The 2017/18 Season is upon us: predictions!

Well people, the waiting is over. It’s all going to go ahead again.

Let’s look in the crystal ball and see what will happen.

Oranje

We will suffer the least from the summer break vs France. Les Blues have talent to spare but they are rusty in their home game vs Holland. We will hit them on the attack. 1-3. We score first (Depay on a break) and when France is fighting to get back into the game, we score a second (Wijnaldum). They get back to 1-2 but in the final stages a risk-taking France concedes a penalty, converted by Janssen. Oranje is flying high and we won’t lose any qualification game after that. We’ll go to the WC2018. We’re not going to win it but we’ll get some swagger back.

memphis

Eredivisie

Ajax is vulnerable. A young squad, an inexperienced coach and when Sanchez and Ziyech are sold, there is not enough leadership and experience to have the time fight for the title. Like with JC’s first season as coach, this will be a “development season”. The fans won’t like it but I do believe Ajax has gold with De Ligt, Kluivert, Van de Beek, De Jong and will grow to a peak performance in the coming seasons. They’ll finish 2nd.

cocu shock

PSV has lost their spirit. The new hierarchy in the dressing room takes time. Willems is not properly replaced and something seems missing in Eindhoven. They’ll have an abysmal season. They’ll finish 4th.

Feyenoord is in the winning mood. They won’t be making waves in the Champions League but the new kids gel into the squad with ease and Feyenoord wins the title again. Quite rare for that to happen. Boetius has a super season, Jorgensen wins the golden boot again and Labayad is the coming man in Feyenoord’s midfield. Feyenoord wins the title.

dirk robin

The surprise #3 in the Eredivisie will be Vitesse. With good, neat pass and move, they upset most opponents and get to rub shoulders with the Top 3. AZ and FC Utrecht are just behind, with PEC Zwolle again impressing. VVV will drop back immediately.

It will be Kluivert’s real break through year, like Hendrix will snatch a starting birth at PSV.

EPL

Man City will win the title. Man United will again disappoint. Liverpool will do well in the CL as cupfighters. Newcastle will finish mid-table. The lads in England will have a mixed season. Janssen and Klaassen will struggle to get time. Blind, Wijnaldum and Fer will do very well. As will Nathan Ake. Van Dijk will move to Liverpool and will become their rock for seasons to come. Crystal Palace under De Boer will also impress with Riedewald and Van Aanholt on the wishlist of the bigger clubs.

wijnal fer

Elsewhere

Cillesen will get the #1 spot for Barcelona. Lens will impress in Turkey, like Promes will do in Moscow, if he doesn’t get a transfer before September 1. Karsdorp, Strootman, De Roon, De Vrij, Hoedt will keep on delivering the goods in Italy, while Robben will have one of his best seasons. Sneijder takes Nice by the horns but will finish fourth, behind PSG and Monaco. Lyon will finish third.

Dutch football will make the comeback we all hope for. We’ll have most players at mid-level European top clubs. No more Juve, Barca, Real or Chelsea but the mid-range players will form a solid team when they wear the Orange and the squad will only grow in quality with players like Van de Beek and De Jong of Ajax joining in.

Sneijder and Robben will lead the pack and young talents like Karsdorp, Memphis, Vilhena, Promes and even Kluivert will add to the recipe. It will be all good, my friends. I’m just still sad that Appie Nouri will never wear the Orange jersey….

1110ajax-molde_vdbeek_youne

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194 comments

    1. the problem in EPL is that u have to deliver from first game..they wont give u much chances even with injury kane…Janssen badly needs playing time and he is only hope as striker for ducth NT.

  1. @Jan you forgot to add Timothy Fosu Mensah at Crstal palace…with a 343 FDB is looking as he wants boming wing backs..
    Annhol———————RB/RW
    ——Raidwald—???—Mensah——-
    3 dutch players at defense….
    we have a hope there..

    1. @Tiju, Agree Crystal Palace will be of particular interest this year. Both Riedewald and TFM getting their opportunities. I read Jan’s comment differently than you did, I didn’t see TFM as an omission. He mentioned Ried. and PVA in the context of getting on the “wish list” of other clubs; TFM won’t be on anyone’s wish list, MU has him.

      I do have a question for those of you who write your lineups for France with Ake as the starting Defensive mf. I will agree that he looks like he could turn into a real good player, and I know he played in the mf as a youth player—but he has played almost exclusively as a defender the last couple of years in England. How is it that you see him ready to take on a mf role against the likes of Pogba, Kante, Matuide, when he doesn’t play that position? Please, understand, I’m not criticizing the pick, I assume you have your reasons, and I’m curious to hear them.

      1. Andrew i believe in efficiency than man made structure…i have seen Macherano play as defender,though he is DM..Ngolo kante and Nijel Dejong is as efficient as RVN in my book..
        Coz its team game and you have role in it,just finish your work in top class style…Both Nijel and Kante are RVNs of DM..
        Ake is so alert and very good player like wijnaldum and Blind…Due to their unfathomble talent,coaches TRUST THEM more.So put them in actually team is weak..i mean placing a superplayer where you are doubting the specialist over there.
        Ake is a specialist DM…yes he can defend like Mascherano..i think Wijnaldum and Blind are another victims ..Wijnaldum has amazing ball controlll which is required in final third…only Roben has more…But since he is strong he is used as DM as well…
        Daley Blind has more acacuracy than Depay and promes…He is much better player than Klassen and Propper..But the poor lad can defend as well..So he also used as defender…

        1. When you versatile you dont prove it. He was deployed at LB when he was at Watford but when he moved to borunemouth he was switched to CB without much questions asked. He even turned out to be better than when he was playing LB at watford.

          He has all the qualities of a DN and it is not that he doesnt play at DM, he hasnt had a chance to play there. It jus like how van gaal used Kyut in WC.

          1. @Wilson, Tiju, Thanks for the responses. Fair points. I don’t completely agree, especially given the particular position, but I get your thinking. Wilson’s comment about versatility, brings to mind a debate at the 1998 WC between Pele and Cruyff in advance of the Brazil-Oranje match. The subject was left back after Numan’s suspension. Bogarde was supposed to take the spot, but after he broke his leg in training, Hiddink moved Cocu to lb. Pele said he felt that the Dutch would miss Winston’s athleticism. Cruyff responded that Winston might be a great athlete, but Cocu was “football player.”

          2. @Andrew…exactly thats what u said…there is lack of perfection in Blind,Wijnaldum and Ake..when they play not their ideal spot which suits their skills…they are new Generations Cocu’s …But Hiddink played Cocu out of choice as Both were injured..

  2. Not watching the game, but I see that our man Memphis has put Lyon up 1-0.

    Maybe they gave him a point for slowly lifting weights or something??

  3. Arsenal just beat Leicester 4-3 to open the Premier League season. No Dutch players involved, but pretty exciting game nonetheless.

    Hope that bodes well for this upcoming season across the board. Would love to see more 4-3 scorelines 😀

  4. Yes Memphis was great. Saw ext highlights and he was in them mostly.

    I do rate Ake but to play him in the engine room vs France in a must-win match is similar to playing De Ligt in a key game (Bulgaria). Why risk it? Do we not have players for that role?

    The point being, that if you play outside of your position (Ake played central and left defender mostly) it might take him just an extra second to get his bearings. He will also be playing with “new” team mates. Another factor.

    So no! Don’t ruin Ake by risking this, when you have Strootman, De Roon, Clasie, Wijnaldum, etc.

    1. Ake had already trained and played against very top teams in PL which de ligt lacked..before Bulgaria game..So his case will be different,so is Mensah…Both are winners in PL..i mean hold on to Top teams were plenty of money is there to buy any player..
      On top of that Deligt was paired with BMI,with him Dutch backline would never be stable…Putting deligt was too early at that time..But i think Deligt now is almost ready which we have seen in Europa league..

  5. And yes, re: Crystal palace, I think Fosu Mensah is already at a European Top team. I was saying that for Aanholt and Riedewald, there will be room to grow and play for better clubs.

    I think Memphis, Promes, Tete, Hoedt and De Vrij are on the same list, for me.

    Janmaat, maybe not. Fer maybe not.

    1. How come I hear no rumours about promes? He is still young and already the best player in Russia. I’m surprised teams haven’t already picked him up

      1. @ Jan

        De ligt was daddy dannys fanstasy and compared to Ake who has proved himself in one of the best league in world speaks the volume for itself when it comes to comparing the two. Its either vs France or not at all. I mean it will defeat the purpose if gets to play there vs Lux, Bela or Bulg. He fits the bill and I dont think between him and strooman, there is another combo that could be as effective as in terms of the specific role that suits them.

        Strootman and Clasie could be acceptable but clasie comes with his own pros and cons and is better he be used effectively especially in the last quarter to inject more fluidity in the midfield.

        To be honest. Im not a big fan wijnaldum when it comes to NT. The reason being he has never rose to the occassion when NT need that extra something, something to get back into contention. Turkey, Iceland, france, Greece.

        As I always say if the midfield is not good and effoicient the forwards will go to sleep and this questions Tijus question what Depay was doing vs France. Its not only depay but Janssen and klaassen as well. But I do admit that lineup by Danny was horrofic one especially the midfield. Wijnaldum- Strootman- propper. Jesus christ what was Danny thinking.

        Ake and Strootman to start.

        Strootman and clasie to finish

        1. I’m not saying Ake and De Ligt are in similar circumstances. I’m making a case against playing players on a position they are not used to and with players around them they’re not used to.

          The risk is what I refreered to re: De Ligt. This kid’s confidence was smacked thanks to Blind. You don’t want Dickie to do this with Ake?

  6. IMO we should call up zivkovic. He is still very young and has alot of room for potential. He is getting his career back on track in Belgium and I think he can become a world class striker still

    1. Again think about it why didnt Utrecht permantely sign him and why did Ajax let him go. He is an exceptional talent for a striker but his finishing capabilities has really let him down. Thats his story.

        1. i could nt see first half..watching second halff….Fosu saved them from 3-0..Clean ferocious tackle in box…the guy was through to goal by yards…ther we could see the athletism and power of Mensah..

          1. This is a great opportunity for him to prove himself and take hold of a startling position on a Premier League club. I assume FdB will respect TFM’s future as a Dutch international and try to find him a consistent role and opportunity to perform (which may also allow him to step up as a more regular NT player).

          2. Mensah got subbed off in the game. Did he have a bad game or something I wasn’t able to watch

  7. After Watford and Liverpool finished 3-3 I was increasingly optimistic, but I’ve now suffered through an utterly joyless first half of Everton vs Stoke.

    I haven’t seen any action from Crystal Palace, but it doesn’t seem like a particularly good start for FdB.

    Meanwhile Burnley is destroying Chelsea 3-0.

    As for lineups versus France, I’m all for these younger guys getting experience and playing on top flight club teams, but France is essentially a must win game for WC qualification. I don’t think it’s the time for experimentation and playing people out of position.

    1. Hard to disagree with you about playing players out of position or starting unproven players in such a match, esp when we see over and over that personal errors happen in these situations and we in particular seem to struggle with these lapses in our NT..

  8. Not very impressed with Koeman’s Everton so far. Was hoping to see Klaasen have much more of an impact, but he just has been uninvolved. Rooney is running the show and dropping deep to begin the attack. And now Klaasen is coming out…

      1. I just expected him to have more impact on the run of play. It may be just getting used to playing with Rooney, who seemed pretty ball dominant in this opening game. Rooney actually seemed a little re-invigorated and to be enjoying himself, which may be a good thing for Everton. Klaasen may have to just find where he fits best between Rooney and Schneiderlin.

  9. Guess I’m back from holiday just in time for a fresh season! 🙂
    was an easy summer (of heartbreak and disappointment) to sort of forget about football for a bit.. hope everyone here is well.
    I’ll post some news blurbs for players I am interested in, for anyone interested, since I enjoy following our players and look it all up for myself anyway..

    nice to see Memphis scores yesterday, and Tete with some minutes too in a Lyon away win..
    Dost scored a pen for Sporting in a 1-0 win.

    In the EPL today poor Wijnaldum, missed a big chance to put Liverpool up 4-2 and then his botched clearance ended up the tying goal for Watford in the 3-3 draw.. Janmaat had started as well, but off injured in the first half. unfortunately classic for him.
    Klaassen starts his first epl match for Koeman, with Steks on the bench. Not super involved, created 1 chance in his 60 minutes, but was the reason Rooney was unchallenged for the only goal.
    Pieters started as LWB for Stoke, Martins Indi not playing.
    Neither super impressive in a pretty boring match.
    de Boer starts his Crystal Palace career doing 343 with Fosu-Mensah on the RCB and Riedewald on LCB, and with van Aanholt playing LWB. Down 0-2 after 30 mins unfortunately.. rough start as they lose 0-3.
    Neither van Dijk (obvs) or Clasie in Southamptons team v Swansea, who had Fer starting and Narsingh stayed on their bench. 0-0 there.
    Ake back to his spot at CB for Bournemouth who lost away at West Brom 1-0.
    Propper is about to start his first game in england as well, tough home match versus City.

  10. AZ have been very unfortunate that they lost Calvin Stengs through injury within first five minutes. After his departure AZ lost entire attacking power. HOwever, instead of going compact, they still go forward leaving a lot of gap in defence. PSV have had at least four clear cut chances to score….Very disappointed how AZ play the game. Defense, especially Ron Vlaar is very shaky. Ron is so slow…and midfield is not creative at all…Although AZ had a great pre-season, I see the same team as last year: nothing has changed.

    1. I think after that injury-plagued time before he moved back to Eredivisie, Vlaar lost a lot of his speed. still remember how he able to catch Hazard running from about ten steps behind, and that matches in WC2014.

      I hope AZ still can give some fight. is Stengs injury a bad one?

  11. Sanchez not included in Ajax squad. if he really is leaving… this is terrible, Ajax has to find a replacement, only about 3 weeks left in this transfer window.
    any good, upcoming CB from Jong Ajax? I think there’s not one good CB in the market left… Van Aken?

      1. He certainly has but then you have look at his capabiluties as a overall player and in this case as winger.thats where you will find his flaws compared to other wingers who are ahead of him.

    1. First was own goal,Mensah cannt do anything in that..He was beast as usual..Only draw back was Crystal palace was tariling 2-0,so FDB decided to furthur attack,Where was not giving great threat in attack…he seems little tired to…seconds after withdarwal of Mensah they scored 3 goal…the Munia was best player in the match,as the munia was athletic and fast,yet he was not match for Mensah,Mensah owned him…

  12. I have checked AZ website, there is no any update on Calvin’s condition. Not sure what it is but it is definitely does not look good. His playing style resembles Adam Maher’s style when he started to chine in Alkmaar.

  13. Surprised to see Robben, only after just returning to training recently, on the bench for Bayern yesterday, but of course came on to create a few chances and assisted a Hummels goal in a 5-0 win..
    Promes started at LW for Spartak in a 2-1 loss

    No minutes for Janssen or Vorm for Spurs at Newcastle..
    Blind starts and plays 90 for United, and still taking the corners as well… surprised he remains a mourinho player but what do I know. So great on the ball though, in these days of playmaking wingbacks I guess it should not be such a surprise. They smash West Ham 4-0.

    El Ghazi played 90, although he can boast 100% passing acc in the final 3rd his side lose 3-0..
    Kongolo stayed on Monaco’s bench in a 1-4 win.

    Bazoer played 90 in a 0-1 win for Wolfsburg at Norderstedt, didn’t get to watch it but notice he had lots of recoveries, was 100% on take-ons and created 4 chances.
    good things to build on..

  14. Liverpool gave up 3 goals to Watford? I think VVD’s (and Southampton’s) negotiating position just got better.

    Klaassen looked like he needed to get used to the speed and intensity of the EPL.Propper looked like a guy playing with strangers (which he was, for all intents and purposes). No reason to think they won’t adapt.

    For all the constant talk (literally from his first season) of his place in the squad being jeopardy, Blind is in his 4th year with MU, is the starting lb. Says something.

  15. @Depay, You could be right. My belief is that Mourinho would put greater weight on a league game (especially the opener), than the Super Cup. But who knows? Maybe it is just a question of which player fits into his scheme for that particular game.

    1. Shaw and Rojos are both injured . Speculation over Danny Rose moving to Man United is also building with both parties tight lipped on the negiotation. Shaw is slightly ahead of Blind but is injury prone.Rojos and Darmain are no upgrade to Blind either so you can expect daley to be starting alot unless some who is an upgrade to him arrives before the window closes.

    2. Blind is the no.1 LB. he’s the fittest out of the other options. he may have limitations, but he can hold on his own.

      one thing popped up in mind, there are some ManUtd fans who mocked him for his crossings/passings. are they out of their mind? he’s one of the best they have!

  16. Some predictions may not come true but one prediction that netherlands is going to win all its next matches is not easy as said as we can be hopeful but i dont agree with you on this that is after qualification Netherland may not go far in the WC 2018. What i feel is If Netherland aactually qualifies from here then there is chance that Netherland could go far and even win the world cup next year. only thay need to play steady from the begining doing no mistakes and defending well and then peak for the semis or the final match.

    1. Who is the best RB

      Who are the best CBs

      Who is the best LB

      Who is the best DM

      Who is the best CM

      Who is the best striker

      Who is the best GK.

      To date this is still unkown and apart from Van Dijk and Robben, the rest are pretty much floatin g here and there. This is where it has all failed to materiailize.the world cup is around the corner but yet there is no clue who the best players for individual spots are.its times like these when you look back and ask you self what the f**K has been happening all this time.

      1. Answers..

        Who is the best RB—-Tete

        Who are the best CBs–Devrij-Virgil

        Who is the best LB—-Kongolo

        Who is the best DM–Nathan Ake

        Who is the best CM—Bazoer

        Who is the best striker–Janssen

        Who is the best GK.—–Cillessen

          1. Blind,Wijnaldum,Ake are all rounders..even Bazoer too….Ake is natural DM..Blind can be devastating up front he could be better than toni kroos..Wijnaldum should be 1000 times better than our current leftwingers..
            Beleive me Bazoer is superb talent who can dribble pass 2 players at ease and give nice visionary pass and brilliant in reading the game..these players are victims of selfishness of coaches..

  17. alright, Robben finally got some needed minutes.

    with current fitness and form of our players, IMO these are the probable call-ups, sorted by the most probable starter:

    GK: (Cillessen), Zoet, Vorm
    DF: (Veltman, De Vrij, BMI, Blind), Tete, De Ligt, Hoedt, Kongolo — Van Dijk, Willems, Bruma
    MF: (Strootman, Wijnaldum, Sneijder), Klaassen, Bazoer, Toornstra, Vilhena —
    Van De Beek, Van Ginkel
    FW: (Robben, Janssen, Promes), Depay, Bergwijn, Berghuis, Dost — Kluivert, Locadia

    and by the way, just knew that Kenneth Paal is now a converted LB at PSV. is he doing any good there? I remember how he rivalled Nouri and Marlon Slabbekoorn (which disappear now) at youth NT level.

    1. Van Dijk hasn’t even played at preseason, right? until his situation fixed up, I think Advocaat won’t risk calling him up.

      and Hoedt, despite his preseason minutes, I think will not getting regular time until France match. honestly I’ll also pick him over BMI. but BMI will get his regular minutes in remaining mathces for Stoke. he only missed the league opener because he’s just arrived.

      oh yeah, forgot about Ake. him over Willems.

      1. BMI??????????????????Ohhh my dear God…who will save us from BMI?????……
        He was there in 2014 WC,LVG had to hide him ..thanks to kuyt-Wijnaldum-Blind-Dejong…
        2016ECQ he was there to make sure that we dont go to EC2016..mistakes after mistakes and red card at wrong time…
        2018WCQ yest again Vs bulgaria to support young Deligt….
        WE DONT NEED BMI…..
        Our best defenders are
        LB-Kongolo/Blind/
        LCB-Virgil/Hoedt/Mensah/Deligt
        RCB–Devrij/Bruma/Mensah/Veltman
        RB–Tete/karsdorp/Mensah
        We dont need him at all….Even Vander heijden is much better than him..

  18. I think just the lb and DM are undecided yet. I still think we need someone stronger than blind. I know he has great passing but his defensive abilities are not the best. And we also need a proven DM. When veltman played CB in the game vs ivory coast he even said he had trouble because he was always drifting to the right after playing rb for a season. And CB is his natural position. So I think ake will have the same problem

        1. here is the better translation.

          “Monday investigation revealed that his front crotch band was torn off. AZ reports that the teenager can not take action this season”

          1. Hopefully, this is not going to be something that will prohibit him playing football at all…Had a fast recovery, Calvin!

          2. torn muscle takes pretty long to properly recover. groin injury isn’t that much career-affecting (compared to ACL, for example). but it’s usually recurrent.

  19. Squad Vs france should be
    first11——-onbench
    Cillessen—–Padt—–Zoet
    Tete———-Mensah—-RB
    Devrij——–Veltman—RCB
    Hoedt———Virgil—-LCB
    Kongolo——-Blind—–LB
    Ake———–Strootman-DM
    Bazoer——–Vilhena—CM
    Toonstra——Vanginkel-CM
    Roben———Lenz——RW
    Janssen——-Klassen—Striker
    Wijnaldum—–Babel—–LW

        1. Deapy9..
          Veltman is really a RCB not RB,yes he can be RB…But French players so athletic and fast as we saw in Ajax Vs lyon…Tete saved his A@@ss…So when you have Tete-Mensah–karsdorp…No need of veltman as RB…
          Wijnaldum and Babel has quality ,Deapy just ran away from EPL…He is too slow and fat for a winger..he lacks workrate too..Eihreh Wijnaldum or Babel would be ideal vs strong teams like france…May be against luxuburg,club brugge,mitjland,Strausburg…Depay might work well…No chance vs France as he played vs France under Blind..

          1. Did u not see the first friendly vs France. Depay came on in the second half and set up two goals to tie the game.

          2. when it comes to Depay, he won’t be objective.

            btw, you should change your nickname to Depay11. he changed his number this season.

    1. when there’s such thing going on, usually players are left altogether from the matchday squad.. he’ll do fine in England though. Lazio hasn’t giving him enough chance.

      1. Yeah the transition will be good for him. Eredivisie,serie A and now epl, but must say he will need to step up as most teams in epl have strikers of high quality which could make life miserable.

  20. Looking at other Youngesters today in DFB Pokal. Van Drogolen was on the bench for Hamburg and suffered defeat to a second divison side. Gervane Kasteneer played full second half for Kaiserslautern and they won 4-1. Hoogma never made it to the match day squad for hoffenhiem.

    1. if its 343 then it should be
      —-Janssen——-Roben——-
      ———–Toonstra————
      Williams-Ake—Bazoer—–Vanrhijn
      —-kongolo—Devrij–Mensah——–
      ———–Cillessen—————
      on Bench
      —–Babel——Wijnaldum———
      ———Vanginkel————–
      Haps—Blind—Strootman—-Tete
      ——Deligt–Virgil–Veltman—–
      ———-Padt—————-

  21. I like what I see of Mensah. he always looks hungry and never thinks twice when putting his body on line. these are the qualities you want too see in fullbacks.cystal palace are up against Liverpool this week and if he continues to play like what he did vs Huddersfield, I cant see any reason why he can not start vs France. for me he is defintely ahead of tete and Veltman and like Ake his exposure at epl level should be enough for him to transit on to the international stage.
    fingers crossed there wont be causalities before the France game. I think there two more rounds before the international break and Dick will announce his preliminarily squad after this week rounds.

    1. I think FDB needs to put a good fitter behind benteke to utilize him more effectively. if not with the midfield stretching in 3-4-3- will always drag him further back. they wing sytem and a fitter in the middle will enable benteke getting serviced as much as possible and more effectively .

  22. The best line up is

    Depay-janssen-robbben

    Wijnaldum-toornstra-vilhena

    Willems-VVD-DeVrij-Tete

    Cillisen

    But probably strootman and klaasen will play with wijnaldum and blind on lb. That’s who I realistically will start

    1. midfield is too offensive and none are defensively sound. you need to go back to look at the last four games NT played vs France. Willems was man handled last time when he played vs France. he only comes with good crosses which is jus not enough when considering the job on hand is do both attack and defend. do you really need Janssen when Robben is playing.

      1. well I also agree pretty much with you, Dick might jus stick to the same lineup as vs Luxembourg as most upcoming players are still not tested at international level but then given the depth in the french team it will be hard to topple them and also since there is no friendlies before the game,it again makes it harder to find new combinations.

        contray to above looking at how Kardorp got his break after that greek game where veltman was exposed, Brenet first performance at NT level vs Belgium where he nearly hit the winner, you can always argue on the capabilities of incoming new players.

  23. What we need is a Nemanja Matic type performance out of Kevin Strootman. There was a time, approximately four years ago, when he was being hailed as the next great Dutch player, to the extent that LVG had to revamp the national team’s entire formation and system due to his injury. 2017 Strootman may never again be the same physically as he was in 2013-14, but if he could put in a performance against France like Matic did for United this weekend, it would give Advocaat the freedom to go for it with a much more attacking side. I feel that he still has it in him; we just need to see it

    1. Dick needs to take the risk with Ake and release strootman up front.worst case scenario even if they lose it wont go to waste as by the time Sweden is up,NT Will a new DM.

    1. wow. I thought Glyfi are going back to Spurs.
      agreed that Klaassen will have even less chance. the CM/DM already filled by the likes of Schneiderlin, Gueye, Barry, Besic.
      hope Barkley won’t make a U-turn.

  24. Terrible injury for Stengs. Advocaat and Gullit were on the stands checking him out. What a talent!

    In the first 5 minutes he was the man of the match.

    He sadly didn’t want to let go of the ball and this headstrongness cost him. He’s out for a full season and hopefully he’ll recover. Sad.

  25. provisional squad named by DA and guilt.

    Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton), Jeroen Zoet (PSV).

    Defenders: Nathan Aké (AFC Bournemouth), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Wesley Hoedt (Lazio), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax), Bruno Martins Indi (Stoke City), Karim Rekik (Hertha BSC), Kenny Tete (Olympique Lyon), Joël Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio).

    Midfield: Donny van de Beek (Ajax), Marco van Ginkel (PSV), Davy Klaassen (Everton), Davy Pröpper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Wesley Sneijder (OGC Nice), Kevin Strootman (AS Roma), Jens Toornstra (Feyenoord), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool).

    Attack: Ryan Babel (Besiktas), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon), Bas Dost (Sporting Lisbon), Eljero Elia (Istanbul Basaksehir), Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur), Jeremain Lens (Besiktas), Jürgen Locadia (PSV), Robin van Persie (Fenerbahçe), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Arjen Robben (Bayern München).

    1. Ryan babel>>>>>>>>>>>>thats a master call…why stekelenburg??BMI???Davy propper???….
      unfortunate omissions..
      Fosu mensah,Nathan Ake,,,,,we have no DM
      Babel—-Janssen—-Roben
      ——–Toonstra——–
      –Vilhena——Strootman—
      Blind–Hoedt–Devirj—Tete
      ———-Cillessen————are the best first 11 we can have..

  26. Like the u21 squad.

    Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Joël Drommel (FC Twente), Yanick van Osch (PSV).

    Defenders: Hidde ter Avest (FC Twente), Damian van Bruggen (VVV-Venlo), Kevin Diks (Feyenoord), Rick van Drongelen (Hamburger SV), Denzel Dumfries (SC Heerenveen), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace), Thomas Ouwejan (AZ), Jairo Riedewald (Crystal Palace), Jeremiah St. Juste (Feyenoord).

    Midfielders: Pelle van Amersfoort (SC Heerenveen), Juninho Bacuna (FC Groningen), Frenkie de Jong (Ajax), Jeremy Helmer (AZ), Bart Ramselaar (PSV), Pablo Rosario (PSV), Jari Schuurman (Feyenoord), Guus Til (AZ)

    Attackers: Ilias Alhaft (Sparta Rotterdam), Steven Bergwijn (PSV), Vito van Crooij (VVV-Venlo), Gervane Kastaneer (1. FC Kaiserslautern), Justin Kluivert (Ajax), Sam Lammers (PSV), Richairo Zivkovic (KV Oostende).

      1. He is young and inexperienced. Partially, due to the lack of experience of playing at high level he made that stupid move towards the ball that was already lost. He was so eager to show his brilliance that got burned out. It is OK. I am pretty sure he will recover faster than one year and will shine next year in AZ.

  27. Bravo Utrecht! They played fantastic game against Zenit and deservedly won 1:0. They have very smart coach. Erik ten Hag is one of the most promising young coaches in the Netherlands. I never liked Utrecht and do not like them now either but I am glad that they contributed to the NED UEFA coefficient.

      1. They also have good depth in the squad which could be crucial as well. Jean-Christophe Bahebeck has sealed a season-long loan from Paris St Germain. Looks like Yassin Ayoub will not leave and patrick joosten is still recovering. Could be tightest finish this season in eredivisie.

  28. Marco asensio is turning on the heat at Real Madrid big time This guy is destined for stardom . Cant blame him for chosing spain as the future ahead for him was better there than in NT.

  29. Increasing likely.with no injuries.

    Cillessen

    Tete- De Vrij-Hoedt-Blind

    Wijnaldum- Strootman

    Robben- Sneijder-Depay

    Janssen

    Also I wont be suprised if RVP starts. I dont think dick has called him up for no reason.

    1. Wijanldum–Strootman–Sneijder is the most static midfeild we could have,if u add Propper to it u will have a more static mid…
      Replace Depay with Babel
      then replace Stroot with Ake..
      Sneijder with Toonstra..

    2. please, count match-fitness too.
      that is the sole reason why Van Dijk was omitted.

      Toornstra/Promes is ahead of Sneijder. can’t remember his last game in preseason.

      Cillessen
      Veltman – DeVrij – Hoedt – Blind
      Strootman – Wijnaldum – Toornstra
      Robben – …RvP… – Depay

      sub:
      Vandebeek for Wijnaldum
      Promes for Depay
      Tete for Veltman

    1. Like in wolfsburg he initially got neglected by that stupid coach,finally wofsburg fired him …After that Andreas jonker took over and Bazoer is first on the team sheet…
      So its just matter of time our midfeild will be
      Ake,Bazoer,Strootman,Wijnaldum,Toonstra,Vilhena…

  30. Next Friday 25 Advocate will have final 23…i really dont want to see Propper,BMI,Dost,Depay in final squad.
    i hope he realises veltman cannt handle physically fast french wingbacks and wingers..

    1. Propper, dost, BMI and depay will no doubtedly be in the squad. With depay very likely to start. You have to stop being so biased and actually look at how good the players are

        1. It doesn’t matter if they are in the squad or not only depay will play of that group. max 14 people play in one game so it doesn’t matter if a few bad players get in the squad

          1. Depay has not played a good game for NT vs any strong teams..was a waste in last games..total downgrade to promes when given chance aginst france in first match…i hope Babel starts over him..

  31. Wesley hoedt to southampton confirmed. Another success story of the length some players have to go through to prove them self. From a free agent to a 15 million pounds man. hope he follows van dijks footstep.also if van dijks transfer saga fails to materialize then we could yet see another dutch combo should van dijk remain at southampton.

    1. I think feyenoord are trying to reinforce their squad in all deparments with good backup as well. Its a good strategy given they will have busy schedule due to CL and EL should they drop plus eredivisie. Promotes healthy competition amongst players to try and bring the best out of them. He is proven player and will be a good fit in the team.

          1. Van persie to Feyenoord was either take a pay cut or not join at all. He is getting minutes at Fenerbache which means paycheck is rolling.

      1. he had bad game last one..i dont know exact reason…he is new to club..he stared last game only FDB was coach…Mensah as usual having a nice game defensively..

  32. Another 90 minutes for Blind, another good game and clean sheet. Lacklustre game in general, then the last 10 mins when Swansea completely caved. Fer was ok until then, but couldn’t do much, Narsingh played the last 20 mins or so but not very influential. 4-0 United win.
    Fosu-Mensah and van Aanholt continue for Palace, Riedewald misses out with a groin problem. Wijnaldum starts in the heart of Liverpools team as usual. Fair result for all, in a stingy 1-0 Liv win. really dumb yellow by van Aanholt, but played okay before subbed off. Fosu-Mensah very strong, but caught out a bit on Liverpools breakthrough with 15 mins left..
    Ake starts his usual LCB spot for Bournemouth, versus his old Watford where Janmaat was out, but unfortunately lose 0-2 at home.
    Propper continued for Brighton in a 2-0 loss at Leicester.
    No dutchies in Southamptons side – we know about van Dijk, but is Clasie injured again, or just not preferred? Again not even in the side, but I read a rumour he may go for Lazio so who knows. Somehow they almost drew to 10 man West Ham after going 2-0 up, but an injury time penalty spares them embarrassment. They could use the defensive natured van Dijk and Clasie, sounds like!

    Bazoer and Verhaugh started in a big home 0-3 loss to Bosz’ Dortmund. Bazoer withdrawn after an hour..
    Gouweleuuw started again at Augsburg, in a 1-0 loss away.
    Rekik with another CS win in Berlin.

    Promes has a couple assists in Moscow.
    Tete and Memphis both start for Lyon, Tete scores assisted by Memphis. HT over there..

  33. Sneijder also featured for Nice. Lasted an hour or so.looks like he will get to start vs France with another game or so before the break.

    Robbens injury comes as a no suprise. I said this before. Its always better to have him out of the picture.looks like his best replacement will be Lens. Both him and babel were active for Beskitas in 2-2 draw vs Osmanlispor. Lens came on in the last quater whereas Babel was subbed late in game after scoring the first goal.

    Feel sorry for my man jordy clasie. He is now surplus at Southampton and if not for injury dont think he will see much game time. Didnt realize southampton have already signed mario lemina from juventus. They were talks going on how his arrival will have a impact on him and now its clear he has to move in order to play more regularly.

    Rick van drongelen also featured full 90 minutes for hamburg in their 1-0 win overAugsburg. Good future lies ahead for him. Jus 18 and is starting in bundasliga. Certainly a good future prospect for NT and heir to van dijk.

  34. I remember talking about this guy some time back.vito van crooj. This was when Art Langeler selected him for U21s while he was still playing in eereste divisie.well he is in eredivisie now and still playing for VVV Venlo and defintely a talent to watch out for.already two wins and two goals for him.

    https://youtu.be/lwvbdqzvTX0

  35. Van der weil to cagliari confirmed. Bit a shame, 8 season of champions league and a time when he should have been at his peak.he is struggling, looking for clubs. I guess he never prioritized football so this is what you get.

  36. Huntelaar with a rare start for Ajax and showed he is still one of the most lethal strikers in the box. I have always maintained this,jus keep things simple with him. A good fitter, and two natural wingers to deliver crosses, goals are guranteed with huntelaar. With younes missing and with Kuilvert and Neres starting it just turned out perfect for him. Ziyech with a lively cross and a bullet header from him.

    Also its no surprise that Locadia is getting the nod over Luuk de Jong and after the two games I must say Locadia deserves to do so. He may not be a typical striker but his contribution all around is so instrumental. His selection in the extended squad for NT shows his performance has not gone unnoticed.this guy needs to start vs France.if need to be over Janssen, so be it.

      1. Yep forgot about him. Must say cenry picked up from where he left off. He was frozen under bosz and after his performance vs Groningen he defintely will give keizer more option upfront especially when huntelaar starts. Inverted wing system doesnt suit huntelaar at all. It would be in the best intrest to start huntelaar with Cerny and Kluivert in normal wing system and dolberg with younes and Kluivert in inverted.

        I wont be suprised either if the line up vs Rosenborg is same as vs Groningen.

    1. “”””this guy needs to start vs France.if need to be over Janssen, so be it.””
      Wilson….yes i agree but not over Janssen who is star in NT than Dost,Depay and BMI..so let it over be Depay….that would help us a lot..

      1. Depay plays in France and you are saying he shouldn’t start. O I forget you are dump ass. if he fit I dont see any reason why he shouldnt start . as for Janssen the only reason I said he should start is because he was anonymous in the last game and also he not active at all at tottenham.

        1. hey twa$$t Wilson….Ur Depay shi####ts in every game,while Janssen shines in every NT match…i fotgot u r Anti Blind,Anti Janssen etc…Fortunatly both Blind and janssen will start..

          1. You are anti strootman delay and veltman but they will probably start Emmanuel so what is your point. Memphis plays in France I’m pretty sure he’s the best person to play in the game not even considering he is the best LW we have

  37. Roma defeated Atalanta 1-0.hans hateboer and strootman featured for full 90 while De Roon came on the last quarter. Roma were lucky to score from set piece other wise Atalanta had a upper hand through out the game but were not able to score.Atalanta is also in europa league and also have a good squad this year.I wonder if DA should have selected him instead of veltman.

    In bundasliga both Willems and De Guzman played full 90 for Eintracht Frankfut but were held to a goalless draw.

  38. apparently Bayern, Dortmund and Liverpool are in hot pursuit of this young dutch defender Perr Schuurs. just 17 and is already club captain for Fortuna Sittard in eerste Divisie. he also was on trial at liverpool before returning back to Fortuna Sittard and now seems have attracting big clubs.

    wonder why Ajax is not in that list

  39. Dolberg just won talent of the year hopefully they sell him before he has an awful year this year and his value drops. Huntelaar just proved he is still good enough and ajax don’t need dolberg

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