I'm sure Fer isn't designated as a withdrawn striker in Van Gaal's 'player profile sketch' so that'll never happen!
I'm going to wait until we see some actual qualifying results before I praise or blame Van Gaal for anything.
And where does van Persie play in that setup? Do you think Sneijder should be dropped so that van Persie - Who has yet to prove that he deserves a spot in the starting XI for Oranje - can play in the midfield, or are you suggesting that he be played on the right wing? (real question)
Free role behind Huntelaar. Let him do as he pleases. Sneijder as a false left winger. I just don't get why up front, tactical discipline has to be important, and positions have to be so cut in stone. Sneijder and Van Persie are players of extreme quality, they'll find each other. I'm in favour of not giving them any tactical job to speak of - for that to work you need grafters behind them of course, but everybody knows my opinion on that subject.
Van Persie is pure class. Different club, same story.. he carries team on his back with brilliant display, and he makes everybody surround him a whole lot better. Van Persie in Oranje is a clear case of misused, or maybe (sadly) just a highlight of how bad his supporting casts are. Oranje desperately needs classic wingers who can beat their defenders and swing crosses to the box. Nani/Valencia and Walcott work (worked) wonderfully well for RvP. Hopefully Robben gets the memo. Not sure who's good enough to start on the right flank. Narsingh has been pretty mediocre in this early season (granted, nice assist today!) Above everything else, Van Persie needs a dynamic midfield, three players who can move the ball around quickly, create space for him, and so often send long balls forward to let RvP does his magic. Arsenal had Song, Arteta and Rosiscky (especially good at end tail of last season). SAF sent out Scholes today to help Carrick and speed up the tempo. In the Dutch NT setup, Sneijder does the heavy lifting ALL THE TIME. Enough of this nonsense! Somebody else need to step up and contribute to the attack. Maybe Clasie and Fer can be the answers. Strootman, I had little confidence in, but what the heck.. everybody is worth a try at this point. Finger-crossed, Afellay will finally arise from his slumber and become a dominant player.. from midfield that is, not as a winger.
I'm with you. A team needs to be formed around our outstanding players. With Van Gaal however there's no chance in hell that that's going to happen. Elia could be back on track, that'd be nice.
I'd be open to playing a 4-5-1 with Clasie - de Jong/Fer behind Sneijder, van Persie and Robben, but I'm also happy with a 4-3-3. Whether van Persie plays striker or right wing or bench in that formation doesn't matter much to me. Against Turkey I'd like to see Huntelaar in the middle and van Persie on the right with Robben giving them lots of service from the left. People's main criticism of Huntelaar is that he's a minnow beater, but that's exactly what we need to get through the qualification.
Agreed. The best players MUST play, the system of play should be based on the talent of the squad not some set in stone rigid thought process. Van Gaal better get his head out of his ass. Defensive players for Oranje let much to be desired. I cannot believe the possible partnership of Vlaar and Mathijsen. These two slow, unatheletic, lack of quality with ball makes me sick.