Ah the old "You can play all of Tadic some of the time, and you can play some of Tadic all of the time, but you can't play all of Tadic all of the time" job. Classic
Jordy Clasie has not travelled, and neither has Shane Long - he's ill. Steven Caulker is now available and could be involved. Clasie and Long could be back this weekend, but Bertrand needs two weeks more. Gastón also injured.
That was more interesting than usual. Both Ronald and Pelle mentioned that Dutch teams have too many young players, because agents are getting moves abroad for them too early. As Ron said, the move is for the good of the agents not the player. Shame that Long couldn't travel....let's hope he is back for the Newcastle game. And Elia is going to Feyenoord. I'm glad RK takes all competitions seriously....says he only rests players if they need to be...if fit he starts with his best side. With you on that, Ronald.
Quick write-up from Koeman's section. - Taking it seriously - Hates losing - Won't be doing a West Ham and fielding a weakened side - Caulker is available to play - Long is ill and in England - Clasie is in England - Both of those two could return against Newcastle - Bertrand still 2/3 weeks away - Gastón is injured and his future at Saints is 'difficult' - Goretzka is not on his list - Wants to bring in another centre-back - Won't comment on Van Dijk as he's not my player That's the Saints-related stuff. The rest was him talking about his time in Arnhem and his views on Dutch football.
If Van Dijk was not a possibility he would have said so, as he was quick to discount Goretzka, so could still happen. When talking Dutch, he sounded like he was planning the invasion of Poland and Austria. Just needed a little 'tache.
Yes, I found all that interesting too. It's nice that Elia is going back to Feyenoord. I'm getting a wee soft spot back for Dutch football that has always been ready to be there again ever since the Johan Cruyff era. The decline of Dutch football is another example of talent being manipulated by outside sources purely because of greed. What should be happening is that Dutch football, which has always been entertaining, at least, should get a better deal with its own domestic football arrangements. For example, I heard the Dutch journalist Marcel van der Krann mention the other day, while being interviewed by Adam Blackmore, that Southampton's slice of PL TV money is one third bigger than the entire TV money given over to the Eredivisie. I find that statistic astonishing, and it means that once great clubs like Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord are effectively being cut adrift from European competition. Only 20-25 years ago, those three clubs were still amongst the best in the world. Now they may have to qualify for the CL even if they are champions. It's a pretty poor show for a prominant football nation, in my opinion.
