Oranje back in action…..

blog WC2018
by Jan

If you start writing a post but don’t have time to finish it you can punished! The prelim squad becomes definite, new players come and existing players get injured…

Never a dull moment. Please accept some “old” news in this post but I will make it current as I write (and you read) along….

Coach Danny Blind gave his prelim squad and happy to see he went for the usual suspects and gave Davey Propper the highly deserved nod.

The PSV midfielder is one of the revelations of this season and reminds me of elegant classy midfielders like Phillip Cocu and Kevin Strootman. More technician than breaker but always on the move, and never to lazy to throw in a tackle or two. Like Bazoer of Ajax, it seems time slows down when he has the ball and he shows great composure.

propper

 

Davey Propper, elegance and class

Also good to see Jetro Willems back in the selection. The PSV man was out for a while but has demonstrated his form and class in the matches he played for PSV since. What a left foot! Timo Letschert is one of the key players of FC Utrecht, which is aiming for a #3 or 4 spot in the Eredivisie under coach Erik “Pep” Ten Hag. The former Twente player worked as a coach for smaller clubs and worked as assistant for Pep Guardiola at Bayern. His style of coaching and training is similar to Pep’s and it is starting to work wonder for the Domstad club. Ayouteb and Ramselaar are also players close to Oranje, while Nassar Barazite is showing his class on a weekly basis after been in the jungle for years since leaaving Arsenal. French striker Haller will also be on the short list of many a big European club, with his goal scoring antics.

AZ Alkmaar is also impressing with Ron Vlaar strong in their defence and one Vincent Janssen scoring like there is no tomorrow. Two years ago, Feyenoord sent him away. Via the Jupiler league, Janssen came to AZ and after a slow start he made his way into the squad. In the last months, he can’t stop scoring. He’s not the quickest, not the tallest, doesn’t have a Marco van Basten style technique but he’s a killer in the box. Left, right, head, distance, tap ins, he can do it all. But make no mistake, Janssen is not the only striker to make it big after starting in the Jupiler League. Huntelaar, Van Nistelrooy, Hasselbaink, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Bas Dost all made the same journey.

Janssen

 

Vincent Janssen, 20 goals in the league

Then there is Mitchell Dijks. The Ajax left back. Tall, strong but also fast and with a gifted left foot. If Willems has the best cross of the Eredivisie, Dijks comes second. Sent away by Ajax and making his way back to the forefront via Willem II. Ajax signed him again, something they hardly ever do and he is a consistent threat on the left flank, with a good early cross, but despite his body shape also has the speed to dash past defenders.

And there is more to come. Danny Blind is confronted with disappointing turns by his usual suspects. Arjen Robben is still going strong at top level, but Sneijder’s Galatasaray is disappointing this season, Van Persie is struggling at Fener, Huntelaar lost sharpness and speed, Nigel de Jong is off to LA, while Van der Vaart doesn’t even play anymore. Ron Vlaar is another 30+ player who is making his way back to full fitness at AZ.

So Blind is looking at a number of players to come in. Kevin Strootman is fit and needs to play games. Promes is still doing well in Russia, but other names pop up on the list and have seen either Blind or Van Basten visiting them in the past months. Bazoer and Propper are no-brainers, but others are knocking on the door.

training2

25 year old Patrick van Aanholt went to Chelsea at a young age and via several loan spells, one of which at Vitesse, the left back is now a firm fan favorite at Sunderland. The relegation candidate might struggle in the EPL but not as a result of Van Aanholt’s exploits. He scored 5 goals (of which two were consideren own goals) and had 5 assists, which is the highest combination for a defender in the EPL. Strong in attack, lively, fast and a gifted left foot. Defensively vulnerable, but that applies to all our full backs, incl Janmaat and Willems.

21 year old Nathan Ake is a favorite at Watford, which is placed above Chelsea in the EPL standings, the club that owns Ake. He can play left back, center back and defensive mid and has been exceptional going forward and even scoring goals for Watford. He looks like Gullit but plays like Edgar Davids. He himself hopes and believes he will return to Chelsea and be offered a shot at a spot in the squad.

Riechedly Bazoer is considered one of Holland’s biggest talents. Ex PSV defender turned midfielder under De Boer. Composed, great vision, all round qualities and a good distance strike. Napoli and Wolfsburg have been brushed off by Bazoer but Chelsea has started talks. The Utrecht born player has his hopes set on Barca. No lack of ambition… We all hope he stays at Ajax for another two seasons at least.

Robben Bazoer

 

Bazoer in his first game for Oranje, hamstring problems. Robben is an expert on the topic

29 year old Ryan Donk was part of Foppe de Haan’s successful Young Oranje almost 10 years back. The AZ defender made his way to Belgium where he was hot and cold but his good season last year got him a transfer to Galatasaray. He plays a lot but hasn’t been able to stop the rot in Turkey. Still, with his length and experience, he could be a candidate still.

23 year old Marco van Ginkel had a tough three years, since leaving Vitesse for Chelsea. Ajax offered more than Chelsea but Vitesse didn’t want to see him go to a competitor in Holland. Poor Van Ginkel got injured at Chelsea and since played for AC Milan, also injury stricken, and had a spell at Stoke City where he couldn’t get in the team. The dynamic midfielder seems to soft for defensive mid in England and not good enough for offensive mid, but in Holland, at PSV, he already demonstrated his worth with goals, passes and tackles.

22 year old Wesley Hoedt only played 28 games in AZ Alkmaar when Lazio decided to offer him a deal. Against the advice given, he went. No one expected him to make a big impact any time soon but partly due to De Vrij’s injury, Hoedt started to get games and is now playing like an experienced defender in the land that invented defending.

sneijdertje

So the definitive group got announced and pretty soon after a number of players had to give their thanks… Daryl Janmaat got injured, Ron Vlaar got injured, Propper got injured. Locadia and Erik Pieters won’t be available either, so Ibi Afellay is back as is Patrick van Aanholt and Feyenoord back Rick Karsdorp made his debut into the squad. Arjen Robben was already off the list, so Danny Blind will have to go for a team without the danger man upfront and with heaps of players missing out.

Despite all this: Robin van Persie is still not part of the plans.

Blind “I haven’t written Robin off, but he needs games and he needs fitness. He knows this. He is exceptional when he is fit and I would love him to get back to his full form, but he knows he’s having a tough season.”

Asked about the significance of these games for Oranje: “Listen, we need to start winning again. For us, this is the start for our WC campaign. Simple as that. Two tough opponents and it’s good to see where we stand. The fans need something back now, from us. And it gives me options to use a different system and to see if some younger players will step up.”

Timo Letschert is one of the new names. The Utrecht defender was developed at Ajax where he failed to make it into the senior team. He wanted playing time and moved to Groningen, after which he signed for FC Utrecht. Under Erik “Pep” Ten Hag he has been impressive. Blind: “Timo is a modern defender. He has it all. Length, power, speed, balls and he can even score. Good to have him.”

Timo

 

Timo Letschert

Oranje will have a good series of games in the coming months. France and England now of course and later on we play Poland, Ireland and Austria in May and June. Blind will also go on a training trip to Portugal with the team after the season ends.

In September 2016, we’ll play our first WC qualification game vs Sweden.

Blind: “We might not have a group of world class players at the moment, but it is always about the team. We have a good enough team to compete and I still believe we should be able to qualify for the World Cup, even if it won’t be easy.”

He is keen to go back to 5-3-2 but only to regain composure and confidence. “I don’t want to be pinned down on systems. 5-3-2 can work with the players we have, as we have demonstrated. Both Memphis and Robben fit in that system, as does Sneijder and we have flying wing backs like Willems and Janmaat so it does fit. Once we gain more consistency I still want to be able to switch to 4-3-3 but the system is not sacred for me.”

oranje training

Asked about Robben’s importance: “Arjen is still world class. He’s important for Bayern, that says enough. But we still have players with that unpredictable character and loads of talent. Memphis, Quincy Promes are two of those players. We have an exciting young striker in Janssen and ourmidfield is actually quite promising, with Propper, Wijnaldum, Clasie, Klaassen and Bazoer. We can’t rely on one player, we need to focus on the team performance. PSV demonstrated this vs Atletico Madrid and there are many examples like this.”

Wesley Sneijder (32) is adamant to keep on going. He wants to play the WC2018: “I would be so proud to somehow be involved in a young team that will win the cup one day. And I would be able to say I played my tiny part in that. We have good young talents coming through and I enjoy my role as the old player, hahaha.” And on top of that, Sneijder is keen to take the record of most capped Dutchie from goalie Van der Sar. Currently, Wes is number two, with 12 matches to go.

I believe the coach will start with 5-3-2 vs France and hopefully 4-3-3 vs England.

I think the 5-3-2 vs France should be:

Cillesen

Veltman  Bruma   Blind   Van Dijk   Willems

Klaassen   Wijnaldum     Sneijder

Promes  Memphis

Veltman is playing really well as right back, with Bruma making big steps at PSV. Blind and Van Dijk are no brainers and Willems isn’t 100% fit but needs games, so why not use him. We need Klaassen and Wijnaldum in midfield as they form an aerial threat, without a real striker.

karsdopr

Against England, you want to play 4-3-3 to keep their full backs in check and they’ll play with four at the back so I’d go:

Cillesen

Veltman   Bruma   Van Dijk   Blind

Bazoer    Afellay    Sneijder

Promes     Huntelaar    Memphis

Or something like that?

Your views?

Anf for the fans, the German media found this old clip of a teenager Arjen Robben at FC Groningen, where he played in the youth academy. It’s in Dutch, with German subs. But it basically says: “Hi, I’m Arjen Robben and I’m going to teach you a cool trick.”

 

 

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98 comments

  1. Jan though considering what’s on the plate there is few things I want say about eredivisie players.on paper it may look OK but you must remember the tempo of the game at eredivisie level compared to at international level can be influential factor in the game. also remember there is no van ,Nigel,Vlaar,Robben, like in the WC who were instrumental in each department considering the how Van Gaal used complemented the eredivisie players with expienced players. .

    Again I think they are expecting that eredivisie players are up to the level as players in other leagues which I think could turn out to be another illusion which they need seriously need to wake up from.

    If I was Blind I would have selected players more playing out of eredivisie.

    Depay-Promes

    Sneijder-

    Van Annholt-De Roon- wijanldum- kardsorp

    Hoedt – Van Dijk – Bruma

    Cillessen

    1. De Roons workrate is phenomenal and you need a player like him in the engine room, a robust and a egile player. I’m sure he will find a new club at the end of the season.

    2. What do you think about these actual recent quotes from Danny Blind? …seems like they are pretty aware that the eredivisie is not at the same level.
      For context, this preceded his reasons for picking Letschert and Janssen:

      ”I am also aware that my choices relates to these players playing in the Eredivisie which is a difficult facet when choosing a squad when comparing to players playing in a stronger leagues, but I firmly believe that these two players deserve a chance”

      With the Netherlands not participating in the European Championships in France this summer Danny Blind stated his approach in taking the national team forward. ” We have to think ahead because it is about qualifying for the 2018 world cup in Russia and making sure we qualify. We are looking on a weekly basis at potential international players as well as routine international players.”

      Blind went on to say that Galatasaray midfielder Ryan Donk, Atalanta’s Marten de Roon, Lazio centre back Wesley Hoedt and Club Brugge’s Ruud Vormer are all on the national teams radar.

      1. @ Sybe pals first off all welcome back.
        Quiet a contradicting system from Daddy. I mean on one said he is saying those players playing out of eredivisie are on the radar and on the other hand he s acknowledges he is aware of the status of eredivisie when compared to other players players playing in stronger leagues and yet he selects players from eredivisie. For me that’s a stupid and at the same time a curious statement and just shows his credibility as a coach. I’m considering his initial selection here before the injury causalities.

        I feel the future of eredivisie and it’s players still looks vague looking at what is unfolding in epl for Dutch players so why make those kind of contradicting statement.at the same time when the time is right to build the team around players who are grooming profoundly in stronger leagues,why keep them on waiting list.

        2. Yea slim pickings anyways when your spine is missing (Krul-deVrij-Strootman-Robben)..
          I’d also like to see more players tested.
          But, I’m undecided.. I could also see the argument for less changes, that for ‘building a team’ that you need players to have the time to play together as well.
          So I don’t know, is all I know!

          The only thing for sure is that we have the same board, choosing the not-so-experienced Danny Blind in the job to make these decisions find the right mix (in his defense he has been around the position for quite a few years) but people, and maybe the players too, are still losing confidence.

          For me, more than player selections and simple formation ideas are details like when to press, when not to, when to attack and when to move slower, when to be exactly where in any scenario, and getting all the players to buy in and make it happen. To me, it was really evident during the qualifiers that we had players who didn’t seem to know, or else care, about these things, and thus lacked confidence in the team and any grit or guile. Like a ship without a captain. Players would make massive mistakes and just turn around with their hands on their hips, like oh well. I want to see players pissed off and fighting back, when luck is going against you, you have to fight harder to turn it around!
          Probably more Hiddinks fault, but all of the leaders, including the captains and the KNVB, must own up to it and get control, by any means.
          Anyways now I’m just rambling..
          Hahaha cheers mates

      1. kevin dijks is the most balanced RB we have,he is equal at going forward and defense..He is way better than kardorp as a defender and equals him when attack.He may not as brutal as Tete but he still catch up with tete in defense and offcourse he offers more in attack than tete.
        Kevin Dijks is deal note that name..

  7. Hard times when you can pick a lineup with players who are not selected or injured that seems like it would destroy the best one we can make with selected players..

    — Krul —
    Janmaat-deVrij-Riedewald-Buttner
    Ake-Strootman-van Ginkel-Fer
    — Robben-Dost —

  8. Pals nicely sumed up in the above article but again you need a set of players who play together constantly and who can complement each other. This is often hard to achieve at international level due to niggling injuries as what we have seen in the past which also becomes a hurdle for the coaches killing the momentum of the flow. I think Hiddink became a big victim of this.

    I mean you look at Robben, over the years no coach has dared to rotate him or groom somebody else in his presence as he has always being used extensively.
    when he is missing its scratching the head time. I remember they used EL Ghazi at one stage and now he hasn’t been even selected.Now with Promes in the picture they are not even playing wing system.

    I don’t know what will happen if
    Sneijder gets injured,they will start scratching their butt.

    I think this is where it needs to be excuated and the time is just right. As for the two friendlies coming up, I hope the defense is one area that can be focused on.i mean rotating all the CBs in the two games and the
    New faces up front particularly Janssen.

    Midfield I have no hope.

  9. Can any one Explain…about the situation of Nathan ake…
    Nathan Ake is Revelation of watford this season,wa outstanding and one of the most rated playuer in every game.Played as Excellent Dm,Excellent LB…He is omitted and Floppay was playing like shit is been seleceted and given vote of confidence,especially this guy has played crucial part in screwing LVG job….

    1. He is on the radar for Danny. Maybe when they are out of the WC then he will call him. Besides that he will be a direct competitor to his sunny boy. The question is how long,how long can daddy keep his son a float.

      1. But still that Bodybuilder crap??is there…i know Daley blind is really good compared to many headlesschikens..so i dont mind that slecetion..my question is Ake out—Depay in..what logic is that??

        1. The logic is AKe is defender and Depay is a winger. Why you always wanna compare two players playing in different positions.Depays selection is only based on the fact that there is nobody better than him in that position but AKes non selection is something what I have mentioned above.

          1. @Wilson….its so poor Wilson i am disappointed with you.Every school kids knows Depay is winger and Ake is DM/LB…first of u need to understand that i JUST asked a question..i was not COMPARING….OKAY??
            i really understood that u didnt understand my question?So i am clearing it now…this is my question..
            Why a performer is omitted and Non performer who shits week in week out is selected for JUST SAKE OF POSITIONS??if so thats a bad call.
            current 23 deosnt have a real holding mid bar Wijnaldum so why this Shitpay??

          2. @TIJU Becuase you need to play attacking players…. You can’t just play the 11 players who are in the best form. You actually need like a goalie and stuff and a few defenders and midfielders and maybe even a few attacking players!

  17. @dwherway….Depay is the best we have got????????ha haha…
    Who was marcus rashford ,jesse lindgraad and antony martial……?????????Now Depay sits in bench and MANu is really a good team when these guys on feild…
    FYI..Annholt is playing way better than Depay as winger in 352 system in sunderland…
    FYI this abedhalek noauri is 100 times talented than this crap depay…
    All blind have to do just give chance to Annholt and Naouri…they will show u quality…simple

    1. I don’t recall saying Depay is the best we’ve got? But yes believe it or not I do think the man who scored 28 goals last season is a better attacking player than a fullback for a relegation bound EPL team and a player in the Dutch U21 league. Is Memphis having a good season? No of course not. Is he in good form now? No not at all. He has had a few good games this season albeit mainly against weaker sides such as Brugge and Mitjyland, although not exclusively in Europe. He was for example brilliant against Arsenal going up against the best rightback in the premier league. He was also excellent for a stretch coming on as a substitute in early January. Still it would be wrong to classify his first season at ManU as anything other than a disappointment. That being said based on the current number of attacking players available his selection is a no brainer. Is he more deserving of being selected than Ake or Van Anholt? No probably not, but right now you cannot debate that he is one of our top players available at his position.

      1. @dwherway..u didnt say Depay is the best……but y to select a crap player as if we have no one left..this shows th blindness..there are better players than Depay for NT..if u are not seeing it..that means u dont watch all talents..thats it..

        1. Do we really have better attacking players? If so who are they? You are completely right I do not watch all the talents. I have a busy life and a number of other interests so my football viewing is mainly restricted to the EPL and Champions/Europa league. I read this blog in part so I can become informed on the many Dutch talents playing around the world. I am very thankful for the various members of this site including yourself who help keep me updated. In your last post the two names you brought up were Van Anholt and Noauri. You seem to think that PVA is best as a winger and you may actually be right but until he plays there domestically there is 0% chance he’ll play there for the national team. I will confess to never having seen Naouri play (not much U21 Dutch football televised in Canada) you seem to think he’s quite the talent which is excellent but even you have to admit it wouldn’t be very wise to select someone who hasn’t even made his debut in the Eredivise yet. So that is why I conclude that based on all of the players that I have seen in addition to those I have heard mentioned on this site, Memphis really is a no-brainer for selection. If I am missing out on any other exciting talent we have in the pipeline feel free to mention names I would love to hear about them!

          1. All too true re PVAs chances of playing LW for the NT, and same goes for Ake as DM (unfortunately, in my opinion)..

            Nouri is def one for the future, but at only 18 (almost 19) he still plays with U19s, and the Ajax U21s.. Actually I see he scored a pen today in the u19 Uefa championship.

            Ps where are you in Canada dwherwey?

          2. @dwherway…the problem is that Memmphis bodybuilder floppay is proven failurre at MANU under LVG..i would have understood had he played in chelsea were no players gets supported and club spoils them like Bruma,Annhol,Quadrado,Vanginkel etc…So Floppay has no excuse,offcourse i do understand that he is king against low class teams and defenders.but wats the use of it???
            He has played several matches for us in ECQ216..he flopped in bigtime,he couldnt even help the team to get at least 3 rd place…So i dont know why this arrogant dumb is selecetd…
            As for naouri and Annholt are the only options i am seeing it for NT,may be jetro willems too can play there as well..i mean players who supports team when it matters..Depay is all about thigh muscles and and some dribbles and ends up in loosing ball or bad pass…Nothing else.
            Its Danny blind duty that he must try Nouri,willems and Annholt overe there and should check them how they can do,rather than wasting time with a dumb bodybuilder..LIke LVG did for MANU …now Depay is kicked out by Martial,Rashford and Lindgraad..Same can be done in NT…For me Age doesnt matter if they have stamina,skills,speed and brain…whether its 35 or 16..

  19. Blind has stated his son Daley will now be seen as a central defender for the national team… Not left back or central midfield.

    Expected Netherlands XI (according to De Telegraaf): Cillessen, Veltman, Bruma, Van Dijk, Blind, Willems; Clasie, Klaassen, Sneijder; Promes, De Jong

      1. @Tiju, I don’t have a problem with Veltman as the right back in the France game. He’s a good defender; even at cb he’s showed decent ball skills, he’s likely not going to get caught out of position by misreading play and getting too far upfield. He’s had a good stretch at rb for Ajax (granted in a 4-3-3), and the cross he made that led to the goal against PSV was excellent,…who would you prefer that is available?

        1. It does seem like Veltman is more of a defensive minded rightback who would be suited better for a back four. You’re right though given the injury to Janmaat I think Veltman is the best option. I know TIJU isn’t a huge fan of GVDW and nor am I. He never seems to bring any kind of form when he plays for the Dutch.

    3. Pull out some names from current squad such as Huntelaar, Afellay, Sneijder, Vermeer then we will have a very young, potential, promising team.

  20. @dwherwey, Agreed that Veltman isn’t the ideal rb in a 5 man set up. But he may bring other qualities which will allow the team to open up a bit, and become more fluid, less static. He will not be as attack minded as, say, Willems on the other side. But in playing the rb position more conservatively, perhaps he frees up some other the other players; maybe Blind pushes more into the MF, maybe it takes some of the defensive pressure off of Clasie and Klassen (if the lineup is accurate)and they can feel freer to move forward. It allows the team to shift freely from a 5-3-2 to a 4-3-3 as the game dictates. Plus, its not as if he has no offensive skills.

    Anyway, that is what I am hoping. Perhaps it is just wishful thinking.

    1. Same for me.
      Actually I was surprised to look up Veltmans last bunch of games and to see he has played RB in 7 of the last 9 matches, and undefeated in that time incl climbing to top spot and matches v PSV, Feyenoord and AZ, plus what an assist for Milik on the weekend!
      However would also be cool to see Karsdorp get a shot at it, has won the last 7 matches he has played too and has lots of assists this season too.
      But no doubt the 21 year old will get his chances eventually. We have lots of talented young RBs.. Diks (19) Brenet (22) and of course Tete (20), who has already made the jump.

      1. yes ….Veltman was faultless as RB but not much great in going forward,but still he is effective when goin up..Clever player,good concentration,good reader of game..

  22. Johan Cruyff played in Washington DC when I was eight and nine years old, and he became my inspiration as a player and a coach myself.

    I can think of no one like him in the world of sports. He completely changed the way football is played, taught and enjoyed all over the world first as a player and then as a coach.

    He is obviously a Dutch national treasure, but his legacy is global and timeless. And this is before we even consider his humanitarian efforts.

    I’m thankful to have lived in an era when I could see him and his teams play.

    God bless Johan Cruyff!

    1. Well said, JB. I’ve been reading that the Barca fans are starting a petition to ask that the Nou Camp be renamed Estadio Cruyff. They should think about doing so in Amsterdam.

  23. If Blind decides to play 5:3:2 system, he will need to deploy in attack either Promes – Janssen or Depay – Janssen. Neither de Jong nor Huntelaar will add any sharpness to the attack. Oranje needs physically strong central forwards.

  27. Riyad mehrez vs Memphis floppay…..u could see both dribbles and runs ,Mehrez is faster and productive tearing the defense with passes…While Depay dribbles and end up nothing…that to mostly against Mitjland and club brugge…

  29. I hoped to see some changes since last qualification campaign, but unfortunately, nothing has changed. The same uninspired style of game. Blind is very stupid coach. Klaassen and Sneijder have been truly bad. Five defenders create five times more chaos…Midfield does nothing, they do not feed attackers and as result de Jong and Promes stand idle…Awful. Veltman is particularly bad. To me, only Cillessen plays well. Very sad….I hope Blind will switch to 4:3:3 system or at least 4:4:2…..Very hopeless….

      1. Yes, agree the first goal was his mistake but compared to entire defense he was a better man. Veltman, Blind, and Van Dijk were so bad that any goalkeeper would feel insecure with such a defense. Bruma played so well against Athletic Madrid, but here he was also so so but much better than his partners…The problem is that Dutch have no clue how to play, there is no team…it is a collection of 11 individuals….

  31. I hope, Blind will be dismissed after this shameful game. France did not even put any efforts in the second half and still won the game. Hopefully, NT will lose England too and KNVB will start looking for a new coach and preferably a foreign coach….

  33. Well, Dutch MF: Sneijder, Klassen, Clasie v. French MF, Pogba, Matuidi, Diarra. Kind of says it all. They were overrun in the first half. The Dutch were immediately better when Bazoer came on.

    Looked to like Klassen, Clasie, Van Dijk, De Jong out of their depth. Can’t imagine why Klassen would ever start ahead of Wijnaldum.

    Promes was good. Affellay gave them something in the 2d half. He moved the ball around well, and his strike for the goal was high quality.

    In the future, I could see a MF of Wijnaldum, Strootman, Bazoer. Add DeVrij to the defense, Robben to the frontline, and they might have something.

    @Sybe, thank you for the link.

  34. @Sybe Pals I’m in Ottawa mate. Are you a fellow Canuck?
    @Andrew Totally agree about Wijnaldum I would have thought selecting him would be a no brainer but apparently not…

  35. I am really hoping LVG leaves Man United and returns to manage the national team. We needs someone like him to re-build the team. He surely can build a good team within the next 2years. I can imagine a flurry of new players being called up to the team.

    How likely is this to happen? What u guys think?

    1. yes..he was better than claise,klassen and Depay…but he should have played in left wing not as DM..he is not doing anymore harddribbling,but still he takes time to pass..defintly a better player than forementioned 3..thos e 3 should be kicked out of team…Afellay can be a back up soln..for left wing..

  37. the players impressed are Bazoer,Promes,blind,willems,
    players were okay
    Bruma,veltman,Cilleseen and Dejong ???arguably…
    PLayers who sucked in bigtime
    Clasie,klassen,Vrijil..
    Anyone has any idea why klssen and clasie got selecetd over wijnaldum who has 9 gaols and 5 assits in a Top league were Depay sucks week in week out..?Is blind id baised or Blind???

  38. i wannat to see a team of
    Annholt——-janssen——Promes
    ——Blind——–Bazoer———
    ———–Wijnaldum————-
    Willems—Veltman—Bruma—-Kasrdorp
    ————Vermeer——————-

    Vs england

    1. if Blind wants to play 352….then Bruma+virjil doesnt work at all…its just bodies in defense,no reading,no alertness,no leadership,looks like players has no clue what to do next..
      Basiclaly after seeing southampton matches my hopes for Virjil was a so low.as southampton concedes in every game…

  39. against england:
    4-2-3-1 (like we had in 2010 world cup)

    ——–Zoet(better than cillissen)——-
    ——Veltman-bruma-blind-willems——
    ————-Afellay–Bazoer——-
    —–Wijanldum—Klaassen—-Promes——-
    ————-Janssen——————

    1. klassen??????????ha ha ..Afelllay as holding ????Veltman should be replaced with karsdorp…veltman can play as LCB better than virjil van dijk..
      Blind can play furthur up..

        1. Clasie and klassen were just joke…so its suited Afellay very much that he made a feel that he was good there..i really dont know when we have hendrix,Anita,Ake and wijnaldum we dont need Afellay,clasie and klassen….Afellay must concentrate on left wing if Annholt does bad…

  40. Tiju don’t write of Van Dijk just yet.remeber De Vrij when he first came on the scene, he also was sluggish until his move to lazio where he really improved with every game. Again for me you can’t just blame the defenders if the midfield is weak in front of them. If You look at Blind at Man United,Bruma at PSV,Veltman at Ajax, Van Dijk at Southampton,even DE Vrij at lazio,all have reliable midfielders in front of them who
    balance the workload of the defenders giving them comfortable protection. This is somethng that is missing in NT and this is why all of them get exposed.you look at Bruma in CL,he had a solid outings for PSV but at the same time he had Guardado in front of him to share share the workload.reliable and efficient,but come NT he looks medicore just because his not receiving the same protection as at PSV. This goes for all and this is why all were lackluster vs France. Until and unless they get a reliable and efficient DM, there is no solution to this saga.even if they play with 6 defenders.

  41. Again vs England if the midfield is not productive it will be a similar story. Alli and Kane have a good chemistry playing together at Tottenham and could be devastating if not neutralized.

    1. I hope they play Kane and Vardy together. just curious how that’s gonna result that’s all. Alli and Dier behind them. Welbeck and Lallana on the flank.

      hoping for 5-3-2 again.
      Zoet
      Karsdrop/Veltman/Blind/VanDijk/Willems
      Bazoer/Wijnaldum
      Afellay
      Promes/Janssen (long stretch. I know it’s gonna be De Jong, but still…)

      1. well they did play together… and what a goal(s) from both of them. Kane with what looked like a Cruijff Turn, drop of shoulder, fierce shot to far corner. and Vardy with cheeky backheel flick. both gave Neuer no chance.

        one could argue that Germany took their foot of the pedal in 2nd half, but a game is 90 minutes. you have to give it all.

        can’t wait our next game!

      1. @ TIJU With Depay’s massive thighs I think he would make a great GK. Then we could could go with an all fullback front three of
        PVA-Willems-Van Rijn

      2. about this muscular thingy… I think it’s fine, but he has to know how to play with such advantage. play it like Rooney. like Alexis Sanchez. be robust, but learn to keep the ball better. if he still play like he is today (too much tricks) and not learning how to be effective, then I’m sorry to say, Depay will never success. he has to change.

        1. @vanfadly Yeah I was totally joking about the muscles. I think the player with the biggest thighs in all of football is Cristiano Ronaldo and it really hasn’t seemed to slow him down too much.

          1. @Dwherway..
            “”I think the player with the biggest thighs in all of football is Cristiano Ronaldo “””thats a stupid and bind statement..Ronaldo has natural muscles in thighs,he doesnt do extra work to bulk it up and loose his speed…
            Depay runs like a frog,overstreched muscles are limiting his dribbling skills..apart from that his upper body is also bulked,so totally depay is screwed…
            if it was natutral like Roberto carlos,zeadorf or stuart pirace then it was ok and he would have had good speed..if still dont get it
            JUST WAIT AND SEE THE FLOPPING OF DEPAY..take note of it..

          2. @dwherwey well it’s kinda became regular joke in some discussion. 🙂 Tiju here frequently pointing that out.

            Cristiano himself is a gym maniac, if I remembered correctly. many of his teammates (and ex) revealed how dedicated he is in training (in general). like I said, it’s fine to have muscular body, but knowing how to use it is the most important way. agreed with Tiju that Depay will flop, UNLESS he finds a way how to properly use the muscle.

  43. I totally agree about our midfield. It was very static and lacked creativity. One thing to note is our central attacker Luke de Jong. He is good when he is being served properly. He is not going to fight for a ball. That is his style, which is not working well with this Dutch team. I still do believe that Janssen is the best option as a central attacker: he is much stronger physically, he fights and gives very good passes. He can put a pressure on a defense whereas de Jong is unable to do that….This is my personal opinion.

    1. I’m afraid wijnaldum too will become jack of all trades master of none if he keeps playing all over the midfield. He is more like a player you might wanna use in 4-4-2,tacted just behind the striker.But in defensive positions it will only put the pressure on the team. Claise only time will tell whether he is built for that DM role.

  45. U21s also won vs Norway 1-0. Was expecting Kevin Diks to feature there but it was Han Hateboer who started the game.again don’t see anything done which will boost the NT in future.jus don’t know what will happen to players like van Aken, St Juste, Diks,Sinkgraven,Achahbar

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