Ajax: Taylor proud, Brobbey self-critical after Waalwijk win | OneFootball

Ajax defeated RKC Waalwijk 2-0 away from home on Sunday and sit fifth in the Eredivisie table as the Europa League tie with Slavia Prague briefly interrupts the domestic fixture list. While the result was largely positive for the Amsterdam club, as substitutes Bertrand Traore and Mika Godts scored inside the final 20 minutes, there were mixed feelings in Francesco Farioli’s camp.

Defensive midfielder Kenneth Taylor played for over an hour in Waalwijk and was replaced by Bertrand Traore. The attacker made it 0-1 fifteen minutes before the end and was later responsible for the assist for substitute Mika Godts. The 22-year-old gave a glowing review of his side’s performance at the Mandemakers Stadion, and even went as far to suggest the two-goal win was a better display than the one that came against Go Ahead Eagles.

“I never thought about losing points and always thought it would be fine. We had complete control this time too. (…) I had a different feeling this time than against Go Ahead. RKC wasn’t very dangerous, although we didn’t have any great chances either. Still, we rewarded ourselves in the end. I’m proud that we did that now compared to last week. Did we only have our first shot on goal in the 71st minute? Oh, that’s not how it felt. But it’s true that we didn’t create enough.”

Addressing the impact of both Traore and Godts from the bench, the Alkmaar native continued:

“Yes, the flanks are sparsely occupied, but you can also look at it differently. (Jaydon) Banel and (Christian) Rasmussen tired out the full-backs, which gave Mika and Bertrand more space for their actions and they are extremely dangerous with their speed. The game does not deteriorate when we make substitutions. Ultimately, the coach decides who plays and we believe in him.“

While he was ultimately in agreement with his midfield team-mate, Brian Brobbey was a little more inwardly reflective following Ajax’s third win of the season. After admittedly being stifled by former colleague Liam van Gelderen, Brobbey spoke to ESPN in honest fashion:

“It was a tough match, in which I didn’t reach my level either. He (Van Gelderen) did well, that’s true. We get three important points, that’s what it’s all about.”

Addressing his replacement by Chuba Akpom in the 56th minute, the striker continued:

“Of course I want to play everything and I didn’t score a goal, but the disappointment is over now, you know. We won, everyone is happy.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield