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Dutch 23 player setup for the EC

Discussion in 'International Football General Chat' started by Cove, May 26, 2012.

  1. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Earlier this afternoon head coach Bert van Marwijk just released his list of the 23 players that will go to the EC.
    Here is the full list:

    Goalies:
    -Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma)
    -Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
    -Michel Vorm (Swansea City)

    Defenders:
    -Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart)
    -Wilfred Bouma (PSV)
    -John Heitinga (Everton)
    -Joris Mathijsen (Malaga)
    -Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord)
    -Jetro Willems (PSV)
    -Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

    Midfielders:
    -Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona)
    -Wesley Sneijder (Inter)
    -Mark van Bommel (AC Milan)
    -Nigel de Jong (Manchester City)
    -Kevin Strootman (PSV)
    -Stijn Schaars (Sporting)
    -Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)

    Strikers:
    -Luuk de Jong (FC Twente)
    -Dirk Kuijt (Liverpool)
    -Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04)
    -Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
    -Luciano Narsingh (sc Heerenveen)
    -Arjen Robben (Bayern München)
     
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  2. Pete Doherty

    Pete Doherty New Member

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    What a **** defence.
     
    #2
  3. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Well, i wont beg the differ. The Netherlands haven't produced a world class defender since Jaap Stam and Frank de Boer.
    Though there are a couple of lads around the age of 20 that are upcoming in the Dutch league. But yes, it is the main weakness of the squad.
    Luckily there is a golden rule in Football, quoting Johan Cruijff: "You just have to score one more than your opposition does"
     
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  4. Sanj

    Sanj Well-Known Member

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    Their defence does not get exposed because they normally play two DM's in midfield. So, not having world class CB's does not bother them much.
     
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  5. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Last 5 fixtures:

    Sweden - The Netherlands 3-2
    Germany - The Netherlands 3-0
    The Netherlands - Switzerland 0-0
    England - The Netherlands 2-3
    Bayern Munchen - The Netherlands 3-2
     
    #5
  6. Sanj

    Sanj Well-Known Member

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    Out of that lot, only one was not a friendly (Sweden game). It's far more prudent to judge a team on actual qualifiers and tournaments.

    Let's look at the last world cup for example,

    2-0 vs Denmark

    1-0 vs Japan

    2-1 vs Cameroon

    2-1 vs Slovakia

    2-1 vs Brazil

    3-2 vs Uruguay

    0-1 vs Spain


    Only Uruguay managed to score more than once against Holland. They only let in six goals with no world class defenders.
     
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  7. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    All this is absolutely true, no argue about that.

    BUT(and this is a big but): Joris Mathijssen is not in form, has only played about 10 matches this season. Heitinga isnt in top shape either.
    Ron Vlaar is just inept for the job on top level. Put Christiano Ronaldo in front of him and he'll need a shrink after the game.
    And here comes the main problem: at the WC we had Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Now... NOTHING.
    Seriously, our only true left back, Pieters, is injured for the next 2 months. We got no true LB in the entire nation fit for the position except for Willems.
    And he's 18 years old and only played last half of the season. Did good, but to go from youth-reserves-first squad PSV to the national team to the EC in just 7 months...
    Thats a wee bit too much to ask.
     
    #7
  8. Sanj

    Sanj Well-Known Member

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    Yep, that's indeed a big problem for you. Never knew about how bad the problems at LB was. But, I still think with your system and with the players you have in midfield, you will not let the defence get exposed to a point in which you start to ship loads of goals.

    Also, what's going to happen to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar? He had such an amazing season and has been brilliant for Netherlands . Can the Netherlands fit him in?
     
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  9. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Very stubborn headcoach, almost autistic like.
    He will never put Huntelaar and v Persie at the same time into play. Whilst the entire cries out for a starting 11 with them both, Van Marwijk isn't changing his tactics.
    Huntelaar will play, but probably as a substitute pinch-hitter or if progressed by the second game, he'll start in the third game. And thats about it unfortunately.
     
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  10. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    #10

  11. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Rectification

    Krul

    Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Willems

    Van Bommel, De Jong

    VAN PERSIE, Sneijder, Van der Vaart

    HUNTELAAR​
     
    #11
  12. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Mathijsen injured, 12th minute. Subsituted, Wilfried Bouma in.
    Report on the injury will follow as soon as i get any info.
     
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  13. Vilsmeier-Haack Reaction

    Vilsmeier-Haack Reaction Well-Known Member

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    <laugh>

    Proved wrong on the stubborn coach
     
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  14. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Yea, but reminder, these are friendlies. Its the only time he experiments with squad tactics in 2 years time.
    When the EC starts its back to the old an familiar 4-2-3-1 formation with v persie as the only ST.
    But its ironic that he puts Huntelaar and v persie in now. And after 65 minutes i can say, its not really working, Van Persie on the right flank.
     
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  15. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Here we go, Robben for Huntelaar. Its back to 4-2-3-1 now. Kuijt replaced Van der Vaart earlier on.
     
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  16. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    1-2 Bulgaria wins. Big error in the 92nd minute by the Dutch defense. Heitinga and Bouma positioned badly, Van der Wiel was nowhere near when the cross came in and a header was sent the ball towards goal with great speed, enough to pass goalie Tim Krul. 5 goals against in 2 matches.
     
    #16
  17. Vilsmeier-Haack Reaction

    Vilsmeier-Haack Reaction Well-Known Member

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    Worrying times for the Netherlands? Germans had a blip as well, but their squad was lacking the Bayern contingent. Sorry but I just cant see past Spain
     
    #17
  18. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    Big problems.

    Last 6 games: 4 losses, 1 draw, and 1 win.
     
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  19. JCC87

    JCC87 Member

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    Hmm as an observer wouldnt it be wiser to try Sneijder wide on the right, he played wonderfully there for Inter Milan under Mourinho when they won the Champions league

    Yeah I understand that their defensive side is lacking especially when you see both Bouma and Boulahrouz in the squad.

    How many friendlies are left.

    I think next friendly they should try a formation like this



    Van Der Weil - Heitinga - Bouma - Willems(Isnt Anita better but been dropped)

    Van Bommel - Van Der Vaart

    Sneijder - Van Persie - Robben

    Huntelaar


    Only main guy left out would be De Jong who can at times be a liability


    What do you think ?
     
    #19
  20. Cove

    Cove Well-Known Member

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    2 friendlies left, Slovakia and Northern Ireland. Slovakia on wednesday and Northern Ireland on saturday.


    Van Persie never ever played behind Huntelaar. That position has always been given to either Sneijder or vd Vaart. So that would be very uncomfortable for v Persie to start with. Its almost 4 years ago he played on that position on a regular base. I personally would opt for a 4-4-2 formation with both Huntelaar and v Persie in the box.

    Its daring and risky but i think it could work.
    My line-up:

    Stekelenburg
    Van der Wiel - Heitinga - Mathijsen - Willems
    Kuyt - Sneijder - Van Bommel - Robben
    Huntelaar - Van Persie​
     
    #20

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