AZ played the final 45 minutes of their abandoned clash at struggling Excelsior last night - the original fixture was called off at half-time due to heavy fog - but failed to find a breakthrough as the game petered out into a goalless draw.

Despite that disappointment, Gertjan Verbeek's side hold a four-point advantage over second-placed PSV Eindhoven after 15 games.

Australia international Holman called for a sense of perspective in the aftermath and also targeted a swift response.

He told the club's official website, www.az.nl: "Barcelona win matches but not every single one and yet everyone says they are invincible.

"Everyone says we are tired but I don't think that. We were sharp (against Excelsior) but we lacked a bit of luck."

As for the weekend assignment against a De Graafschap side third from bottom, he added: "We have a good game against De Graafschap. It is nice to play a home game, against anyone.

"We need to show everyone who is boss, especially when playing at home.

"We didn't do anything wrong against Excelsior so I have every confidence."

PSV will also be confident of registering three points as they take on mid-table NAC Breda at the Philips Stadion.

FC Twente, in third, host NEC Nijmegen while, in Saturday's other fixture, Heerenveen go to Excelsior.

Ajax minds have been preoccupied this week with the Champions League. However, it ended in disappointing fashion as the Amsterdammers lost 3-0 at home to Real Madrid while Lyon claimed a stunning 7-1 victory at Dinamo Zagreb to finish runners-up to Jose Mourinho's men.

Progress in Europe's elite club competition would have been a much-needed boost for Ajax after a turbulent spell at boardroom level.

Frank De Boer's side return to domestic action on Sunday with a trip to RKC Waalwijk.

Feyenoord were boosted today by the news Jordy Clasie had signed a 12-month contract extension and is now tied to the Rotterdammers until the summer of 2015.

The 20-year-old is now hoping coach Ronald Koeman follows suit.

Koeman has had a positive impact at De Kuip this season and the players, including Clasie, hope he will remain beyond the end of the season.

"The coach is a good fit with the squad. He leads us and is tactically very strong. The squad would be very happy if Ronald Koeman extends his contract," he told the AD Sportwereld newspaper.

Rock-bottom VVV-Venlo, chasing their second win of the season, host Roda JC while Vitesse Arnhem meet FC Groningen.

The weekend programme starts tomorrow when Heracles visit ADO Den Haag.