Holland vs N. Ireland & Belarus - Euro qualifiers

Good analysis here:

https://www.vi.nl/pro/hoe-koeman-het-zwoegende-oranje-alsnog-aan-het-draaien-kreeg

If ppl cannot read it, give a shout.

 

Yep. Guessing Koeman is trying to replicate the consistency model of Van Marwijk... I think that's too extreme. It makes the game so predictable to the opponent, and over time it makes the players become complacent. The "core" team should be the same, but it would make more sense to make 1-2 small changes based on the opponent's style. It's hard to argue that, had V.d. Beek and Malen/Promes started from the beginning, the outcome would have been different and the game would have been more enjoyable to watch.

Overall I think it's still some learning to do for Koeman and the team... which, honestly, I am okay with. This is not the right time, and way too early to peak. Wait until next Summer!!!

 

Bert van Marwijk did keep a core, but he also had the iron fist approach that you better play to win or you'll be replaced. Under van Marwijk the complacency shown/criticised by Koeman in training would have led under BvM to a stonehard comment, not committed enough, not good enough. Under BvM the training sessions were as compertitive as the matches as his motto was to be a winner you MUST win, everywhere. So also in training. It was also the time Orange players started to take friendlies serious as also there the BvM mantra was applicable, you play to win everything, if not your spot is in danger.
BvM demanded a winners attitude everywhere, not only in the matches that mattered.

 

• Perhaps admitting mistake will show that one is weak or not in control, but I think Koeman was very lucky. I still do not understand his decision not to start Van De Beek and Malen when we know that 99% N.I.R would park the bus.
• When N.I.R scored I was thinking about Janmaat mistake (I will not name names but you can watch the replay again) all over again.
• I would not expect Luuk De Jong to score the winner but he did and what a weird goal it was.
• I think this team now almost 95% guarantee will qualify. I don't see how we can win title with Koeman if he keeps doing the same thing like this. I was disappointed that we lost the Nations League and I think this team is good enough to win Euro if Koeman takes intelligent risks but instead it seems that he is loyal to players and will not drop them so I think he will bring these players during qualification to the Euro as their last tournament. It is a good but also bad thing.

• I really like Van Dijk, what a captain and a player he is.
• I hope we can get better options at LB and RB. Perhaps Karsdops (RB)?

 

Agreed, can we please shake up the fullbacks a bit? Time to give Karsdorp, Wijndal, Van Aanholt, Dest, or And Karsdorp, Wijndal and Van Aanholt please!

Bad news. Glad to see Malen but this will give Koeman an excuse to continue with Babel who will probably have an ok game against Belarus to give Koeman enough justification to keep playing him next time too. Even with Depay being out it should be Promes, Malen and Bergwijn.

 

Yep...the first choice front 3 should be Memphis, Malen and one of Promes or Bergwijn right now. Stengs, too, is more than deserving of a shot.

Dest isn't ready. Karsdorp and Dumfries are fine on the right but definitely I'd rather see one of Wijndal, Willems or van Aanholt as Blind just isn't suited to that position and he will get massively exposed against decent players.

 

So, Bela Rus are going to bunker.

 

Blind plays very good today. Compliments for the improvement.

 

De Ligt is lacking some confidence from the move to Juventus. The kid is only 19. He also made a huge block to save a goal. Mind you it came off the corner from his mistake. But no need to put him on the bench. Still one of the best young players in the world. Growing pains happen. Benching him in Oranje won't help.

 

Seriously, de Ligt is unrecognizable these days. What the hell happened to him during off-season? The talent doesn’t just disappear, but he needs a wake-up call. It’s obvious his confidence has taken a dent.

He’s not totally committed to making challenges and is going to ground way too easily. Van Dijk is a master at not going to ground unless absolutely necessary.

I hope he gets his shit together soon or there won’t be many excuses left to not field de Vrij ahead of him.

 

Promes was very poor in the first 30 minutes. Careless with the ball, poor control, just a liability. Then made the nice assist and started to gain confidence and impose himself on the game once it opened up a bit which was nice to see.

Bergwijn is a nice player. Has some skill but not a ton. Makes smart plays but always makes me want more cause I know it is there. I think he is lacking confidence in Oranje. Like he knows if he screws up he might lose his spot. He has chances to shoot and he passes up. Needs to realize he does belong and start being more selfish at times.

What a strike from Gini my goodness

 

Van Dijk cannot mark two players. The mistake is there is no pressure on the ball and Frenkie not tracking the runner.

It was 3 vs 2 in the center so not Virgil his mistake

 

Goodness. I’m sorry to all of the Luuk de Jong apologists but I just cringe whenever I see him warming up. Yes, he scored a lot for PSV, but for every goal he scored he missed a lot more. Not to mention many other strikers who scored a lot in the Eredivisie and went on to fail miserably in bigger, better leagues.

I mean, I would love for him to prove me wrong and he did score a goal against N. Ireland, albeit a very weird and somewhat lucky one. Huntelaar was 10 times the goal scorer he is.

His length is the only thing going his way if we are in need of a goal late in the game and need to adopt a crossing-into-the-box-and-hope-for-the-best strategy.

With that being said it would be typical for him to come in and score today sparking recency-bias.

 

Bergwijn so underwhelming. He does the same move every single time. Which explains why he hasn’t been able to get by his marker all night. Gets the ball, fakes going left only to cutback and try to pass the ball.

I don’t think tonight is a good game to judge these players. They all seem tired. Heck, even Virgil should have done better with their goal. Bergwijn, Promes, Malen, Blind, De Ligt... They’ve all been underwhelming. Veltman just plays the best he can, which is Ok at best.

 

Blind great on ball and passer when given time but he’s an absolute liability defensively weak, slow, and unathletic.
How any Manager opposing Ajax or Holland does not attack and pressure him, run at him, are completely lost in not doing so..