Oranje WC team starts to take shape

Qualification games are never fun. I find them disruptive for my football pleasure. Normally, there are dozens of games to look out for in a weekend (Eredivisie, EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga) but during these qualification weeks, it’s basically two matches (I really don’t care about Norway, Denmark or Italy to be honest) and these matches usually disappoint.

The Dutch are notoriously rubbish in qualification games. i think only under Van Gaal ( 2014, not 2002!!) and Van Marwijk did we manage to simply brush opponents aside.

A lot of lesser involved people usually are in shock if I tell them Oranje shouldn’t even have competed in the 1974 World Cup as it was a referee howler that got us qualified… I will expose my old age, I know, but I have sat through really dreadful qualification matches in the 1980s and 1990s. We just don’t do those well.

Once we’re at the tournament, there is a fair chance we do perform ( 1974, 1978, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2024) but there are no guarantees ( 1976, 1980, 1990, 1996).

I can be critical on the team and specifically Ronald Koeman, but I can also see why it’s not always easy for players to perform.

Early qualification results

The first qualification match versus Poland was a game in which some of our top performers simply weren’t “ready”, due to either injuries/fitness or as a result of club moves. Players like Hato, Simons, Malen, Frimpong, Brobbey were still settling in, while others were simply not (match) fit, like Ake, Memphis, Quinten Timber, Justin Kluivert, Teun Koopmeiners, Zirkzee.

The Poland draw was a fluke. We controlled the game and a Sunday shot of their right back bamboozled Verbruggen. The Lithuania game was a disaster, and in particular due to the disconnect between attack and defence. Huge gaps in midfield, as our attackers didn’t track back as they should, while our defenders (Virgil!!) were dropping off instead of pushing up! Even Lithuania can hurt you then.

Malta away was – as per usual – a bore to watch. Uninspirational match, terrible pitch, the only thing that counts is winning and staying healthy.

The home game against Finland got us something to cheer. Played in the Arena, a modern stadium with a more than decent pitch.

And timing was good as most players found their feet in their club season and we only had to deal with the absence of Quinten Timber (who I rate) due to injury and Memphis being late due to passport issues. Not sure what the story was, but it seems he was robbed. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if he misplaced it in one of his many Rolls Royces…. Anyway!

The game against Malta of 9 October

Against Malta, Koeman wanted to go with a proper 4-3-3, ergo with two wingers keeping the pitch wide and a target man on top (Weghorst). It worked in the sense that Frimpong was threatening and we won the game, but the flow was missing, partly due to the pitch, but also due to the aforementioned lack of cohesion between attack and defence. Add to this the slow pace and the constant dribble attempts and you have the reason why it seemed (and was) sluggish.

What also didn’t work against Malta, was our right side. It’s quite obvious that – even though both are top notch players – using Frimpong and Dumfries together on the right is not the best solution. Dumfries’ strength is pushing up, with big strides, but Frimpong took that space and made it hard for Dumfries to shine. In confined spaces, the Inter defender is not at his best either, so his yield was a tad low (but still he got an assist).

This 4-3-3 can work, but probably smarter to use Timber or Geertruida as right back, as these guys are very comfortable on the ball and can push into midfield to start the build up. Not something Dumfries is good at. I can image there will be games where this can work, and definitely in games when Dumfries is injured or suspended.

The game against Finland of 12 October

Against Finland, Koeman wanted to go back to his “square in midfield”, meaning: using a player on the right who will drift centrally to support Memphis and become the second 10, in this case, next to Kluivert.

Donyell Malen is the ideal candidate for this, as he is very direct and lightfooted and agile. He’s also lightning fast and tactically astute. Xavi Simons can play that role too, but has less depth. Xavi prefers the ball in feet. This “square in midfield” does offer Dumfries all the space to bomb into so the former Sparta man is more comfortable.

Koeman also decided to rest / bench Reijnders. The Man City midfielder is more an 8 than a 10, in my book and Koeman uses him as a 10 because he simply wants to use his best midfielders. But, as we have seen in the past with Sneijder/Van der Vaart or Lampard/Gerrard, the three midfielders are a bit similar: all three are great passers of the ball and all three like the ball to feet. Reijnders does have depth, but it’s not a real natural move for him. Reijnders is typically one of the players who tended to dribble a bit too much and clogged up the space, against Malta.

Koeman (or Jonk) recognised this and wanted a different 10 versus Finland. Xavi could have played there, or Quinten Timber when fit, but Justin Kluivert ended up being the perfect choice. Kluivert is a player who will run in behind and make dirty runs for his team mates. And that partnership with Memphis worked well.

This particular set up (“square in midfield”) works well and could well become Plan A for Oranje. Should the opponent require something different, or if Dumfries is not available, another type of right back will force Koeman to use a more traditional right winger ( Frimpong, but Malen or Lang can play that role as well).

It seems the starting line up is taking shape

In goal, Bart Verbruggen has not really disappointed (but also didn’t get too much to do). Flekken and Roefs are fine replacements and Olij or Bizot will be able to step in if need be.

Central defenders: Virgil is a sure thing, as long as he remains fit. Nathan Ake or Mickey Van der Ven are solid subs for the left CB role while Timber and Van Hecke will be the preferred options on the right. Mathijs de Ligt can not be discounted, but for Stefan de Vrij the World Cup might be a bridge too far. Botman at Newcastle is a dark horse, while Beukema is doing really well in the Serie A.

Left back: Mickey Van der Ven did well and with his speed he is a true weapon. Q Hartman will be a good option as is Hato, assuming he will play more than he does at the moment. Ake can fill the role as well and who knows, Malacia might play himself back in Man United’s favour.

Right back: As mentioned, Dumfries is beyond questioning if used right and Feyenoord’s Read can be considered a similar type of back. For a more inverted option, Geertruida and Jurrien Timber are good alternatives.

Midfield: We have quite some good midfielders, but there is maybe a bit too much similarities. Koopmeiners, Veerman, Reijnders, Schouten, Wiefer, all good passers of the game. Frenkie is a cert of course and Gravenberch is becoming one as well. The latter has a dribble and a great forward thrust in his game. Veerman offers much on the ball but less off the ball, while Reijnders has a deadly shot in both feet. Quinten Timber is also an all round midfielder, who can tackle, run, dribble, pass, shoot and score.

I think Sem Steijn is too light for Oranje, and Xavi, Justin Kluivert and Q Timber are probably better options for the 10 role, as is Zirkzee if he gets to play regular football. One dark horse that needs mentioning is Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente who has been impressing enormously as playmaker in Rotterdam.

For now, I think Koeman will always pick Frenkie and then fill in the other two from the trio of Gravenberch, Reijnders or a more attacking 10.

Forwards: I think Cody Gakpo will be everyone’s choice for left winger. Memphis is beyond discussion for the 9 role under Koeman and Weghorst’s energy and passion will probably get him the supersub role.

If Brobbey starts performing, he would be the obvious third choice of course. If not, Emegha or Meerdink might have a chance. Lang needs to play and if he does, I’d always take him along. Malen is a cert for me as is Frimpong.

A special word for Memphis. Often criticised and even ridiculed by the analysts and punters, but he’s currently the all time goal scorer for Oranje and now also the all time assist king ( taking the mantle from Wesley Sneijder).

When he made his move to Brazil last year, everyone wondered what this would do with this Oranje career. Well… we now know: he scored eight goals in eight games and created four goals. Twelve goal contributions by the former PSV rebel and long may it go.

Koeman was obviously happy with the performance against Finland, but still saw some issues. He felt some players (he mentioned Kluivert and Gravenberch) were drifting out of position too much, to Ronald’s liking, but otherwise it was a solid performance with – at times – some good football.

I’m actually not sure how many players we’re allowed to bring? Does anyone know?

Do give me your input in the players you believe should be on the boat to the US of A.