Raheem Sterling’s slow start to life at Feyenoord is not entirely his fault.That is according to European football journalist Andy Brassell following mounting criticism of the forward.Sterling has been defended following criticism of his performance against AjaxGettySterling has come under fire in the wake of Feyenoord’s 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Ajax on Sunday.The 31-year-old was taken off after 55 minutes by Robin van Persie after his side had fallen behind.Although the hosts were able to rescue a point, they failed to grab the win which would solidify their spot in second place.Sterling criticisedSterling has received the brunt of the criticism following De Klassieker, including being told he belongs in ‘a veterans’ team’.Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen explained: “There was also one man who was brought in with a lot of fanfare, but who keeps disappointing time and again: Raheem Sterling.“He only played 55 minutes this time, but it was an outright poor performance.“It all happened right in front of our eyes, we were sitting on that side.“Offensively, he did absolutely nothing, and defensively he simply didn’t do his job.“Because of him, Ajax could build up play very comfortably, as he wasn’t applying any pressure at all.“It almost seemed like he was enjoying the sun more than focusing on the match.”Sterling has been told he belongs in ‘a veterans’ team’ by a Dutch journalistGettyDriessen added: “If you look at the tempo, and this was really a poor-level game, so it can’t be that he can’t keep up with the pace, or that everything is too fast for him, or that he isn’t good enough.“But if you still can’t make an impact or do anything right in a match like this, then you’d be better off playing for a veterans’ team.”Sterling is still awaiting his first goal since joining Feyenoord on a deal until the end of the season in February.However, he did grab his maiden assist in their win over Excelsior earlier this month.His arrival in the Netherlands came after his Chelsea contract was terminated after being exiled from the first-team at Stamford Bridge.Brassell believes his lack of playing time prior to signing for Feyenoord should earn Sterling more sympathy from his critics.Van Persie has been urged to show patience with Sterling as he returns to fitnessGettySpeaking exclusively to talkSPORT, he admitted: “Playing him for the whole 90 minutes at the moment, it just can’t happen.“I think what’s quite interesting is he played this game against Ajax, a huge game, because Feyenoord are trying to close out second place. They’re five points in front of Ajax at the moment. And it wasn’t really Sterling’s sort of game. It was one of those games where Ajax didn’t really dare to win it.“They didn’t have the ingenuity to win it. And Feyenoord just lined up to try and not get beaten. Robin Van Persie has been under a lot of pressure as coach. And he now is advised by Dick Advocaat, who came in this week, in a sort of Terry Venables with Bryan Robson sort of situation, if you like, going back to Middlesbrough.“And the problem is he needs to give Sterling game time to get back to a decent level. But they’re playing games that they need to win. And so they took him off just before the hour when he was trying to do stuff, but it wasn’t really happening. And really, he just needs a run of games.“But Van Persie is under such pressure. He came out and said after the game, ‘look, I need more from Raheem’, but he’s trying everything.“If he hasn’t played for the best part of two years, or if he hasn’t played regularly for the best part of two years, how can he really be at the physical level at this point in the season?”Feyenoord boss had also criticised Sterling after Sunday’s draw with AjaxGettyWhat did Van Persie say?Van Persie, who is now being supported by Dick Advocaat in the dugout, had also called for Sterling to ‘deliver’ after the match.The former Manchester United striker said: “Those two worlds need to align sooner rather than later. We are working on that, where the most important thing is winning matches during this period of Raheem getting fitter and fitter.“So I do respect and acknowledge where he is coming from, but at the same time we have to deliver as a club. We have to end up second, as simple as that.“I believe that he’s making steps in terms of fitness, in terms of what he delivers. At the same time, I want to see more impact off the ball, more impact on the ball.”Feyenoord remain second in the Eredivisie, which would see them secure direct qualification for next season’s Champions League.With six matches remaining, they are three points clear of NEC Nijmegen and five above Ajax following their draw on Sunday.