312 replies to this topic

[Tokyo Sexwale]

Yeah, Boulah is still there. Mainly because, besides Bruma, there aren't any good young central defenders or right full-backs breaking through for us. Seems likely he'll be at the EC too, at the expense of Vlaar, when Van der Wiel returns.





Luciano Narsingh is a pacey, young right winger that's been in top form for Heerenveen this season. Main reason behind Dost being topscorer and Heerenveen being near the top of the Eredivisie. Has got bags of potential, recently said he wouldn't mind a move to Ajax.

Most likely line-up:

Stekelenburg

Bruma - Heitinga - Mathijsen - Pieters

Van Bommel - Strootman

Robben - Sneijder - Van der Vaart

Van Persie

[Matieo]

Ahh, now I remember. You guys posted a video of him and Assaidi a while back. Good to see him get a call up.

[DaGRvP]

No Roy Beerens? I'm not sure how consistent he is as I don't watch AZ week in week out but every time I watch them play he looks pretty useful, did well against Anderlecht. Quick, very good technically, and provides great width with a good delivery. Would definitely be better than Kuyt IMO, he has no business ever being called up for a NT like Netherlands.

[Tokyo Sexwale]

Both Narsingh and John have more potential in their play. Truth to be told, Narsingh is better in every aspect of being a winger than Beerens bar perhaps defensive work-rate. Luciano's quicker, more nimble, technically more gifted and provides better crosses. And Ola John is a real menace with both his left and right foot, something that can be useful when posting him on the left wing. Beerens is a good player but he's not good enough to play around with the big boys nor does he still carry the same potential he did when just leaving PSV for Heerenveen.

As for Kuyt, nobody likes him but Van Marwijk's an extremely loyal manager that enjoys hard-working individuals and has a strong affection for Kuyt's ability to bring stability to our midfield and his defensive work rate. Thus the Liverpuddlian remains in our set-up, sadly. I'd much rather have Ola John out there as a left winger than the third goalpost they call Dirk Kuyt.

[Spiona]

Oh yeah, we beat England at Wembley by 3-2 by 2 cool goals from Robben and one EXCELLENT header by Klaas-Jan "Grassspitter" Huntelaar.

First goal was a joke how easy Robben got past those defenders, by credits to Huntelaar for making that distracting run, and hysterical that both defenders took the bait....

Second goal was in my opinion excellent, a really solid cross followed by a really solid header, Smalling was a irresponsible in my opinion, just completely mistimed his block, clashing heads like that is really dangerous, I know it wasn't his intentions but in my opinion it was reckless.

Third goal was a gem, Robben really needs an inch with his left foot to have a chance, solid demonstration on how lethal he is with his left leg.

The goals we conceded showed one again that the defense is our weak points, especially the 2nd goal was so poorly defended that I almost had to pink away a tear.


But now the dilemma we all have (I hope)... Huntelaar vs van Persie?
It is a major luxury problem... With this system... it pains me to say I prefer Huntelaar in the center (doesn't mean van Persie couldn't replace Kuyt btw).
Huub Stevens opted for a system he uses with van Persie in the Raul role and Huntelaar in the... Huntelaar role, I quite like the sound of that I think they could pull that off, but they have been playing in this system for ages I don't know how long they need to adapt to that... and I'm quite sure van Marwijk wouldn't change since he a creature of habit (and I can only fault him if we don't give a respectable performance at the EC... which basicly is winning the damn thing ).

[OGC]

Huntelaar always performs for the national team and doesn't demand as much of the ball as Van Persie. When you have guys who love having the ball like Robben, who is encouraged to be selfish and take people on, I think Huntelaar would be a better option. Depends where Robben is in terms of fitness and form. Hopefully he doesn't get injured in the next few months. Robben when on form is still, I feel, Holland's best player. I can safely bet my house on him tearing any full back in a 1v1 situation more times than not.

[Tokyo Sexwale]

Huntelaar for me. Steps up to the plate every single time in an orange jersey. I can't say the same for Robin, as much as I enjoy watching him for Arsenal.

[OGC]

So the provisional squad so far is:

Quote

Goalkeepers: Tim Krul (Newcastle United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City AFC).
Defenders: Vurnon Anita (AFC Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), John Heitinga (Everton FC), Joris Mathijsen (Málaga CF), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (AFC Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven).
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City FC), Siem de Jong (AFC Ajax), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale Milano), Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur FC)
Forwards: Ibrahim Afellay (FC Barcelona), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Jeremain Lens (PSV Eindhoven), Luciano Narsingh (sc Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC), Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München).

What do you guys make of the players who got cut yesterday? Personally I'd still have at least one of Buttner or Urby in there just incase. Willems is just 18 and Anita is a very average player at LB. Other than that, I think Van Marwijk has been spot on. I'd cut Kuyt, Bouma, Maher and Siem de Jong (gutted for him, coming off an excellent season but can't be argued when he's competing against Sneijder and Van der Vaart).

[Akka Dadda]

OGC, on 17 May 2012 - 05:54 AM, said:

So the provisional squad so far is:



What do you guys make of the players who got cut yesterday? Personally I'd still have at least one of Buttner or Urby in there just incase. Willems is just 18 and Anita is a very average player at LB. Other than that, I think Van Marwijk has been spot on. I'd cut Kuyt, Bouma, Maher and Siem de Jong (gutted for him, coming off an excellent season but can't be argued when he's competing against Sneijder and Van der Vaart).

I already mentioned this about the LB position in the ''Dorpskroeg'' but I'll post it here since this is the proper thread

The LB position will be decided over the course of the next few friendlies where BvM will test out the options. I'm not happy with any of the options tbh, however, if I had to choose I'd probably go with Schaars. Last time he played LB he did a pretty good job if my memory serves me well. Admittedly, I haven't seen a lot from Anita but the thing I liked about Pieters is that he was big and strong aside from being quick which means he wouldn't get overrun that easily in his defensive duties which is what I'm afraid will happen to Anita. Ajax supporters could shed some light there though.

[OGC]

Anita is a walking disaster if he plays LB against Portugal and Germany- teams stocked up on quality wide players. He gets away with it at times in the Eredivisie but even then it's quite obvious he struggles there. I might be a bit biased but I'd have him next to Van Bommel in midfield. He's been incredible there. Can break down play and distribute the ball quickly. Much safer option than Van der Vaart if Holland was to try and play their traditional way to the championship (unlikely).

I never thought losing Pieters was going to be so troublesome. Strootman can/has played there before hasn't he? Might be worth a shot in the friendlies and see how he does. I've never seen Schaars play at LB before but since he's just going to be used as a cover for the midfield, might as well try him there.

[Akka Dadda]

OGC, on 17 May 2012 - 11:37 AM, said:

Anita is a walking disaster if he plays LB against Portugal and Germany- teams stocked up on quality wide players. He gets away with it at times in the Eredivisie but even then it's quite obvious he struggles there. I might be a bit biased but I'd have him next to Van Bommel in midfield. He's been incredible there. Can break down play and distribute the ball quickly. Much safer option than Van der Vaart if Holland was to try and play their traditional way to the championship (unlikely).

I never thought losing Pieters was going to be so troublesome. Strootman can/has played there before hasn't he? Might be worth a shot in the friendlies and see how he does. I've never seen Schaars play at LB before but since he's just going to be used as a cover for the midfield, might as well try him there.

Regarding Anita, that's exactly what I thought, he would struggle immensely. I can't comment on Anita being the best option next to van Bommel because like I said before I haven't seen much from Ajax this season. Knowing BvM though, he'll most likely go for the van Bommel - de Jong tandem. I think in the upcoming friendlies he has a lot to try out. I just hope Kuyt and Bouma get cut first and foremost. Would much rather have Narsingh than Kuyt and Bouma can barely keep up in the Eredivisie, imagine against Europe's elite. As far as Strootman is concerned, I've never seen him play left-back before and never even considered him for that position but it wouldn't hurt to try it out at this point.

Edited by Akka Dadda, Yesterday, 11:57 AM.

[Matieo]

No Emanuelson either. Somewhere Nani is smiling.

Is VDV still playing LAM?

[Akka Dadda]

Matieo, on 17 May 2012 - 04:03 PM, said:

No Emanuelson either. Somewhere Nani is smiling.

Is VDV still playing LAM?

I still cannot wrap my mind around Emanuelson's exclusion either, but hey, van Marwijk has led us to the WC final and has a great track record with the Dutch NT, so who am I to question him at this point. Pieter's exclusion really does pose more of a problem than initially thought. We'll see how that problem gets sorted out. As for vdV, he will most likely be coming off the bench. I doubt van Marwijk would dare to play with van Bommel or de Jong and vdV, due to the mediocre defense and vdV is not exactly known for tracking back and defending. Cruijff actually suggested for van Marwijk to make use of all the great midfielders and attackers that the Netherlands boast by starting all of them together somehow, resulting in an attacking machine a la Barcelona, but would most likely leak many goals as well due to the weak defense.

Edited by Akka Dadda, Yesterday, 05:26 PM.