Pre-match: 2022 World Cup Oranje qualifying matches

Botman should really be drafted up - that makes sense, all things considered. The JO has CB surplus: Teze, Schuurs, Doekhi, Timber - and even Koopmeiners can fill in emergency.

Bazoer had some nice runs at CB this season... but he gets into sketchy disciplinary issues - off the pitch (conflict with coaching staff), and during match (red carded last weekend). Surely it cost him a consideration.

 

Wow... what does Weghorst have to do to be invited to the senior squad? He is now once again overlooked, whilst Luik De Jong is in. What the...!?!? #frankdeboerout

 

It’s actually disgusting, how FdB is going about his selections.

Weghorst must feel dejected. LdJ isn’t even a starter at Sevilla and has barely scored as it is. Weghorst is the complete opposite of that.

FdB has zero credibility at this point and the KNVB should withdraw their confidence in him. The selection-criteria he applies has to be brought into serious questioning before he makes an absolute embarrassment out of us at the Euros.

He has made very questionable selections in every single position on the field.

The worst thing is that he’s probably gonna get away with it based on the level of the opposition we are going to face now. Ffs.

 

I am detecting a theme that Oranje boss (not just FdB, but also his predecessors) prefer to call up same-old faces and maintains status quo, as opposed to sticking their necks out to include new players.... in the interest of continuity, familiarity, etc. I don't pay attention enough to other NT's and I am curious if this is a common approach.

On one hand I can slightly sympathize. Obviously the NT players don't practice together week in and week out, and only have a handful of days to prepare - so a coach wants players who are ready to execute the game plan.

OTOH - sometimes this gets out of hands, and is just plain ridiculous. Clearly this time is the case. You just don't ignore your sizzling hot players like Weghorst for the sake of continuity. Donny v.d. Beek and Bergwijn... they barely played for the clubs lately, and have not earned their places no matter how often they have featured for Oranje in past 2+ years (and many of you guys know I am high on both players. On their good days, that is). How do you begin to explain that?

If this "familiarity" to the system is truly the justification, then what's the reasoning for Tete over Hataboer? Evidently Hataboer has been around more in the NT than Tete has. This double-standard and inconsistencies only adds to the frustration. Crazy stuff... FdB clearly has lost the games before they even start.

 

I just found out that Ryan Babel isn’t even a regular starter at Galatasaray. Jesus. I don’t follow the Turkish league so I had no idea.

The more I look at his selections, the worse it gets. I should just stop looking.

It’s a good thing he’s getting openly criticized in the media by the public and pundits alike. He deserves every bit of it.

 

Good. Now let’s just hope he has the humbleness to accept constructive criticism and take it into consideration for the next time.

 

De Boer needs to explain each and every selection based on their merit. Most of these selections are completely wrong on sporting levels.

Not starting for your club and not producing is basic criteria for losing your place.

Frank is a twat and his employers at the KNVB are as well. Zero credibility.

 

Luuk De Jong over Weghorst is madness. Weghorst has been in tremendous form.
Please explain someone to what I’m missing?

 

Except of course when picking a defender whose team is in the relegation zone in that league. While the defender from the League 1 leader gets to go to JO. Not to mention the one from a solid mid-table (almost top 10) and EPL league revelation Leeds Utd outright gets overlooked smh.

 

Yes indeed it would be very interesting to see Leeds United play with better players.
Bielsa does it his way for sure and Kudos to him.
Makes zero sense for Stuijk who has been a revelation at Leeds to announce his intention to play for Oranje, and NOT get a call up especially considering the crisis in the back at the moment.

Does Frank watch any football at all?

 

What’s worse, he’s being courted by Belgium and it seems they backed off because Struijk apparently wants Oranje.

He can still change his mind if he keeps getting unfairly overlooked and I’d be extremely pissed at FdB if that happens because he might not only be ruining things currently but also for the future.

He really should just either wake the hell up or sod off already.

 

Very well said. This is always the confusing part when it comes to selection.

 

Did a bit digging on Turkey NT. Looks like have been pretty mediocre as of late (that means, they are going to be really good against Oranje )

A somewhat draw-specialist in 2020. Their records in all competitions were 1W 5D 2L last year... not good enough to prevent them from a relegation in the UEFA NL. But boy, they surely know how to score, especially at home. Managed to ship three against Serbia, three v. Russia, and another three v. Croatia in last three home matches. Oranje defense for sure will see a stern assault, such a pity that the best CD's Virgil and De Vrij are not available.

This match has a banana-skin written all over it, especially being the first game after such a long lay-off. This is on top of an Oranje uninspiring squad and an incompetent F. De Boer. And Oranje tends to be sluggish in an away match historically (e.g. held by Bosnia).

Not so warm and fuzzy about this match v. Turkey, and my expectations are very much tempered... sharing a point in a 1-1 or 2-2 draw would be a decent accomplishment. Maybe get a lucky bounce or two to tilt the favor. Best not to lose, and get them on the return match!!