My point is that the Dutch national team's key strength is footballing intelligence. Even our worst player is half decent becauce our players were educated in a quality football system. The unfortunate thing about that, ironically, is that even a bad Dutch side can look good in qualifying or friendlies, again simply because the worst Dutch player typically is better than the opponent's worst player. When push comes to shove though, it's real quality that counts. This Dutch generation doesn't have enough of that. And Blind is just one example.
Robben should have done better when he broke down the line. He had Kuyt wide open and had just to deliver a nice cross and it would have been a goal for sure. Instead he drives a shot low and wide of the goal with no opportunity for the opposite side winger to get it.
I think Clasie's handling speed might indeed be higher than Maher That was also the reason why I started to like him so much.
I didn't notice Clasie much until my friends told me he was subbed off during half time. Maher was everywhere and unlike Clasie I can see Maher wanting to join our ranks, afterall he's.. A'dam "Amsterdam" Maher. England and Holland have messed up a lot of people's bets today.
There is a degree of truth in this post. The second the Italians pushed, we got cut. I feel this game puts sand in our eyes.
Although Robben probably didn't even see Kuijt, I would understand every player that chooses not to pass to Kuijt in any situation. Not called up.
Even so, there is no point in singling out Blind since we have got no Barça quality player on any position. And it sure as hell isn't an argument in favor of playing park the bus football, or selecting only destructive physical anti-football style players as "neeskens" would like Oranje to. After all, we lost every game against quality opposition that mattered playing that way under Bert.
Nah he wasn't on form much during this season prior to his injury as well. Daley, BMI and van Aanholt have catched up with him. Willems is very good going forward, but he somewhat lacks defensive qualities, just like van Rhijn and Janmaat on the other side. Daley was very solid today.
Clasie controlled midfield like a boss and was the reason we dominated the first half for such a long time. De Guzman let Montelivo have 100 touches on ball and eventually Italy scored. I have only seen Maher missing chances in front of goal first half. Almost as bad as Ola.
But it was really on the last 15 minutes that things started going downhill. Some missed chances and then they lost dominance in the midfield. Strootman was also at fault on the goal, letting Veratti blow right past him.
Also agree. Blind was pretty good. Both is just true. We should play true football like today at times and we look better than we are.
Exactly. Feeling proud of Van Gaal fielding 9 eredivisie players is one thing, but surely we all know what their weaknesses are. Mind you tonight they didn't look anywhere near as bad as I thought they would, even given that Italy weren't trying,
Do you also feel more proud with this football, rather then bunkering? You told you feel nothing for this team. Is this football having a positive effect to turn that around?
Oii you're biased though, you had Clasie as your avatar for months. I prefer the "Eredivisie talent of the year 2011/2012" and soon to be "Eredivisie talent of the year 2012/2013".
I've no idea what you're even talking about here. And I agree that we don't have better options for left back even. I'm not really sure how this would change my opinion on Blind though. Rating him as the best Dutch option doesn't make him a player of international quality. Ola John has loads of potential. He's two-footed, strong, has pace and technical ability, yet he's just a kid. We don't know how he'll develop. I think it's fair to say that he has more star potential than Blind though.
People show a clip of Maher where he misses a simple chance and then conclude how involved he is. This is Afellay all over again. The images point one way, but the media have decided that we must think Maher played so well. I always get annoyed by that. Kuyt now played a bad game as he missed a big change. Double standards.
He said, but Maher was exceptional That pass to Kuyt.. Best moment of the game, next to El Shaarawy pwning Ola John.