So we missed out on a draw by a few millimetres. I still think we played well. Malen missed an open net, and Reijnders and Depay also had good chances. Overall I'm not worried. I think we can make the semifinals
^^^ With the talents that this team has and the current states of other nations, this team should be at least semi finalist and has a decent chance to contend for the Euro title. However, with Koeman' selections of players and tactics so far I think the best they can reach is also Quarter Final. The biggest concern I have is the midfield, left back, then the inabilities to use certain players' strengths (e.g. Xavi, Frimpong, Koop).
Koeman much like Van Gaal and De Boer can’t stop the ridiculous Love Affair with certain players. What’s even more disturbing is his rant of needing a 26 man squad, which tells us he can’t pick his team. After those self inflicted issues are dealt with his upside down tactics and player selections are even more questionable. Blind De Roon Wout Gini take them along if you like, but as staff members not players.
What bothers/worries me is the fact that, given we only have 4 friendlies, now 2 left, to test players for inclusion or not, he wasted those opportunities to select and even field players we know their abilities (Weghorst/Blind/de Roon), instead of testing some who could be candidates. Why play Blind, instead of giving Timber the time to merge with the other players? This points to me to the uncomfortable conclusion Blind starts in Germany. 31097
31223 It turns out that these were the only matches to use as selection tools, as when we're playing the next 2 friendlies, the selection already has to be submitted. Great. So we got to select players without knowing if they're any good in the Euro or not. Or not select them in the first place. Here we're shown the benefits of a coach without a long term view, like in xx months we've a tournement, let's add to the selection on our way to that players with promise to evaluate them. Now we're stuck with blindfold decisions.
I have long insisted on this, patricularly looking at it from a transition point of view and building quality depth and this is where dutch managment have shot themselves in the foot time and time again. They just can not get the transition going at the right time. In the end they are left with the dilemma of going to tournaments and playing snake and ladder. I was talking about this on another forum. That German LB who scored the first goal vs NT, I remember him when I use to follow Dilrosun at hertha Berlin and that time he was a winger competing with dilrosun and starting. Later he switched to LB and I knew the guy was going to reach the top one day. Hertha got relegated and I lost track of him. Got a shock when I saw his name in the german selection with other uncapped players from Stuttgart. Other teams are doing and recognizing players who are coming up. You look at Italy, Mancini constinusly overlooked pellegrini during his time. Now under spalletti he is proving to be top architect in the team and just like at Roma. vicario of spurs as well. In NT, it's just complicated and dragging with very little success. Blinds selection, it'sjust an eye sore knowing how his presence impacts the dynamics of the team. They just fail and pretend that it's normal and it has continued to backfire in how many tournaments now. Time and time again in big games he turns out to be anal hole. Maatsen shud be ahead of blind but the management see blinds experience being priority and game changer when it's not. What did he do vs Germany. 1 good free kick. Yes maatsen is inexperience but he is more comptent than blind and can bring more flare and cutting edge to the team than blind. I mean at least he is not vulnerable like to that of blind. He gives his best and yes sometimes he does comes out second best in breakdowns being verpowered. Its true and this is whats the main reason why NT continue to have upward and down ward trajectory cycle without maintaining a consistency
31462 Coach Marko Rose supports Xavi after Koeman's criticism: https://nos.nl/artikel/2514654-simo...trainer-na-kritiek-koeman-geef-hem-juiste-rol NOS Football• today, 1:50 PM Simons gets support Leipzig coach after criticism Koeman: 'Give him the right role'
Smart thing to do by Rose. Leipzig badly want Xavi to stay, and hopefully he doesn’t go back to dysfunctional PSG. Koeman needs to utilize him differently but Xavi certainly needs to play better. Looked quite vibrant in his very limited appearance against Germany, but I’m not happy to read about Xavi boycotting the Dutch media. Although annoying and at times off base the media is Xavi needs to deal with it. Certainly someone in his “team” should be telling him to grow up a bit here, and like I said deal with the media.
Timbers should be given more playing minutes. With his plays in limited minutes he will not make it to Euro. Gravenberch may not make it either. Weghorst/Blind/de Roon will make the final squad barring injuries; probably Wijnaldum will too. I will not take the latter 3. Schouten should start with De Jong and Reijders. I am fine with Hartman and Maatsen.
As a reminder to all who post on this forum, any post that wishes for a player to be injured will be immediately removed. Furthermore, penalty points will be assessed. Last warning!!!!
Verbruggen just made an incredible save in 90th minute against Liverpool. But he also let an offside goal go between his legs earlier. I still think he's our #1 though
Yes I agree and certainly hope he is the Dutch # 1 for the Euros and next decade for that matter. No player is perfect, or flawless, and that said Verbruggen was fortunate here but he’s showing some top quality. Brighton was under quite a bit of duress defending deeply at times and Verbruggen was not bothered by it. Van Hecke is one who continues to impress and certainly Koeman and whoever on his staff needs to keep a closer eye on.
Ake comes off injured in first half of the big City Arsenal match. Appears to be right calf. Please God let him recover soon.
Koeman can’t cast aside his favorites Blind De Roon Weghorst Gini. That’s a big reason why he wants 26 man roster. Truthfully it’s way too much. Keep it at the normal 23 man roster before this past World Cup in Qatar
Guardiola in his press conference didn’t seem to be optimistic about Ake Looks like he’s going to miss considerable time. Bad news for Oranje. I guess a slightly better news is that Van der Ven is back to Spurs’ bench this yesterday (though didn’t register minutes).
Hartman will miss the Euro https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/1685...feyenoorder-kan-het-ek-op-zijn-buik-schrijven