But Holland made loads of chances with that system - if RVP had been in his recent Arsenal form they would have won 3-1 at least, not to mention Robben making some really poor calls when he had good chances. I still don't see why you are so keen on playing creative midfielders deep, where, far from 'dictating the play' they are forced into long balls which rarely do damage. And the coach intentionally changed the shape with his substitutes who were nowhere near 'like-for-like' replacements. Schneider and VdV basically play in the same place so it is hard to get them both into the team, but playing VdV in a deep lying role is asking for trouble as he can't tackle.
Holland created a few chances, but they were often struggling badly to penetrate the Danish back line and were reduced to taking pot shots from distance. Despite largely dominating the meaningful possession, they only managed 6 shots on target, which resulted in a relatively comfortable game for Anderson in the Danish goal. Why am I keen on playing creative players deep? For the same reason that virtually every major team in Europe does it. Players like Xavi don't clock up many goals or assists in an average season (as my persistent Brunt>Xavi quote illustrates), but they totally run the show. Van Marwijk intentionally changed the system, but he switched to one that made little sense and seemed to confuse his own players. They didn't seem to know who was supposed to be doing what and the balance of the side was completely off. Perhaps that was just down to poor communication, but it seemed to make the Danes more of a threat, if anything. Van der Vaart can't tackle? Scholes, Modric, Xavi, Alonso and a million other creative midfielders can't, either. It was hardly an issue against the Danes, who were counter-attacking through their wingers, for the most part. The Dutch didn't need both van Bommel and De Jong to deal with Eriksen, although they did totally nullify him, as the main threat was from elsewhere.
i think they were over reliant on RVP......once Huntelaar came on...the attack spread a bit more and it became about creating chances..instead of creating chances for RVp..thats why they had so many shots but as you say..they were not really 'shots' were they? just pot shots from distance.
Agreed about the confusion - footballers are not clever enough to learn more than one system properly, which is why it is better to stick to something they have practiced and understand, although sometimes surprise tactics work. The teams who have won things recently have generally had their most creative midfielder high up the pitch (Silva for City, Mata for Chelsea, Iniesta for Barcelona/Spain). Surely you don't think VdV should be in the middle of a 442 - which is where he ended up in that match.
Xavi for Barcelona/Spain, in my opinion, though there's clearly room for more than one creative player in a team and also more than one type of creative player. In order for the likes of Iniesta, Mata and Silva to succeed, they need somebody pulling the strings in a deeper role and giving them the ball in dangerous areas. Should van der Vaart play in the middle of a 4-4-2? It's not ideal for him, but it's better than having De Jong and van Bommel, when facing negative opposition. The Dutch side seems to lack balance, though. The right side is fine, the spine is very good, but the left is either inexperienced, unfit or both and there are gaps in the system. They can be overcome, but it'll require some tinkering.
does this mean at international football where you gather players from various clubs...having played diffrent systems to each other..not all but some, that they will struggle to take on a system for their country set up by the national coach? i do understand what you are saying.....and it does seem to be the case...however i think its more a case of they dont know each others game as oppose to the system....VDV should have enough in his locker to be effective playing from the centre not just in the last third...he is no centrel midfielder thats why he isnt expected to be playing box to box or putting in crunching tackles...however for us he was often seen dropping as deep as our defenders to collect the ball..so i think he can play in a 442...sometimes far too much is made of systems.....there is a very fine line between them..442 can become 451 about 5 times in 2 minutes in any match.
KH is right though...i for one wouldnt say that a fellow Spurs fan has written a pointless article...people express their opinions,thoughts etc.....and thats why we have a forum.....much better to not comment on it at all...or create a counter argument..but dont just say its pointless end of. having said that Cockerel Barfly is a sound poster...nothing personal.
Surely its a forum where you'd be able to talk about good and bad articles and say that one is **** if you want (not that this one is KH ) no? but then who sets the criteria for ****?...this ****ty debate could go on! On the other hand you're not a real poster until you've had an article condemned as utter ****e!, in this case its a real minority that think that so I wouldn't care...too much!
whilst i agree with KH,i don't think there is anyone out there,we can afford who can do a better job than Harry at the Moment.I also worry that if he were to go who would decide to follow him out of the door playerwise.
