Oranje getting ready for Belarus and France w/o Robben

Amidst all the shenanigans at federation level, Danny Blind is keeping his focus on the games ahead. He shrugs off the problems with management, the influence of new Tech Director Van Breukelen and shows confidence for the matches vs Belarus and France.

Danny Blind is not to be envied. Key players missing, overall quality below par, lack of support of his management. But he still finds time to joke. At the press conference last week, Hans van Breukelen was missing due to a wedding party. Blind: “I told Hans he should go nice and early to be ahead of traffic.” Which invoked laughs from the media present.

Asked if he felt the pressure: “I know there is pressure. Just like with any other game. We need wins. Whether I’m working for Oranje, or coaching Ajax 2. Also as a player, we wanted to win every game. That pressure is normal for me. I don’t feel the pressure of needing to win to keep my job. That is counter-productive pressure and I’m fortunate not to have that stress. I don’t do anything for this, it’s just how I am.”

Blind bela

One of the key talking points is Arjen Robben’s fitness. “We all want a fit Robben to play for us. But you have to be realistic and we also have a responsibility towards Arjen. I need him for the full qualification series and for the World Cup. I don’t want to take risks, and neither does his club.”

With all the attention going to the missing Robben, the return of Stefan de Vrij is almost overlooked. It was basically one year ago almost to the day that De Vrij stayed behind in the break with a knee issue.

The Lazio defender is impressing again in the Serie A and is keen to get minutes in his former home, De Kuip. “I am so happy to be back. I so missed this. My first focus was getting fit for Lazio and now I can play without pain, I’m top fit and keen as. Playing for Oranje is amazing and to be able to play on my favorite pitch in my home stadium gives me the goosebumps just thinking about it.”

And here is probably the best news football fans in Holland can get, apart from Robben being 100% fit and ready. Oranje is back in De Kuip. In 2012, KNVB general manager criticised the Feyenoord home as being outdated and obsolete. He copped a lot of criticism from the fans, as De Kuip used to be the home of Oranje for decades. The more sterile and theatre like Arena in Amsterdam was chosen as it has more VIP rooms and restaurants for the sponsors. But De Kuip is a true football temple and one of the most intimidating stadiums of Europe. The fans are close to the pitch, the pitch is arguably the best in Europe –  100% grass, no synthetics – and somehow, De Kuip is always full when Oranje plays (in contrast with half empty Arena and Phillips Stadium experiences).

kuip bela

Youri Mulder: “I scored the winner vs Belarus in the 90s in De Kuip and it is indescribable what happens when you score in De Kuip. It’s like you’re in a cyclone. The energy, the noise, the whole experience. I can only describing it to making love to the girl you have been in love with for years and she never really noticed you. Until suddenly, she does and you meet and fall in love and…magic happens…”

Former Feyenoord striker Peter Houtman: “You enter the stadium from the tunnel and the energy grabs you by the throat. Immediately. Players can’t hear each other. Coaches can’t reach their players. It’s loud and all encompassing. Even now, coming into the stadium, without playing yourself, it’s massive.”

Karsdorp

It’s fitting that De Kuip is the new home of Oranje. Feyenoord is the leader in the Eredivisie and was victorious versus Man United in the EL. Rick Karsdorp was part of the Oranje squad twice before, but hasn’t broken his duck yet. “It’s great that we are doing so well with Feyenoord. We are in good shape and the team manager will take notice of that. My career is going from strength to strength. I’m grateful to Fred Rutten for this. He recognised a right back in me, whereas I played playmaker in the youth. But the game has changed and they demand a lot from full backs these days. Build up, speed, tactical awareness and assists.” Karsdorp believes team spirit is the secret for Feyenoord and hopes this can channel into Oranje. “We are like family at Feyenoord. We enjoy playing together and are tight. This is how new players like goalie Brad Jones and striker Jorgensen can adapt so easily. It is not the sum of the individuals, it’s more than that. I hope to get that feeling with Oranje as well.”

oranje bela

Despite the fuzzy warm feelings Karsdorp and co are hoping for, Blind approaches the games very business like. The coach: “Belarus is a tough opponent, yes. Most players are in the Russian league and it’s a tough league to play in. But, we play at home and we have players playing in the EPL, the Serie A, the Bundesliga, Turkey and Portuguese league. I demand a win and I think I am allowed to. The players need to cope with that pressure, because they can. Belarus is a tightly organised, defensive thinking team. They won’t give a lot away, but we need to be on the front foot and win the second ball. Snuff out their counter and keep pressure on. At home, we always want to win and that is the mission.”

For the France game, Blind doesn’t have a different aim. “Again, playing at home, you need to be gutsy and confident. I analysed the friendly against France and they were better. It will be different than playing Belarus. France wants the ball and wants to play. This will give us opportunities.”

wes bela

The former Ajax captain doesn’t wanna give much away regarding the line up, but it is clear that De Vrij, Dost and Karsdorp are making it hard for him. Veltman didn’t impress earlier and seems not in great shape for Ajax either. Dost scores as if he played for Sporting for years and Stefan de Vrij impresses in Italy again. Janmaat being injured, Karsdorp might start. “He is playing well and it’s an advantage to play in De Kuip for him. It’s his home and he’ll feel confident.” He is not planning to use both strikers. “Dost is not a Plan B player alone. He could easily start. I will pick one or the other. I did take Siem de Jong along for an all or nothing hail mary end of the match, if need be.”

Wesley Sneijder didn’t come to the Oranje camp without issues. A muscle injury in his thigh got him subbed for Gala. “Sneijder seems fit now, but with muscle issues, he could actually be in trouble after 10 minutes. It’s a scenario I need to keep in mind. And prepare for that.”

Oranje in training

74 comments

  1. Good stuff Jan

    Sybe Pals October 1, 2016 at 3:39 pm
    Poor Arjen, started today but subbed off at half time. Hopefully just precaution but safe to say we will not see him in the next 2 qualifiers..

    Reply
    Oranjeboven October 1, 2016 at 7:54 pm
    i have read that it was more then a precaution he actually said to the staff that he picked up a “light” injury! but yeah lets hope for the best ????

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 1, 2016 at 5:03 pm
    Annholt saved Moyes…i have never seen such a one diamentional limited Limited coach who had coached a team like Manu.Annholt is too good for attack.1000 times better than current wingers of NT.
    i really hope Blind doesnt pay heavily for selecting Claise and klassen..Both has proved nothing in Nt so far..

    Reply
    van den Berg October 1, 2016 at 11:05 pm
    1000 times better?

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 2, 2016 at 4:05 am
    sure or else we would have played in Euro 2016.when Roben was absent from ECQ..

    Reply
    Sybe Pals October 2, 2016 at 12:08 pm
    Tiju gathers all the stats (including training from scrimmages for the many players which he likes but whom do not even play at their clubs), multiplied by a coefficient percentage which he uses for different level of competitions, so he can then can judge them properly and in a very non-biased fashion.

    So when Tiju says van Aanholt (a favourite of his even though he cannot put his name properly one time) is 1000 better than the current wingers of the NT – then you know it is definitely true! Hahaha
    Don’t even bother comparing any of the Sneijder, Promes, Narsingh, or Berghuis with the mighty Moyes saviour van Aanholt
    ????

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 2, 2016 at 1:51 pm
    i forgot sybe ..we actually played in Ec2016..we won against turkey,iceland and cezc..Wingers were fantastic..they created hell lot of chances and finishing was sublime.(In ur dreams).agree Annholt was crap..
    Once again Blind exposed..he is just partime defender who does his job some what okay..

    Reply
    JB October 2, 2016 at 1:57 pm
    The pace and intensity of this Spurs – Man City is exhilarating!!

    I’d love to see us incorporate more of this pressing style of defending / attacking in our play

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 3:57 am
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7eeWh0T2_GE
    It’s a pity his defensive game stalled

    Wesley Hoedt and De Vrij CB partnership received very good reviews after Lazio beat Udinese 3-0.

    Mean while Danny has called Depay and Siem De Jong for the upcoming qualifers even though they have barely featured for their clubs.this is after Berghuis and Luuk pulled out due to injuries. This has to be dumbest decsion of of all time.why not Zeegelaar or Chery.

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 4:01 am
    Pathic excuse really after saying its due to lack of option.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 5:18 am
    Its one dimensional Danny Blind,he has suffered one time and mostly he will cause us a WC too if things are going like this…

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 7:26 am
    Vanrhijn is so precise in his crosses,has stunningly accurate freekicks.he is an excellent efficient dribbler with good technique..but lacks the teeth when it comes to defense.But he is 1000 degree upgrade above our current wingers..

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 5:21 am
    http://www.football-oranje.com/dutchmen-abroad-round-babel-hero-deportivo/?
    why not ryan babel…he is way too better than current wingers..
    Annholt …just scored in last game,,,
    its pathetic from danny blind..he is absolutely Blind in every means..

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 6:44 am
    French squad: final 23.

    Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Crystal Palace), Alphonse Areola (PSG)

    Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Djibril Sidibé (AS Monaco), Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Jérémy Mathieu (Barcelona), Layvin Kurzawa (PSG), Lucas Digne (Barcelona)

    Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham), Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

    Attackers: Kevin Gameiro (Atletico Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Andre Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Nabil Fékir (Lyon), Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

    * Eliaquim mangala will replace jeremy Mathieu who has announced retirement from international duties.

    Would say,this is one hell of a squad.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 7:10 am
    where we stand against these team with Depay,promes on wings and clasie as holding mid ith lightweight Klassen…if these 4 are in final eleven i would be putting money on 4-1 or 4-0 for france.

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 7:42 am
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3818675/David-Moyes-set-convert-Sunderland-defender-Patrick-van-Aanholt-goalscoring-winger.html

    I wouldn’t say this is a bad idea but its works out for both Sunderland and Van Annholt,well and good for NT.

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 8:31 am
    With the completions of all the games so far and looking at the form of players,these are the players that should be in the starting 11.

    Zoet

    Karsdorp-De Vrij- Van Dijk- Kongolo

    Strootman- Juste- chery

    Toornstra- Janssen- sinkgraven

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 8:42 am
    Juste had a collision with luuk de jong..luuk is out..so not sure about him..this is strong and balanced side..i would use wijnaldum/Vanrhijn for toonstra…williams/aanholt for sinkgraven

    Reply
    Oranjeboven October 3, 2016 at 10:00 pm
    what? first of all sinkgraven plays LB now i dont see him play winger for NT atm then toornstra are u kidding me Promes still 1 class better! Chery wtf that guy is not even close to NT level even a Clasie that barely plays is better then ur Chery! And juste? nope Wilson i can only agree on ur defense and ofc Zoet!

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 12:41 pm
    if Danny blind has any Clue..he must find a destroyer for NT…De roon is really good at that..i like his leg breaking tackles,So is hendrix…
    ————-Zoet—————
    Karsdorp—Devrij—Vandijk—Konoglo
    ————-De roon—————-
    —–Strootman——-Bazoer———
    Vanrhijn——Sneijder——-Annholt
    ————–Janssen—————-
    for first 11…With Bazoer and strootman as box to box midfeilders.
    on second
    ————Stekelnburg——–
    Tete——Bruma—–Mensah—Williams
    ———Wijnaldum—Hendrix——-
    —————Ramseelar———–
    kevindiks————–Sinkgraven/Naouri
    ————–Dost——————

    Reply
    Oranjeboven October 3, 2016 at 10:05 pm
    I actually see ur first lineup as strong but van rhin soory never and bazoer is out with injury and so is hendrix! Ramselar still injured too and for Sinkraven and Nouri its to soon to call them to the first team! Moreover Wijnaldum has to be in the team he plays 90 min every week for Liverpool and Klopp is a bigfan of him must be for a good reason!!

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 4, 2016 at 6:39 am
    OrangeBoven..i know Vanrhijn never.i do understand..also we need to understand that none of the new wingers has quality from Depay,promes,nasrinh,elghazi etc…they had beautyful chance to help us to at least qualfy for EC2016..they failed pathetically,blind failed pathetically..i can understand if we missed on goal differnce or,we got draw with them..we were even beaten by 3-0…
    the guys like Vanrhijn,williams are really fast,they have pin point billiards crosses,effeccient dribblers,can help defense too..so i consider them as assets for the team..
    Blind has no plan B or his brain seems limited.he knows we lack quality still he IS RUNNING ARROUND CIRCLES..

    Reply
    ycsng0822 October 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm
    Honestly, I am disappointed not to see Robben included or called up. He was his usual menacing self against Cologne. A half fit Robben would be still better than Depay at this moment.

    Also, why not Van Persie over Siem de Jong. Both are equally “unfit” but Van Persie surely has it over Siem in terms of skill, experience, movement.

    But then again, I’m no professional…Blind could have seen all these differently…;)

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 3, 2016 at 5:08 pm
    yes Blind sees it differently..He played in EC2016 in his dreams…He sees that siem de jong is regular at PSV and he was fit for long time and playing regular and consistant..SO seim had to be selected..
    Then Depay is regular starter at Manu and scoring bunnch of goals and very good cretor of goals…So both are no brain choices…We will qualify i am CONVINCED NOW.

    Reply
    wilson October 3, 2016 at 7:46 pm
    Robben is still fragile and dont think Bayern will take any risk,that’s why he was subbed of eraly.the news is something to do with his ribs.

    Reply
    dwherwey October 3, 2016 at 2:07 pm
    Hey Jan.
    Just curious about your comments regarding TFM playing as a CB. Are you suggesting he doesn’t have the mental attributes to play there? Because nothing I’ve seen in his play so far would suggest that. I agree it’s important for partners to know each other and have good communication but there’s only one way to build that communication and that’s by playing together.

    Either way glad he is at least getting some game time under Mourinho.

    Reply
    Jan October 4, 2016 at 12:23 am
    I do see TFM as a CB. That kid can play Defensive Mid, full back or centre back. I am just saying that Mourinho will not risk bringing another 18 yr old one in as CB during the competition. I don’t say Tim is not able to play there. Just can’t see Jose taking the risk. Not good for the team, not good for Tim.

    Reply
    Jan October 4, 2016 at 12:28 am
    Latest news (as shared here): Robben has a rib injury, and will most likely join Oranje later (unless scan/recovery is bad). Bayern is ok with Robben coming to Oranje, but he won’t play 2 full games. I think Blind wants him for the Belarus game, as we need to win that one. The France game on paper will have been sacrificed in Blind’s planning.

    Lots of issues with players for Oranje and Young Oranje.

    I have no clue why Van Aanholt is not present. He will make a move end of this season to a bigger club I’m pretty sure. Everton? He has a lot of qualities.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 4, 2016 at 5:11 am
    http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/10/siem-de-jong-says-still-shock-international-call-newcastle-united-psv-holland-netherlands/?
    Even siem De jong is shocked…

    Reply
    Jan October 4, 2016 at 12:28 pm
    Hahahaha

    Reply
    Jan October 4, 2016 at 12:37 pm
    Apparently, Blind first approached Leroy Fer, but he has the flu. Lens is injured as well, as are Elia and Loccadia. Hence Memphis.
    Jens Toornstra is also on the radar but Blind believes he is more a midfield wide player. I agree.

    Reply
    wilson October 4, 2016 at 7:52 pm
    I think everybody believes that but he keeps delivering for feyenoord from that wing position.

    Reply
    wilson October 4, 2016 at 7:56 pm
    For the France game they really need a strong midfield.

    Reply
    wilson October 4, 2016 at 8:14 pm
    What I’m hearing is Blind has written off a win vs france

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 6:38 am
    Interesting Chelsea is planning to send Marco Van Ginkel back to PSV on loan. With Siem de Jong also on loan there,hard to call where he will fit in or will they go back to Ginkel,Guardado,Propper midfield.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 6:49 am
    Seim is basically back up striker for luuk his brother…
    Guadrado is getting old 29/30..So hendrix will be the main stay defensive midfeilder…Ginkel and propper would the runners…Once propper departs Ramseelar would get the nod….

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 7:25 am
    i think Blind needs to be sacked i was optimistic till he called Depay and Seim..He is acting like a clown…i am done with this stupid as i am really pissed off to see the selections of clasie,klassen,Depay,promes,Narsingh,Berghuis.this makes sure that u are going to loose against france..really fed up…

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 7:29 am
    http://www.goal.com/brasilglobaltour/en/news/5457/brasil-global-tour/2016/10/04/28177772/meet-the-five-youngsters-sharing-time-with-brazil-ahead-of?ICID=HP_BN_8

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 7:29 am
    why cannt we do this at least to train??to give exposure..

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    Jan October 5, 2016 at 10:35 am
    No way Blind will be sacked.

    There is no formal general manager atm and Hans van Breukelen won’t fire Danny, not even when we lose two games.

    We simply don’t have the quality atm. We will find it hard vs Belarus, but we can win that. France is too good for us, really. Winning is possible but only if France doesn’t show up.

    What options does Danny have other than Memphis and Siem? Jens is a midfielder, Bazoer is injured, Bel Hassani and lots of others are really wild cards. Remember El Ghazi? Disappeared… The step up from Eredivisie to Oranje is huge. At least Memphis trains with Pogba, Smalling and Rooney. He made it back in the squad at Man U, so Jose does rate him.

    Please give me your options?

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 11:28 am
    I WOULD GO WITH Annholt>Sinkgraven over Memphis in left wing..
    Siem de jong i would go with Richario Zivkovic..

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 12:38 pm
    Both Aanholt and Zivkovic has tremendous pace which will help/allow Sneijder to pass it with more speed and it will create many chances and either Janssen or Sneijder will score..
    they have decent efficient trickery in their pocket too…its too bad Blind is too one dimensional and he is playing Ringa Ringa as some one said here..

    Reply
    Jan October 5, 2016 at 12:48 pm
    I don’t think it will work. Van Aanholt is my fave for the left flank as well but his heart issue and being benched on the weekend will have prompted Blind to go with son Daley (who’s terrific for ManU on LB) and mainstay Willems. I think Van Aanholt could have been selected but it is one of those ones, where you can’t have three for that position.

    Zivkovic is a wild card. He has a lot to prove. He chokes when in scoring position. Did so vs Feyenoord last season for Willem II and vs Ajax this weekend too. He is fast, but both Aanholt and Zivkovic will not get a lot of space vs Belarus.

    They’ll park the bus. Twice. And dig a hole. And field two goalies.

    Zivkovics is not in the good books yet. He needs more games and he needs to decide games.

    If Blind would go with him, Oranje would be a pigeon nest, with players in and out and in and out.

    Zivkovic was never important for Young Oranje and has had issues with Grim. Forget about him for now.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 1:50 pm
    All i said is my options,i have no better options than both..Aanholt issue is not about i heard,he has issues with Moyes,some smoking hooka or so..its more of discipline issue..All i know is that Moyes is below average coach with limited capabilities,So i am not surprised about Moyes..next is that annholt will be in trouble as long as this stupid stays as coach.
    Zivkovic is really wild card entry,agreed i am sure we are not going to get anything extra from both Janssen and dost cannot do.Zivkovic can play as winger too perhaps left winger..
    Anyways its my opinion and i dont like people make repeated mistakes knowingly especially who holds a responsible spot..
    if i was with Blind i would have acted like his blind spot checker,as no one sees the perfect picture.
    A team of
    ————Zoet————-
    Karsdorp—Devrij–Mensah–Kongolo
    ——–Strootman—Blind———
    Wijnaldum—–Ramseelar—–willimas
    ————-Dost——————
    would beat france..

    Reply
    Balkan October 5, 2016 at 4:06 pm
    We have no QUALITY. Period. Sacking Blind fixes nothing.

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 5, 2016 at 5:21 pm
    What quality portugal had?2016
    what quality greece had??2004
    What extra itay had than us in 2006?
    What quality Germany had to reach final of 2002wC??
    its not about quality,its all about mixing the right players together and get the results..thats all…
    Has nt you forgotten how LVG played WCQ games for NT in 2012-2013 november…???
    Blind should open up his blind eyes and must show the balls..

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 7:51 pm
    as I said. give me this team. its in the bag. 1 win and I draw atleast. those who are saying there is no other option,are blind and Danny.

    wijnaldum- Janseen- Toornstra

    Chery

    Juste – strootman

    Kongolo – Van Dijk- De Vrij -Karsdorp

    Zoet

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 8:07 pm
    its all about individual capabilities of players and the only thing is build the chemistry as team. don’t care where they play as long as they are performing,performing good and wont choke.

    I dont get why people are saying Toornstra is more midfield players, when he has already got 4 assist and 3 goals for feyenoord from that wide position. he has even clocked more minutes than Elia, Berhguis and basacikoglu. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has never opted to sub him in eredivisie to Elia and basacikoglu, before the arrival of Berhguis and now with Berghuis to basacikoglu with Elia injured. this jus shows the influence he has on the team when operating from that wide position.

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 8:11 pm
    juste played at DM almost in all the games for Heerenveen last season and with the depture of Otigba,now he is been deployed at RCB but again the guy is solid and fast at the same time and thats what you need at DM

    chery I will give him the benefit of doubt based on his skills.

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 8:20 pm
    Remember Ronald de Boer vs Brazil in 98. what a cross its was and what a beauty from Kluivert.he was not a winger.

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 8:46 pm
    other option I can think of playing 4-4-2 in attack and 4-3-3 in defense.

    Wijanldum- Janssen

    Promes – Hendrix – Strootman – Toonstra

    Kongolo – Van Dijk – De Vrij Karsdorp

    Zoet

    Reply
    wilson October 5, 2016 at 10:00 pm
    “Italy head coach Giampiero Ventura is willing to embrace the gamble of starting Alessio Romagnoli against Spain”

    Danny needs to learn from this or jus step aside.

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    Alaa October 5, 2016 at 10:16 pm
    I am leaving from Detroit to Lebanon for vacation, but I will stop by in Amsterdam for four days I leave Saturday and I timed it perfectly around the oranje game, I bought my tickets to the game online, two tickets for 80 dollars each, going with a friend she is an amsterdmmer!!
    I am so excited I will be watching oranje for the first time in person but I am sad to see all the injury news and I will be depressed if robben is not playing!!!
    I hope this unique experience doesn’t turn out to be catastrophic I Hope they pull a miracle that night because I want to remember it as a special unique day in my life!!!

    Reply
    Sybe Pals October 6, 2016 at 12:39 am
    Good one!
    can’t wait to hear from you about it after, and hopefully it is not depressing

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    TIJU1234 October 6, 2016 at 4:17 am
    Great Alaa..feel jealous…one day i will doing the same…

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    Alaa October 6, 2016 at 4:27 am
    Thank u tiju:) hopefully soon u will do the same

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    Jan October 6, 2016 at 12:30 am
    Wow Alaa!! Please write a review for us ok? Enjoy Holland and the game.

    So we all agree that 1) Blind has limited options, 2 ) we lack quality.

    So saying Blind needs to be sacked because he didn’t pick a certain player is nonsense. And Blind already took chances, didn’t he? Bazoer? Tete? Riedewald? When he took chances and it failed, you all criticised him, and now you are saying “play Zivkovic!!”.

    It is pretty silly, isn’t it.

    And Wilson, it is not about the individual qualities of the players. It is about the team plan. Which is partly based on the individual qualities of the players.

    Portugal beats France.
    Iceland beats England.
    Wales beats (can’t remember).
    At Euro 2016.

    Who can give me 6 player names of Iceland or Wales without checking google??

    Reply
    Sybe Pals October 6, 2016 at 12:40 am
    ????

    Reply
    wilson October 6, 2016 at 7:40 am
    no Jan,I disagree IF Robben would have been fit to play everybody would have been riding high even with the this medicority squad.there were some on this blog who were crying why Robben was not selected even though he played some minutes for bayern.Why????? Simply because everyone knows he can do the job which the whole team can’t do.(IQ).I’m sure nobody would say we lack quality then if he played.would they,as usual the guns will be on his shoulder . In order words when Robben plays its about team plan and when he doesn’t play they lack quality. Is this what are you saying. BS

    Why need game plan if you have players with individual qualities. Mahrez and Vardy,Leicester. What game plan did Ranieri use. He jus made them the focal point and the rest jus complemented them.

    WC 2014,what game plan did Van Gaal use? Oh yes Robben and the rest jus complemented him.

    Koeman at Everton and Southampton,which or what game plan? He jus reinforced the team with players who technically had
    Good qualities.Van Dijk in the back line,mane up front and tadic in the middle and the team jus clicked.nothing out of the blue.

    Danny Blind is jus one amateur coach who is jus rubbing the balls of KNVB so that they keep patting him on his head. You said Danny took chances with tete,Bazoer,Riedewald and it failed.This is what happens when you are wearing the Ajax underwear and go around dancing naked in the streets. It’s simple he invested in wrong players.it was ever clear from the failure of Ajax at European level that it was going to be a waste but yet he didn’t take heed from them and kept selecting them.willems inability to defend was evident from way back,daley blind same story but yet he was adamant of building the team around them.this was the game plan.

    Look at what changes Bosz has done after bringing in some quality players which obviously are an upgrade to whom he was continuously selecting. The driver drives the bus,the bus doesn’t drive the driver.

    I think tournaments are different ball game so you can’t compare any team. Jus like you can’t tell how far NT would have gone If they would have qualified. France & croatia 98,greece 004,

    Reply
    TIJU1234 October 6, 2016 at 4:21 am
    ha ha Jan u are so funny…
    when did Blind failed with tete?raidwald?bazoer?they all played well for orange..
    Blind failed when he picked Elgahzi,depay,BMI,weil,Afellay,Promes,now going to fail coz he has klassen,Clasie and Depay again…he is playing ringa-ringa…light in this darkness is that he called karsdorp and kongolo but he dropped 2 very good players.

    Reply
    Alaa October 6, 2016 at 4:30 am
    I will definitely share my experience with u guys after the game:)
    And I will post some pics on Facebook and u r my friend on Facebook Jan so u will see them, and some of the other guys here also my friends on Facebook so they will see it too:)
    I can’t wait …

    Reply
    Alaa October 6, 2016 at 4:31 am
    I will definitely share my experience with u guys after the game:)
    And I will post some pics on Facebook and u r my friend on Facebook Jan so u will see them, and some of the other guys here also my friends on Facebook so they will see it too:)
    I can’t wait …

    Reply
    dwherwey October 6, 2016 at 1:06 pm
    1. Gareth Bale
    2. Joe Allen
    3. Hal Robinson Kanu? something like that
    4. Ashley Williams
    5. Ryan Giggs….
    6. Damn so close
    7. Oh I forgot Aaron Ramsey

    Reply
    AZ-forever October 6, 2016 at 11:18 am
    You all know my opinion about Danny Blind: I do not think he is a coach of National Team level. However, he is not the only problem here. In fact, I really liked how Oranje played with Sweden, and guess why we did not win that game: quality of our forwards is not there. So, here we are dealing with several problems: (1) mediocre coach who understands football well but it takes way too long for him to build a good team (unforgivably long), (2) unprecedented number of injuries of key players; (3) almost zero choices to replaced injured players as the quality of subs is mediocre; (4) wrong people in KNVB; All together this factors resulted in such a miserable situation. This will continue at least coming four years, so please, be patient….However, Oranje will be World Champions in 2022.

    Reply
    Jan October 6, 2016 at 1:38 pm
    Good points. But with the circumstances you sketched, I don’t think any coach would do better than Blind at this stage. Look at Mourinho at Man United. Top coach (I don’t think so personally), top players, but very inconsistent. And Mourinho has his players every day!

    With any other ref, we would have won in Sweden, by the way. That Dost goal should have been allowed!

    Reply
    Jan October 6, 2016 at 11:24 am
    No Robben :-(. He”s staying in Germany. He won’t play v s Belarus or France.

    Reply
    AZ-forever October 6, 2016 at 12:43 pm
    What else is new…I believe Oranje are used to play without Arjen….Plus, KNVB does not want to have another problem with Bavaria’s management similar to what they had after 2014 WC.

    Reply
    Jan October 6, 2016 at 1:34 pm
    Whoa Wilson…hold your horses mate :-). You are basically agreeing with me. The game plan with Robben at the WC (and all your other examples) are basically: a game plan!

    Leicester might be all Vardy and Mahrez, but there is a tactical plan behind it to make sure their qualities are used.

    May I remind you that super star C Ronaldo was out of the Euro finals early? And still they won it! Without their star, but with solid team tactics and grit.

    And let me tell you that everyone in Holland – not just Danny Blind – rate Tete and Riedewald very high. Playing Sinkgraven as LB is a joke. Did you see him last games? Do you think Bosz is doing a good job at the moment?

    I don’t think you’re on top of things.

    Reply
    AZ-forever October 6, 2016 at 1:54 pm
    I think Bosz is doing a good job. He is experimenting too and testing players at different positions. Whether or not Sinkgraven as a LB is a joke, time will show. However, what is important, Bosz started getting results within very short period of time. When during draw, I saw Ajax group at Europa League I thought this team will fail getting any points. Look, where Ajax stand now!

    Reply
    Jan October 6, 2016 at 1:35 pm
    Tiju, you are putting words in my mouth. I didn’t say Tete and Riedenwald failed. I said Blind did what you suggested: play young talents.

    A NT manager is as good as his material. I can totally understand his decisions, but – like you – I don’t agree with all of them.

    *Blinds’ 11 v Sweden was:
    Zoet
    Janmaat – Bruma – van Dijk – Blind
    Wijnaldum – Strootman – Klaassen
    Promes – Janssen – Sneijder

    I have a feeling Blind will not make changes unless he must…
    So, of course Veltman or Karsdorp will go in for Janmaat, and we will see about Sneijder, who deals with his thigh issue but that’s probably the only changes, although I could see Steks get a chance.
    Not sure he will replace Bruma, who has started every match for Blind so far (although de Vrij has been out most of that).
    We’ll see!

    Maybe Blinds idea is that less changes the better, so maybe a team who is most familiar together plays better? I can see logic in it, but has it brought result? Not so much, but maybe too early to say as it’s only his 6th meaningful match.
    (1 win v Khaz, the draw to Sweden, and 3 losses)

    I suppose we’ve only lost 2 points so far this qualifier.
    Belarus is really the must win match of the 2, and as Jan mentions, I’m sure his plans for qualifying do not count on winning v France necessarily.

    Noticed in a few matches where we went to a sort of 442 adding Dost late on, and played with more desperation, how much more havoc we created against teams who sit back.
    If we know Belarus will likely sit and wait (as most teams without big players do against us, and unfortunately successfully), then why not start with the 442?

    Really need full points tomorrow!

  2. Good stuff Jan!
    (my comment from last post)

    *Blinds’ 11 v Sweden was:
    Zoet
    Janmaat – Bruma – van Dijk – Blind
    Wijnaldum – Strootman – Klaassen
    Promes – Janssen – Sneijder

    I have a feeling Blind will not make changes unless he must…
    So, of course Veltman or Karsdorp will go in for Janmaat, and we will see about Sneijder, who deals with his thigh issue but that’s probably the only changes, although I could see Steks get a chance.
    Not sure he will replace Bruma, who has started every match for Blind so far (although de Vrij has been out most of that).
    We’ll see!

    Maybe Blinds idea is that less changes the better, so maybe a team who is most familiar together plays better? I can see logic in it, but has it brought result? Not so much, but maybe too early to say as it’s only his 6th meaningful match.
    (1 win v Khaz, the draw to Sweden, and 3 losses)

    I suppose we’ve only lost 2 points so far this qualifier.
    Belarus is really the must win match of the 2, and as Jan mentions, I’m sure his plans for qualifying do not count on winning v France necessarily.

    Noticed in a few matches where we went to a sort of 442 adding Dost late on, and played with more desperation, how much more havoc we created against teams who sit back.
    If we know Belarus will likely sit and wait (as most teams without big players do against us, and unfortunately successfully), then why not start with the 442?

    Really need full points tomorrow!

    1. “”I suppose we’ve only lost 2 points so far this qualifier.
      Belarus is really the must win match of the 2, “”””””””
      No we need to win both and we can with out Roben…but that looks impossible now as i see Klassen,clasie,Depay,Promes,narsingh in team…

  3. Unfortunately the U21s drew 0-0 with Turkey..
    So the draw means Slovakia are group winners and automatically qualify for the Euros. Jong Oranje now rely on being one of the top four runners-up, but are currently eighth out of nine in that list with only one game remaining… hoping for a miracle in Cyprus next week.

    1. another Failure

      Hart

      tete – Juste- Rekik – brenet

      Bazoer – Riedewald – Van Der Beek

      El Ghazi – Vermeij – Kishna

      this is what I was talking about.look at that ajax contingent that dropped from the senior squad and got the nod over those who were playing through out the qualifers and friendlys.injuries aside this jus sucks and and this is why the transition is always f**ked up from jong to NT.

      1. You mean: van der Hart & St. Juste

        It is a new manager Langeler, since Grim has joined Blind.
        So do you think he watched them in training and then decided against certain players in favour at others who were not as good but play at Ajax?
        Hahaha sure.

        1. so how do you think they get nod.well it doesnt makes sense either. even with the injuries aside, how many minutes have el ghazi, tete,van der beek done at Ajax this season, kishna same story. shouldn’t that be considered and if this is not consideration point than why not Ake who has also has featured for Bournemouth in some games. he tops the list for playing at the top level. van der beek over sinkgraven. then you look at vermeij selection,what has he done to get the nod for the seletion, why not Richairo Živković.menash had a good game in europa league. whats was criteria for the selection and starting lineup.now you tell me this.

          this is jus insane. the coach doesnt know what he is doing. another F**ked up appointment and coach.

          I hope here also they dont say we lack quality due to injuries.

          1. you mean van de Beek & Fosu-Mensah

            Not sure, I dont know the manager well and I dont pretend to know all the answers.
            But we can make assumptions – I have seen yours, and there is really nothing in it at all and I will explain my opinion for you.
            My assumption, the national team manager has called up players to his training based on the most recent team selections and then all including other players’ club form and performances, in his opinion (of course minutes and levels are considered!). Then he watched them in his training seeing their qualities next to eachother first hand, and chose his lineup on who fit best into the system, which is likely already determined by the players’ qualities and fields the team. Just my assumption.

            Also, its not like the major tournaments with many teams qualifying. Only 12. The top of each group (which was already out of our hands), the host Poland, and 2 playoff winners (4 best runners up).
            And anyway, it is his first match as manager, the reason for their unlikely qualification (not yet a failure!) is not really his IMO.

            I like Ake, and you’re right, he has probably played most at the top level but recently not much, Sinkgraven hasnt really done anything convincing yet that I have seen since Heerenveen, and on paper there is not much between Zivkovic and Vermeij – RZ is 20 and has 4 goals in 7 matches for Utrecht, while VV is 22 and has 3 goals in 5 matches for Heracles. I even watched Zivkovic last weekend and the only thing impressive to me was his speed, did not seem very intuitive and missed his chances and was rightly subbed before an hour.
            Totally naive to assume there is an Ajax conspiracy just because Tete, Riedewald and Bazoer (who came closest hitting the post) were chosen to start the game.

            Aaaanyway – for the record – not the starting 11 I would have picked either, based on the limited matches I have seen and looking at performance stats of the younger players.
            But I have not the advantage of watching all of their games, then training them and talking them before I pick a team – how about you? haha

          2. for me I think training session is jus a place to do bond, touch ups and iron out mistakes and not a place to come and do wrestling to prove who should start. look at the picture above of the Senior squad training. runs, ball work etc. nothing major where you can determine if one player is better than another.Danny Blind started Daley vs Greece. do you think he had made the impression in the training that he is better than van dijk.was jus a selection, based on what? assumptions aside.

            as i said earlier the driver drives the bus,the bus doesn’t drive the driver.kind of expecting the same to happen with danny.

          3. thats great

            PS – Ake was injured, even posted a video of watching from the stands saying come on boys!

            too bad some other people can’t get behind the teams!

  4. Wilson, you are so brash in your conclusion and judgements. I wonder, do you have kids?

    Coach Langeler is one of the highest rated youth coaches in the country. He was successful at club level at PEC Zwolle and is now a top youth coach for PSV.

    He is well-balanced and highly praised.

    Young Oranje would have been 3-0 in any other version of this match. They dominated, played fresh and spritely and created opportunities. Bazoer could have had a hattrick. But they just couldn’t score. The post saved the goalie once as well.

    Then, as per usual, if you don’t score, you become vulnerable in the turn around and at some stage St Juste had to clear a ball of our goal line, late in the game.

    This was not a coaching debacle or unmotivated players. It was what we’ve seen time and time again, no killers up front.

    1. fred Grim was also a successful coach at club but but still the results were shitty. slovakia,Belarus,Turkey. what else they want. it wont get any easier than this.
      im not undermining his credentials but when it comes to selection they are so procedural and are pussy to take risk. wjat they need is Albert Stuivenberg type of coach. he was also the one who gave Hakim Ziyech the break if I remember correctly

      Im still single.

    2. Jan..it was well organized team defnsively i mean very well balanced…But you know when u have 1 headless chicken upfront,ur hardwork can get spoiled…Team had Elgahzi upfront,and with a lazy kishna you cannt score..yes bazoer would have scored,everyone has a bad day..i really hate this current trend fo orange..playing futile players upfront..

  5. Well, my 2cents:

    I think / hope he’ll play Stekelenburg

    He won’t change Bruma/Van Dijk I don’t think and Blind will definitely start as LB, as Belarus won’t play 4-3-3 and Blind will be the key build up man from the back.

    I think he’ll go with Karsdorp: speed. Also, we will probably see Promes on the right, who will move inward, giving Karsdorp space to play wing back.

    In midfield, no changes.

    I think he’ll use Dost vs Belarus: aerial prowess, work rate. He’ll use Janssen vs France, unless Dost kills it vs Belarus of course.

    1. i dont know
      but Siem is miracle scorer…u will never know when he scores…i like Siem as he is humble hardworking lad..RVP lost his speed and stamina…thats why he is dropped..

      1. In Newcastle, they definitely never knew when Siem scored, hahahaha.

        RVP has charisma, threat, experience, vision. Siem never had speed. RVP was never known for speed either, btw.

        And you don’t need stamina if you only come on for 20 minutes.

        Every defender in the world will say: “Shit, they’re bringing RVP!!”

        While with Siem, defenders will say: “Siem de Who? When did he score last???”

        1. i am just hoping a miracle..thats it…RVP for 10/20 minutes i cannt comment on it..RVP was really fast but not as fast as ROben or CR7.When u have snijder as play maker it always better to play 2 fast torpidos upfront..Jermain lenz can still do it.Zivkovic can,Roben offcourse..rest i am not sure..Narsingh can receive the ball but he will spoil it..

  6. Former Van Gaal right hand man Marcel Bout appointed as Head Scout at Man United.

    Bout was the only Van Gaal protege not sacked by Man United. Just like when they were at Bayern, the Dutch super scout was asked to stay.

    Bout is made responsible for the overhaul of Man United’s global scouting apparatus.

  7. Excited for these games. Saw a lot to like vs Sweden — Promes-Janmaat partnership down the right (hopefully replicable by Promes-Karsdorp), Virgil at the back, Sneijder with his customary passion and passing ambition, Klaassen finding the seams and moving well without the ball, Janssen’s hold-up and link-up play, Strootman’s resurgence (horrible, goal-producing braincramp notwithstanding), and overall the vertical game vs the dispiriting side-to-side game that has been too prevalent of late.

    Not convinced by Bruma (especially lackadaisical and sloppy first 15mins), and I’d like to see de Vrij in for him. I wasn’t sure about Wijnaldum, who I’d like to see picking his spots a bit more aggressively for secondary surges into the box, though I LOVE his unselfishness in playing whatever role the coach assigns to him, as evidenced by his tireless supporting play for Liverpool this year. I first noticed this during the last World Cup, and have come to realize that he’s one of our cornerstones and automatic selections at this point. Zoet looked a bit shaky to me, and terrible with his feet. Would love to see Steks get another shot — in his heyday he had the van Breukelen/Neuer “not in my house” swagger about him which I don’t see in Zoet or Cillesen (though Jesper IS great with his feet and on his best days has an appealing “zen master” vibe about him).

    Anyway, Oranje Boven/Hup Holland Hup/and all that. Let’s take a break from the hysteria and hyperbole that can sometimes grow tiresome on this board and just support our boys in orange.

    1. Dalsy Blind can do better than klassen if he is furthur up…
      i would like to see
      Williams——Dost——–Wijnaldum
      ————Sneijder————
      ——-Blind——-Strootman———
      Kongolo———————karsdorp
      ———-Virgil—Devrij———–
      ————-Zoet——————–

  8. Sneijder injured his hamstring today and he will not play against France. That’s a blow for sure as you don’t want to lose your veteran leader.

    The team looked lively today and will need to be focused against France, especially in the back.

  9. Dr Vrij is better than Bruma.. Bruma is very shaky. We need to switch to back 3 against France with Promes and Janssen upfront. Also Leroy Fer deserves a call up, we need someone strong in the middle of the park. Strootman is not back to his best, he’s still not very comfortable.. He seems to disappear at times during the game.

    The new right back was pretty good. Didn’t catch his name yet. He wasn’t challenged that much but still a pretty good debut.

    We need to make sure we don’t lose focus at any time during the 90 minutes… We had a shaky 20 mins to finish the first half and start the second.

    All I all, this team looks a lot better and they seemed hungry to play.

    I would like to see 5-3-2 against France.

    ———- van dijk———-
    De Vrij ———— Bruma
    Blind —————-RB
    — Strootman Wijnaldum—
    Promes Janssen

  10. Thank you,Richarde, for the site. I just finished watching the game. I truly enjoyed that forward-going possession of Oranje. Precise passing made their game very attractive. I would give credit to the coach for bringing that style back. Otherwise, lately all what I was seeing was endless back passing. As most of you mentioned, defense was quite shaky. Particularly, central defenders. I agree that it is time bring De Vrij to the game. With respect to Karsdorp, he had a good communication with Promes, but I did not see him being challenged much. That is why, it is hard to judge how good he is. Absolutely did not like Propper. Wijnaldum was very disciplined today. Finally, our two forwards, Promes and Janssen were great. Vinsent contributed to three goals. I still think he could do better if he would have had more playing time in EPL. I am glad that coach was patient and gave him enough time to score and boost his confidence. Coming back to defense, Reggiano Haps would be a great addition as a LB, but I doubt that D. Blind will bring him at the expense of his son. He is agressive, fast and tireless. I honestly was not impressed by Blind junior. May be he is good at different position but as a left back he was very mediocre: slow and not aggressive. Bottomline, it looks like Blind has been progressing in building a team that can actually return lost prestige to Dutch football. How far he has gone will be known after the game with France. I also hope that we will not have more injured players.

  11. Happy for the result..
    thanks Promes for scoring such a miracle goal.i mean goal came through in between the legs of three defenders..Promes found a way which others cant even dreamed off. i was expecting/hoping for a miracle goal.i am happy it happen and changed the game.
    The players who did extremly well
    1Wijnaldum,promes(Both tremendous workrate,unbelivable workrate)
    2.Karsdorp he can do what Tete and veltman can not do.i mean attack.
    3.Vincent Janssen he was excellent,it was not his day or else he would have scored 3 too.i like his accuracy in shots.wonderfull link up play,has excellent vision,team player and unselfish team player.
    Okay players
    Virgil,blind,Klassen.i am not convinced by these 3,but they do their job soemwhat okay..but that is not enough for the spots they were playing for..
    Players made me edge of the seat.
    Strootman and Bruma,both are strong players lacks alertness and concentration.We are really weak with Virgil-Bruma Cb pair with strootman as mainholding..Even belarus cut thrugh like a cake ….Blind needs to solve this soon.
    stekelburg doesnt deserve to be our no1 choice thats blunder mistake by Blind..

  12. team should have been
    ———–zoet————
    Karsdorp–De vrij—Kongolo—Mensah
    ————–De Roon————–
    ——-Strootman——Wijnaldum—
    Promes——-Janssen———Williams
    this should be our team VS a top quality team
    Rest cannt survive vs top teams.

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