And here we go again chaps! Time for Oranje banter. Stop hiding and come out and play!
If Frenkie de Jong is back in the squad, why aren’t you back here?
Oranje only needs to win the Hungary game on Saturday to qualify for the final round of the Nations League. I personally don’t get super enthusiastic about the Nations League, but I do love to see my team play well. The World Cup is where it’s at for me!
This Nations League round, we had a very decent and at times impressive first international break, in which we played a really good half against Germany and the second international break was the opposite, with a pretty lacklustre Oranje playing a terrible half versus Germany.
We scored 5 against Bosnia, kept Germany at 2-2 in Holland, then we drew against Hungary away, and lost 1-0 in Germany versus our Easterly neighbours. One win, one loss and two draws.
But the most important factor we should be looking at is: how did we play?
How did we play?
Did we dominate? Did we manage chances? Were we able to bring our danger men in to the game (Gakpo, Xavi, Reijnders, Brobbey). Did we see any flow?
We all remember the disappointing campaign in the “Covid” Euros, the dreadful World Cup campaign under Van Gaal in Qatar and in part the flat Euros under Koeman.
Remember the Euros under De Boer? We did well in the group stages and ended up seemingly in a comfortable chair on our way to the finals, only to be ousted by the Czechs in the first knock out game? I remember the circumstances: Oranje only flew to the humid mid European venue the day before the game and the team did seem very leggy. De Ligt got red-carded. Malen missed a sitter. And we ended up losing.
Or the Qatar World Cup. Playing 5 at the back. Never really impressing, until…. the last 15 mins of the Argentina game when Van Gaal played 4 attackers. Immediate results. But in the extra time, Van Gaal directed his men back to defend again. And Koeman also had an easy route to the finals and is probably proud to have made it to the semis, but the quality of the football was under par.
Our squad
So, out with the old guard: no more De Roon, Blind, Wijnaldum and – for now – Memphis.
With exciting players like Lang, Gakpo, Brobbey, Xavi, Reijnders and more, we expected to see some joyful and adventurous play. And we did, in that first week. But not even close in that second international break.
During the presser before the Hungary game, Koeman was asked about it. “I too felt the drop in quality was a bit much. But we were dealing with two issues: the plan didn’t work and the individual quality of the players let us down. Germany in particular played differently and we had trouble adapting to the game and finding the free man.”
Koeman also mentioned the lack of football intelligence: “Don’t forget we used to have a number of “captains” in the team and we missed Ake, Van Dijk, Frenkie for these matches while before this campaign we had Daley Blind and Gini Wijnaldum as well who would be able to read the game. And in those situations you can easily look like it’s all really bad, but it is sometimes just a little tweak that is needed to get a better performance.”
Memphis Depay
Memphis performances in Brazil were mentioned and the question was: why isn’t he in the squad now? He plays his games, he is important for Corinthians… Koeman: “Well, not good enough yet and not fit enough. I am watching his games, I am frequently in contact with him and I get his data too so I know. The timing is not right now. Also, I started this campaign with these players and I don’t want to interrupt our process.” Asked whether bringing Memphis back in the future would be for Depay’s ambition to become Oranje’s top goal scorer, Koeman said: “That will definitely count for him, but not for me. Although…. if he scores 6 or 7 more goals, that will be good for me as well of course.”
Frenkie was a question mark on Sunday, when he had to abandon Barca’s game after taking a hit. Koeman: “Yes, I have to say, I did check in immediately via the app and luckily he messaged me to say he thought it would be fine. Just a knock on the shin I believe. He will train with us and we’ll check him and keep an eye on him but he should be ok to play.”
Who will play
Koeman and the reporters kept on returning to the midfield question: who will Koeman play? Is Gravenberch/De Jong/Reijnders the logical combi? Or De Jong/Koopmeiners/Xavi? And don’t forget Timber. Koeman agreed we are doing well in the midfield area.
Apart from the available players, there is also still Veerman and Schouten, while Koeman also called Ken Taylor of Ajax. “He used to be part of the squad and I was critical on him, last season. I thought it was only fair to let him know that I felt he is doing well again and he’s not forgotten.”
The reporters asked about Feyenoord talent Milambo, the 19 year old wizard who impressed so much in this season. “Yes, there is him but I can see others as well, I think Sem Steijn at Twente and Mijnans at AZ Alkmaar are interesting lads to follow, but there are only 3 or sometimes 4 spots available, so it’s not easy.”
There were some critical questions about the strikers. Brobbey having a dry spell, Zirkzee not scoring much…. The national team manager didn’t agree. “I think Brobbey is playing really well and that means the goals will come. He scored a zinger this weekend, right?
And Zirkzee, he’s another type of player and also didn’t play that much this season. And at times, you also need to look at the players around them. What service do they get?”
Lastly, Koeman was asked about the value of the Nations League. Is this a good way to prepare players? The former Barca coach was clear in his response: “It’s a prize. Another trophy. So even though it doesn’t yet have the allure of a World Cup, it will count on your CV. And it’s a more serious way of organising games, as opposed to the friendlies we used to have. We’re in Group A and we have been there from the start. Only Group A teams can make it into the finals and win this. And don’t forget, this is also a backstop, for teams that can’t qualify for the World Cup, the Nations League finals allows for participation in a series of play-offs allowing you a ticket for the World Cup. That is nice to have, eve if you don’t really expect to need it.”
Line-up
I think Koeman will play with a strong team versus Hungary, as we want to win and need to win.
Verbruggen
Dumfries – De Vrij – Van Dijk – Timber
Frenkie – Gravenberch
Simons – Reijnders – Gakpo
Brobbey
I think we’ll win this 4-1 allowing for Oranje to experiment a tad versus Bosnia Herzegovina.
We might see Olij make his debut against Bosnia and a return to the team for Koopmeiners and Lang.
Thought Simons was out with injury, am I wrong?
I like Dejong/Grav./Reijnders in the mf. Brobbey at CF. Frimpong or give Lang a try on the right.
I think you are correct, Xavi is not there. I haven’t been able to follow the news too well, sorry. I’d give Lang a go.
It’s certainly a strong team selected. If we can’t perform Vs Hungary and Bosnia, then something is seriously wrong, with Koeman.
We don’t have enough leaders, that I agree. The latest match Vs Germany showed that. With these leaders back, I expect a strong performance this international break and ending 2024 on the high by qualifying for the NL knock-out rounds.
Hi Jan..Thanks for the post..i feel very bad that koeman is still coach.he is a proven failure,any coach who plays xavi simons on right wing is nothing lesser than idiot..We have a strong team,i dont have to yell at particular players anymore..but now koeman is the problem..i have not seen last 4 matches of us..koeman has sucked va all big teams..tactically zero coach..so i am not exited..these coaches will screw us time and time again,when will dutch have courageous tactically smart coach..(i excuse Van gaal)..pathetic coach,dishonest,money hunter,serial looser thats what koeman is..
I tend to agree with the anti Koeman sentiments.
The world has changed and Koeman didn’t change with it. If you look at how younger coaches like Farioli, Priske, Slot, De Zerbi and co treat the media during pressers. Koeman is always cynical, secretive, and suspicious.
I also believe in today’s world the success coaches are tactical wizards, who can instruct players to the T about what to expect in a game or of an opponent.
Koeman seems to become a more and more old fashioned type manager, like Advocaat who instructs his players with “go for it boys!” …. I am exaggerating of course.
As for Xavi, he’s wonderful but is he better than Reijnders on 10? I would love to see a proper winger on the right (Lang, Malen, Stengs) and use Xavi as a 10, but behind Reijnders.
I also think Gakpo is the best left winger we have and Brobbey our best striker.
Can’t wait for Hartman to return…
Gakpo on the left for sure and Malen on the right. Lang is just back and not 100% yet. If Brobbey doesn´t deliver put Gakpo central as he already played that position at Liverpool and put Lang left. In my opinion both Gakpo and Lang are best on left wing…..
hi no one is here,most probably i feel people are fed up with koeman.We have nothing to expect from koeman..there was match between ajax legends Vs real madrid legends..ajax legends were coached by van gaal..ajax was fantstic ,oldies looked better thah koemans current team(its too much i understand)..
We have not beaten any top team under koeman ,and it looks unlikely that he will beat a top team..
He plays simons as Right winger,who doesnt even go that side at Leverkusen.
He sees dumfries is the only RB we have.
He sees timber as LB ,as if he is short of left backs .
He is not a coach who thinks out of the box and find a solution at right time..
He starts weghorst who is always best when comes as substitute than a starter..
He thinks Gakpo should be unquestionable starter as if Gakpo won 5 ballon d ors in a raw..
He is such a clown..i switched of at half time and slept..koeman is disgusting..people lost hope and interest..
Hahaha, thanks Emmanual, for speaking on behalf of all the people.
I can assure you millions of people still care and have not lost hope.
You can see Timber as a left back. He plays there regularly for Arsenal.
Koeman used Weghorst in order to use a proper 4-3-3 and not use the box in midfield. Hungary props up the centre of the pitch, so we needed width. And with Hungary defending deep, we needed to be able to cross balls from wide and it’s handy to have Weghorst there.
I didn’t mind this line up. You’ll see Brobbey versus Bosnia, I’m sure.
Timber is not technical enough but makes up the ground defensively.he is no where near too digne, hernandez, hakimi,TAA, kimmich, walker esque. His main asset or strength is his robustness and that’s pretty much it. The reason why he is starting at arsenal is because all the recognised lbs are either injured and he is the only better option at the moment as makeshift. I remember sometime back tomayasu used to play at LB and is injured too. He doesn’t provide much threat going forward and given he is right footed always drifts in rather than overlapping. Seldom. His crosses are also flat given he cannot open his body up playing on the left. You often see this with gakpo as well where he has to cut inside to make those crosses. Its just political that maatsen is not selected because he has been vocal about koeman and his selection and if you look both him and digne at villa, critics always say maatsen brings different energy and in different phases of his game. Even when he was starter at dortmund he didn’t got the nod and now he deemed as a bench player when he is clicking good minutes. Again its delimma of how u play and what you can bring to the table.
How can you justify two defensive FBs who neither can be impactful on or off the bench. It’s a no brainer but for koeman it’s going on the right direction. It’s so disappointing and this is the reason why the team do not prosper. Its so clear, what has hato done to deserve a call up. Nothing it’s just a technical selection to down play maatsen and the fact that he has been featuring on the bench. I mean so many current players are being rotated off bench at their clubs and how much weight playing and starting at eredivisie carry. When will the Dutch football evolve and its so heartbreaking to see how these morons are ruining the chances and prosperity of the team.
Just to make my point clear. It’s all about cutting edge and like I said what can you bring to the table. You look at digne, fernandez, TAA, pretty much average defensively but offensive are very instrumental complementing the attacking phases and creating chances. Then you also you look at dumfries on the other side but we all know koeman and van gaals super tatic of one flank being more attacking then the other and this u only find in Dutch football and no where else and biazzare thing is that they think they can outclass modern days teams with this tactic. It’s has been tried and tested so many times and in tournaments and in the ends buckles to its knee but they are still persistent searching for break through and if compare it with other top teams they pin them down taking full advantage of this. Sturboness I guess and that’s again what’s on the card come QF
Once dumfries threat is neturized. Its a nose dive and try to look at this in the QF
Yo Wilson, you’ll have seen that this time around Koeman abandoned the box midfield and went with two high full backs. IT worked, but only partly as we were countered to hell and back by the Hungarians, who simply missed their chances.
The Maatsen thing could well be right, but coaches don’t like players who mouth off. That is also part of being part of team. It could also be that Virgil said to Koeman, I don’t like him, he is cocky or arrogant or doesn’t listen.
Ever heard of Jaden Sancho? The Chelsea players don’t like him now either. Everywhere he goes, people want to get rid of him. Some players have this and it’s perfectly normal for a coach to kick them out of the squad.
I agree that Jurrien Timber is not the perfect LB but you paint him as a limited player. Says more about you and your view on football.