Martin Haar still believes in a happy marriage between Ajax and Owen Wijndal. The left back has trouble finding his feet in Amsterdam and does not yet enjoy the full confidence of trainer Alfred Schreuder. The fact that the latter regularly puts Wijndal next to it could well work to his advantage, thinks his former youth coach at AZ. “Such a wake-up call might be good for him,” Haar speculates in the General Journal.
After Daley Bind had his contract terminated, nothing seemed to stand in the way for Wijndal. However, the Zaandammer was passed against NEC (1-1) on Sunday and also did not make a flawless impression in the cup match against FC Den Bosch (0-2 win; Wijndal was at the kick-off here). Schreuder has already argued that he thinks his pupil should deliver more, and that may be exactly what he needs, thinks Haar.
“I was never able to catch him being lazy,” claims the former trainer, who had Wijndal under his wing at Jong AZ. “But Ajax is different, isn’t it. If you lose a few matches there, it’s war. And Owen comes in at a higher level with even better players. Then you have to give full throttle. He often thinks: I can do that In that respect, such a wake-up call might be good for him. Maybe it went too easily at AZ and he needs this to shift up a notch.”
The return of Dusan Tadic on the left wing is also currently playing tricks on Wijndal, according to Haar. The Serbian pulls in less than (the absent due to illness) Steven Bergwijn, which would prevent Wijndal from coming into his power. “Owen has to rely on his drive and power. He can keep going. Daley Blind has less of that ability. He again had a great passing and insight,” says Haar.
Finally, the former midfielder predicts that the Wijndal issue will be one of patience. “You have to be able to hit him and give him confidence. If he plays five games and is in top shape again, his added value will emerge. That goes without saying in the Eredivisie, but more is asked in the Champions League. I’m sure he will can and will show if he gets some time at Ajax,” said Haar.