhaps he can come and find a home but at 29 he isnt really what am after, at 26/27 differnt story, really just a stop gap. with Knappen not quite ready, Suarez being finished and if Esposito was to get injured I would be in a struggle. The market not throwing up any Ajax type of deals and i really fancy an aggressive pressing forward type to offset what i already have, still with reasoble ball playing qualityes but someone who will run through brick walls and I have my eye on a couple but wouldn't be available till summer. Conclusion Two really big players have left, commanding huge fees, along with a few older players. I've tried to replace them in the most realistic ways. As i try to do with every transfer. It adds more immersion for me. I never really got involved in the stats, mainly because it was all loans bar or player promotion bar one. Santos has only just started to break onto the scene so it is a gamble on the statistical side, but it felt right and felt Ajax so I moved, especially after my Karabec disappointment. The squad looks healthy for now, but with loans and younger players supplementing things if performances don't live up to expectations, I need to be more prepared for summer. While I do have a lovely under 19 side just blossoming together, so it may be a few of them are chucked in at the deep end next season. Ajax style! I'll be back with the match reports update for January tomorrow, I decided to split it as it would be lengthy. So really good things to view on the match front as well so see you tomorrow.

What a month!! Love the thinking behind your tweaks for PSV! The green men in the Noord are going to Europe!

Thanks for the tip!

I love the little table as well showing where an when you’ve dropped points. Very good for tracking patterns!

Nice to see I tactically inspire, someone who i consider to be one of the very best writers. Probably my favourite of career updates. suppose it’s what it’s about I’ve been driven towards stats and recruitment strategy from your posts. both taking bits from each other’s favourite parts of the game is why the forum is so good.

There's been a development this morning After checking the performance of his loan (second bottom) club this morning, I made the decision to give him the chance. I've also followed suit with another player which I'll update on shortly. After all, the Ajax model is mainly to promote within. Not a bad way to introduce himself, smashing one home on his debut. Beautiful team moves as well. From the opposite side I had planned to deploy him, so thanks for the heads up on the two footed twist. Never realised it has a bearing on attribute growth!

I think I will most likely give him a go. After all it’s the Ajax way. That leaves me two 21 year olds on that flank. But Tadic can always shift to that point. I have to admit this is the first I’ve heard about the two footedness skewing attributes. everyday is a school day.