Viagra being a metaphor for some positive energy. The end of the season…only a key qualification game for us, a Champions League finals and some (Turkey) last matches on the roster. And some friendlies and testimonials.
Which means the different blog suppliers ( template, server, domain name) are sending me their invoices again.
So this annual request for some support is upon you! If you enjoy the blog and would love for it to be around longer, I would highly appreciate your contribution. If you can, of course. The donate button is on the home page ;-).
My gratitude to all of you for your support, in spirit, in postings and in dollars as well…
While you’re grabbing the last pennies from your piggybank, I will help you celebrate our win over Ivory Coast.
It has to be said: you know I dislike friendlies. But if we win a friendly 5-0, I actually take the friendly serious, all of a sudden.
And yes I know, Ivory Coast is not as strong as they used to be (but that applies to Oranje as well). And sure, what does Ivory Coast care, really? For Oranje though, it was a key game. We lost a lot of goodwill amongst the fans, we embarrassed ourselves in this WC qualification round, so much so that a Dutch football icon – Danny Blind – was ousted of the job, without any Plan B in the drawer. The joke that was (is?) the KNVB is still not finished (although we all heard the punchline, and you know what? It ain’t funny!) as former NT Manager and former assistant manager Scrooge Dick Advocaat comes back in.
But the team is fighting hard to get some pride back. To show to the fans – and to themselves! – that they can do it. Five qualifications games to go and ideally five wins are needed to secure a ticket for Russia.
We have skills, we have some very good players and one out and out world class star. We also need some grit, some willpower and some belief, and then it will all come good.
Some of it was on display vs Ivory Coast. We scored 5, we conceded zero (great save Jesper Cillesen!!) and the fans gobbled it up. A lot went well, some didn’t go so well. Ivory Coast were able to cut straight through the centre of the park on occasions and a strong Cillesen and some fortune meant we kept a clean sheet.
We played 4-3-3 in possession and a compact 4-5-1 when we lost it, with lone wolf Janssen up top. I think we can safely say that Vincent Janssen is the Oranje #9. He is the ideal target man, always hussling, strong in possession, creating havoc and trying to find either a team mate or the target. He created the penalty for 2-0, he assisted Klaassen’s goal and scored the fifth as a real poacher in the box. Yes, he has limitations. Lacks speed, lacks the silky touch, but that can also be said of a certain Gerd Muller. Six goals in 12 internationals and a couple of assists. Not bad.
Robben, Memphis and Promes all three look like starters. Memphis is threatening, has moments of magic and will always bind two defenders, as will Robben. Memphis didn’t play at his best, but the curler to the top corner was another example of his potential. Robben on other hand is enjoying his second (or is it third?) wind and was instrumental again, with his runs, his assist and his immaculate penalty.
Strootman played a strong game in midfield again, while Propper still seems too light for this Oranje. He’s a good player on the ball, velvet touch and good vision, but it’s all too much in one pace and he lacks a bit of venom in the challenges. He might step up still, but he probably needs to move to a higher level. Or not, and he’ll stay on the level of PSV Eindhoven (top of Eredivisie) for the rest of his career. Klaassen is a wonderful player of course, does a lot of work, smart running and positioning and always head up. His goal was a typical Klaassen goal: recognising the opportunity, busting a gut to get in the box at the exact right time. But as a number 10 I think he’s not top notch enough to replace the aging Sneijder. Promes might be the ideal player on that spot.
Kenny Tete and Rick Karsdorp will do nicely as right backs and Joel Veltman is a good player, who fits well in the centre back role as long as the opponent doesn’t play with Andy Carrol and Peter Crouch. Daley Blind was one of the best on the pitch, yet again, with solid interventions, great positioning, good runs in the channel and it was his little solo into the box that got us the corner which resulted in the 1-0. Blind can play centre back, left back and even holding mid. He will never make you weaker, unless he’s up against fast counter-attacking teams. But he didn’t get into trouble against Ajax in the EL finals and actually didn’t get into trouble all season.
The only weak spot for me is Martins Indi. He didn’t really get into trouble but at times he looks a bit clueless and he’ll still mix up beautiful long cross passes with more short range passes that float over the byline.
Viergever, Propper, Ramselaar, Berghuis and De Roon were let go after these two friendlies. Spoilt for choice in midfield (Propper, Ramselaar, De Roon) with Ake, Toornstra, Vilhena as other options. Viergever isn’t needed either, as De Vrij and De Ligt will return to the squad. As right winger, Advocaat prefers Lens over Berghuis, a player he knows very well of course, from his Fenerbahce days.
We will beat Luxembourg and I do think we’ll win all the games coming up, with France as the key one. If we play as we did today (which we won’t), it will be hard. But if we can lay down a solid performance, with a fit and tenacious midfield (maybe a 4-5-1 with Promes up top, Janssen as super sub and some body and running in midfield) I don’t see why we couldn’t beat Les Blues!
Oranje does need to applaud the work of Peter Bosz (and indirectly Jonk, Bergkamp, Cruyff). It was clearly visible in the Ivory Coast game at times how Bosz’ lessons dripped into Oranje. With Tete, Veltman and Klaassen at times hunting and pressing. Wijnaldum will gladly chip in and once De Vrij and De Ligt are back, the intensity of our game could well be helped by the football style of Ajax’ success coach.
The 5-0 could easily have been 8-2. Cillesen needed to show up with saves and Janssen, Wijnaldum, Depay and Robben all had opportunities to score and there were several breaks where the killer pass didn’t eventuate.
With all the joy of the victory, Wesley Sneijder had his private party for eclipsing Van der Sar’s record. Finally! And I’m convinced he’ll play a couple more minutes/games before he retires from Oranje. Hopefully after a WC campaign in Russia. He lacks speed, he might not make it for the full 90 minutes, but on the ball he’s still killer diller.
Joel Veltman played CB and scored a brace. Doesn’t happen a lot. His first was a shouldered goal, totally unmarked while his second was a tap in from a Robben cross…totally unmarked. “We didn’t play great, but we were efficient. We know African opponents, we know they’re physical and good on the ball but their organisation is lacking. We knew how to use that. I had a couple of knocks at decided to stay put in defence in the second half. And yes, I was totally unmarked on both goals, but it does help when you have Memphis and Arjen on the wings. They can find your adam’s apple with the ball. Playing centre back was a challenge to be honest. It’s been a while. But Bruno made sure I stayed in position whenever I drifted to the right, hahaha.”
Jesper Cillesen had a smile from ear to ear: “God, I needed this! It’s been a year since my last Oranje cap. It was important for me to show the coaches I’m ready. Yes, I didn’t play a lot, but I train on the very highest level and I think I improved. That last save was a top one, right? Got the ball straight on my nose. Luckily I have a big one.”
Captain Arjen Robben was critical, despite the comfortable win. “I try to look at the whole picture, not just the 5-0 win. And I think we need to improve. At times it’s not quick enough. We release the ball too slow. We need to play with more intensity to really break down the opponents in the serious games. I do think Oranje suffered the last years with all these injuries and changing starting line ups. It’s key now to keep this squad together and to keep on building.”
And so, the reign of Fred Grim ends on a high, per Tuesday coming week, Big Dick and Cool Ruud are in charge.
My friends, I’m positive! I’ve seen enough to see that we simply need to win all our games and can win all our games. A good Oranje can win four, if Oranje is great vs France, we can beat them too! Play Nathan Ake on Pogba and De Vrij on Griezman and we’re in business.
Thanks Jan for the article..Yeah we need money too understand the issue well..
I was watching the game full 90 minutes…i didnt liked the selection of Memphis,Propper and BMI on first hand..i was happy to finally veltman is put where he belonged..
Í was annoyed by Memphis the most followe dby Proper and BMI.i know that BMI was not tested well coz such was performance from Blind (He was top notch) and Tete..Veltman was really good as well,however i dont think veltman is that good in air..I was pissed of to see Memphis loosing the ball everytime or he makes bad pass..i wanted Gini in that spot over Memphis that would have made our team incredibly strong…
luxumberg
Wijnaldum—-Janssen——-Roben
——Toonstra——Strootman—
————-Ake—————–
Blind—-Hoedt—Devrij—Tete
————Cillessen—————
Veltman is actually a very good header and is a good jumper too, but he’s simply not that tall
I agree with you Jan we have enough quality to win all of our games although against France Advocaat needs to be really smart and as you said have someone all over Pogba and Griezman. Against France we need strong midfielders.
Against France:
——————Cillessen————-
——-Tete—DeVrij—Hoedt—-Blind–
–Toornstra-Wijnaldum-Strootman-Vilhena–
————-Robben—Janssen————
*I wouldn’t play Ake on that game it might come too early for him.
*If Van Dijk is fit then Hoedt goes to the bench.
*Those midfielders all have the quality to get some balls back but also they are great with long range shots.
*Cillessen impressed yesterday. He was much better than Zoet with the ball on his feet.
I am very happy with Janssen’s performances with Holland.
They must take every single game as a final. Even if it’s against Luxembourg.
I remember it was with Advocaat that we beat Scotland 6-0 when he used Sneijder and Sneijder was amazing in that game so he might surprise us with some nice changes.
Gullit will give mentality to the team and charisma.
Seems to me that the bigger game Friday is Sweden-France. (I’m assuming a win over Lux. because if they can’t win that one…) A win by France and Oranje could probably take second even with a loss in France if they win all of their other games; and with both Sweden and Bulgaria at home, easily doable…would have only to make up to make up the goal difference (Sweden is plus 7, Netherlands, plus 2) over the remaining games.
@miguel,
If France beats Sweden, and we end up losing to France but beating Sweden, then the goal difference wouldn’t be an issue because in Europe it is the direct matches that matter, in this case we will be second, because we drew 1-1 in Sweden and we will have beat them in the Netherlands in the second game!!!
If both oranje and sweden lose to France, and sweden wins the other games but loses the last one to oranje and oranje wins all games except France, then oranje and sweden will have 19 points in the end, and oranje becomes second in the group regardless of goal difference!!!!
Let’s hope sweden doesn’t get a point against France because that would be a semi disaster for us!!!!!
Alaa, Thanks for the clarification about goal difference.
Hot from the press: Peter Bosz is off to Dortmund, partly because of a giant rift in Ajax’ management and backroom staff. Bosz and right-hand man Kruzen couldn’t work with Bergkamp, Spijkerman, L’Ami and Van der Sar. Bosz and Overmars were good.
But Bosz basically demanded: they go or I go, earlier in the season. Oranje Ajax players confirmed this off the record.
The Ajax board were reluctant to let their Ajax backroom quartet go for a “passer-by”.
So Peter…passed by.
Jan, please let Ajax know I might be interested. You have my CV.
Thank you!
When i look back i feel that Danny just selected stekelenbrg to concede that stupid goal from pogba when our team was playing really okay..Both Cillessen or Zoet would have at least got us a draw in that valuable french match…
France match vs Sweden is away match..at times they play lazy game,they even drew with Belarus away..That gives me fear..If France loose or drew vs Sweden ,we will have a hell time in france..so its easy France win vs Sweden..Will they??????
Vs Swden…Poor klassen finishing,refree,overconfident Strootman lead us to draw..
Vs..France Danny Blind selected Stekelenberg from out of the blue and stekelberg made sure he kicks the A@@S of the Blind..So Danny and Stekelenberg 100 responsible for that.
Vs..Again Danny Blind BMI,Depay and co What F#$$king joke of the game….
if it was not Blind and Hiddink we would have beeen in better position now..
However i prefer Danny Blind over fart vanmarwijk who got humilitaed even with our top class stars..put iron towards young players..
Thanking Blind for sleceting
Raidlwald,Bazoer,Tete,karsdorp etc,…
@Tiju, my friend, turn the page. You’ll live longer and be happier.
We won’t be a solid team until Van Dijk is back in the center of defense and when Depay and Indi are not in the starting 11. Depay in particular seems full of shit of himself, he probably thinks he is Ronaldo. I am with Robben on the IC game evaluation but a win is nice. I gotta tell you I would rather have a Grim than a Dick as a coach but hey who am I to doubt KNVB.
Hopefully Sweden won’t surprise us on Friday.
No, Depay thinks that he is Pele…
All i felt was one over weight,oversmart fat pig was chasing ball occasionally and loosing the ball every time we needed…We need Gini there..not mempiss..
The problem with depay is that he never learns, you feel like he always makes the same mistakes and same wrong decisions over and over and over, you don’t feel his play is maturing, very frustrating…..
I would like go back to Daddy Dannys time as NT coach when some people on this blog were defending him and saying he has selected so many players even though there was no transition. well Syber Pals if you are reading this,then the two friendlys was typical example of selecting players and starting them game contray to selecting players and making them warm the bench or in most case scenario giving them late cameos to bite dust only.once again there were players who proved they have what it takes to play at international level.
if Danny Blind Blind would have done this from the starting I swear by now NT would have been a strong contingent.
its bit dispointing it has come at a time when the time itself is our nemesis given there isnt much time to test more players before the french game who have depth in both quality amd quantity in their squad.
I am sure Hendrik would remind us that quality without results is pointless, and that results without quality is boring.
But that approach is why Hendrik never won at the international level!
Qualifying for the World Cup is NOT boring! It is our #1 goal at this time. And so, I am purely interested in gaining results rather than playing attractive football.
That said, I believe that we have the quality to get there, and that journey will begin on Friday!
Hup Holland!
so what’s your strategy to topple the French.
Two words — Jeremain Lens!
I am telling you, Lens is phenomenal in my system. You will see…
In all seriousness, however, I don’t want to look past the current opponent. We face Luxembourg on Friday.
After that performance, we will take stock of our situation and prepare for the match against France at the end of August.
These recent friendlies have been helpful in assessing our talent, but I feel that we will need to field our strongest line-up possible against France.
Further, France will be highly motivated to defeat Sweden this week in order to ensure they remain alone atop the group. If they accomplish that, they may not field quite as strong a side against us, especially when the club season is starting up again in August.
And not to give anything away, but I’ve known Fernando Santos for a while now, dating back to when his Greece side faced my Russia team in the 2012 Euros. We attacked relentlessly and they punished us for it.
Lens is more a runner imo.if he starts then either Promes or Depay has to be sacrificed because I’m sure Robben will play full 90 if not for injuries. it would be a big call unless DA is confident and Lens is at full fitness. Depay can be a x factor even though he might not be functional. so the question that arises here is who is a better impact player, Depay or Promes, should Lens fade out.
Do you know the meaning of sacrifice???
Depay is crap shit compared to Lenz…Promes is not crap but he is not great to get sacrificed..
WE ARE 100% BETTER WITH out Mempiss…
FYI
ITS NOT SACRIFICE ITS called deserved kicking out..
In a recent article in vi.nl Peter Bosz was put on the same line with Dick Advocaat and Ronald Koeman as being a “BIG DICK” (Jan’s definition) who runs after money and fame without any respect to their contracts…I do not completely agree but I cold not say the author of the article is wrong….
…but van der Sar believes that Peter Bosz was expendable as he did not go along with people representing the principles of Cruyff’s 2011 revolution… Very stupid statement….I guess if I was on Bosz’s place I wold leave too…Good luck, Peter.