Actually, Blind played as DM at Ajax more than he played LB (23 matches) in his last season at Ajax, which was before he had played there for the national team.. I would not be surprised to see him as DM, disappointed but not surprised.
This would be 0 football since Promes and Afellay would barely cross and Luuk will be alone and useless upfront. It's the same poor attacking schema PSV uses, and it's also what we've seen so many times with NT recently, with Promes-Afellay-Narsingh-Lens...on the wings and Huntelaar upfront. We already know what to expect. Blind and Sneijder constantly spreading the ball to the wingers, that would fail to make a difference. Wijnaldum with a little influence and problems of positionning. Luuk alone and unable to create anything with his feet... This 4-3-3 with a slow striker upfront doesn't work for Holland, only Robben managed to make differences everytime. I'm only ok for a 4-3-3 with Janssen since he is more mobile than Luuk and Huntelaar and offers more possibilities. Luuk-Promes upfront in a 5-3-2 would be different, always wanted to see a quick player next to Luuk and his pivote work.
yowza, the options out wide are shocking. really wish Locadia & El Ghazi were involved. That said, hopefully Bazoer & Janssen do well here.
Blind got his first nod at DM vs Mexico. He was playing mostly LB for Man United during that time. I still remember he failed miserably at DM in that game but again it was assumed by daddy it could work out since he had played there at Ajax.
You had said he played just 'a few' matches as a DM at Ajax. But I think 23 is more than a few. Regardless, I think he had played DM in a friendly v Equador prior to the WC. And also he had played the first 2 months at Man Utd as DM, so by that shitty Mexico match you bring up (agree with you on that one!) he had played there lots. This 'assumed by daddy' spin seems like a bit of a stretch to me. Anyways - I don't want to see him play DM either!
Blind so slow and so unathletic. That said he is automatic starter. Future Captain too. It's an absolute disgrace.
The game against France might be cancelled after the terrorist attacks in Belgium... Those terrorists are really helping the dutch NT not falling too down in the FIFA ranking
I think we will struggle in both matches, maybe sneak a point from England, I hope I'm wrong! I don't mind seeing a 532, it will allow a lot more passing in the midfield, short passing, any team can just bomb it long and wide and this is what will happen in a 433 with this group, except for the back passing. I'm not sure how I would line the players up, but if Affelay is playing then I'm having him in a central position, simply promoting ball movement ( exactly what he has been doing so well for Stoke). I'm not a fan of players playing out of position, so Blind is out for me. Maybe this: Veltman Bruma Virgil Willems VanAnholt Clasie Affellay Wijnaldum Prommes. Janssen
I'd like to see almost one squad for France game and another squad for England game. France game Vermeer Veltman Van Dijk Bruma Blind Willems Klaassen Bazoer Sneijder Promes Janssen England game Zoet Karsdorp Van Dijk Letschert Van Aanholt Wijnaldum Clasie Afellay Promes Janssen Memphis L de Jong can come in for Janssen the last 20 minutes each game. I bench Narsingh and Huntelaar as I would not call them in the first place.
i don't want to play around with the defense, we should have a similar defensive line-up against 2 tough teams. Otherwise no point in changes & we learn nothing - France - Karsdorp - Van Dijk - Bruma - Blind - Willems Sneijder Wijnaldum Bazoer Huntelaar Depay England - Karsdorp - Van Dijk - Blind - Willems Clasie Afellay Wijnaldum Promes De Jong Depay
Blind has stated his son Daley will now be seen as a central defender for the national team... Not left back or central midfield. Expected Netherlands XI (according to De Telegraaf): Cillessen, Veltman, Bruma, Van Dijk, Blind, Willems; Clasie, Klaassen, Sneijder; Promes, De Jong
Why play a CB in a 5 man Defense @ RWB - Just because he played that position @ Ajax? I would rather play Narsingh there than Veltman - We play in a system without wingers in the 5-3-2 & then playing a CB there will kill the team. Blind is an incredibly dumb coach!
Narsingh has fallen so fast in terms of his ability that I'm surprised he was even called up. The only player to fall faster is Maher. Veltman is a Lichtsteiner type player and will do just fine.
I am not sure about Veltman honestly - He is not fast enough, he is not a wingback - he is a ball playing CB - I don't think he fits that role at all but I think we will understand after the 2 matches - Maybe you're right! Obviously Narsingh has fallen which is why I didn't recommend him starting any of the games, he shouldn't be here but then shows shallow the talent pool is.
^^Lichtsteiner is a traditional RB who's not terribly fast but he does decently as a wingback when Juve play 3-5-2. Anyway, Veltman is an in between player at best. He not physically imposing the way most central defenders are but he has an excellent sense of position. had Tete not been injured Veltman would have never played a minute at RB. He's a good club player but I don't think he's ever going to be a consistent starter for the NT.
Netherlands XI v France Cillessen, Veltman, Willems, Blind, Bruma, Van Dijk, Clasie, Sneijder, Klaassen, De Jong, Promes Netherlands bench: Zoet, Vermeer, Van Aanholt, Letschert, Karsdorp, Bazoer, Afellay, Wijnaldum, Narsingh, Huntelaar, Janssen, Memphis