went to the match and am just back in amsterdam at an internet cafe to post. earnie did indeed start and played up front in the center. at about 70" Breda made a change and Earnie moved out right. Very boring game. Gronigren brought very little, they played in a shell and only went for the single point. Breda played more offensively, but not well. They had few threats. Probably their best chance was Earnie at minute 78 on break from the right but went over the bar. will post again when i have a more sober account.
Ok here is a slightly less drunk account of the game. first off, the context was interesting because Gronigren is in last place and the media, fans and about everyone figured NAC would score a ton. second, last year there was a very ugly clash between Groningren and NAC fans that was violent and the police were slow to to contain. so needless to say it was a heavy atmosphere the stadium at Breda is really nice. it is fairly new and is a real nice complex. it holds around 17,000 and every time i have been there it is full. i hadn't been to a live dutch game since last year in Breda but it is startling when you watch it live how fast and technical the players are. the game was fairly direct through the middle of the field. Groningen made a play on goal in about minute 4 (drew wood) but other than that they didn't threaten much. it was difficult to tell Groningren's formation-it was sort of a blob that sat in the pack and packed it up. earnie played up front in a three man attack but the service was really a bunch of crap. floating high balls he had no chance on or ill considered passes that did match his runs.he made one brilliant run got one v. one with the keeper and they guy mishit the pass. he did win a couple of balls and distribute nicely. early in the second NAC subbed to some effect. a guy #17 (i think he came off the bench but maybe he just slept the first half--i was pretty focused on earnie) was big and tall and a true target guy went to the middle and earnie played out right. this improved NAC's service considerably. earnie pretty much used their left back and made some sweet crosses. one that i saw replayed later twice on dutch tv earnie sent a nice cross the guy trapped and turned in one motion (should be textbook viewing for young american forwards) and unleased a strike that just missed. late at about 78" earnie made a strong run from the far right to the middle, won a 50/50 ball and put a nice move on a guy but the shot was deflected. a pretty frustrating performance for NAC, they dominated but didn't get the job done in the box. btw--media reports and some interview earnie just did have him leaving NAC (financial difficulties for the club) at midyear when the transfer window opens.
I had a chance to watch Akzaar v Groningen last month on the tube. Groningen's defence was absolute crap and they lost 4-1. Their right back had apparently never learned the concept of man marking. If nothing else, I realized the MLS is better than the bottom of the Eredivisie! How the heck could Breda not win this one?
well Groningen really, really packed the box, i swear they played a 9-0-1 formation! but really it was crap passing by NAC. but, now let me give you the real reason--i attended the game!! i have been to 3 home NAC games and each one was 0-0!!