The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 manager has not ruled out his side in the Eredivisie title hunt, while admitting that Frank de Boer’s Ajax Amsterdam are favourites to become Dutch champions.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar at AFAS Stadion on April 11.
Before Wednesday’s clash, the Tukkers were just three points behind the table-toppers, Ajax Amsterdam. However, the 2009/10 Dutch champions now trail the league leaders by five points.
With 15 points left to play for before the 2011/12 campaign concludes, the Tukkers head coach, Steve McClaren, has every right to remain optimistic about his side’s chances of lifting the Eredivisie title.
The former England manager has insisted that mathematically, everything is still possible in the title race. However, the Englishman has admitted that the Amsterdammers are favourites to defend their title.
“Ajax are now the favourites. Mathematically, everything is possible. We will go at full throttle and look to secure maximum points. Ajax have not yet get their hands on the title, and until that happens, we will continue fighting for it”, McClaren was quoted
as saying to the media.
The 50-year-old tactician, who guided the Tukkers to their first ever Eredivisie title in the 2009/10 season, was brought back to De Grolsch Veste to replace Co Adriaanse earlier this year.
He has insisted that his side has been performing better as a unit as compared to their earlier performances.
“We are playing better now. I saw the game against AZ. We came back from behind twice in the match to bag a point at the end that clearly shows the commitment and the focus of all the players. They know what they are doing. We are still in the race with
five games to go”, McClaren concluded.
The Enschede giants are currently sitting third in the league standings, and will lock horns against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/NAC-Breda-c39983 in their upcoming encounter at De Grolsch Veste on Saturday, April 14.
McClaren would be hoping that his side manages to bag all three points against the 15th placed side and keep their title hopes alive.
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