Big tactical discussions in Oranje…

Does anyone know when the official squad for Euro 2008 will be released, because I was thinking of pre-ordering the new away shirt with Sneijder-10 on it, but I don’t want to find out v. d. vaart is playing number 10 in Euro 2008.

Posted from  Canada

Interesting. I think van der Sar is right. Real Madrid is playing 4-3-3 sort of just more defensive. Dirk v.d. Berg: Mid May I think.

i like sneijders view.. never actually thought of the game this way.. but seems more open, less structured and divised, more total footbal mentality.
the defensive 5 are debatable, problematic, causing us all sort of pain and headache.. ill probably name a different 5 every day.
however, the 5 offensive stand out to me very clearly among the whole bunch. seedorf,sneijder,vdv,van persie and rvn, and no other should start in their place from now on till the end of the EC in 2008. let them blend together, get comfortable, and produce the goals. they are the stars we have at the moment, and so they should find a way to adapt, and make it happen.
im starting to realize theres very little left for VB to do, and a lot more for the ‘offensive 5′ to start doing. i also think sneijder should be at the center of our offensive play, if not our captain. hes young, and maybe a bit immature still, but a good leader on the pitch.

i think im running out of things to complain about VB. i dont know how many of you will agree or disagree on this, but i think hes starting to get things right.

… and concerning our back 5, i think whatever we try to come up with, we’re still gonna be left with the same fundamental problem.. lack of quality and skill; none a star, all mediocre, and as goose points out again and again, useless for the build-up.

And Van der Sar, well.. maybe Holland’s best goalie ever?

Tactics in any sport should be based, in my opinion, on the available talent of the team. If the team has several outstanding wingers, then 4-3-3 makes sense. If the team has strong forwards, but no talented wingers, then some other formation makes sense.
Particularly in football, formations are important but not critical, due to the fluid movement of the players. On this particular Netherlands national team, we bloggers have generally agreed that there are very gifted mid-fielders, some gifted forwards and many mediocre defenders. What might common sense suggest, then, for a formation to fit this team?
First, some of the mid-fielders must help defensively, to shore up the weaker back players. Other mid-fielders must support the forwards, and serve as transition players both offensively and defensively. On this particular team, the mid-fielders are the key. If they fail, then the team fails. The Oranje want to play attacking football, but can not do so at the expense of a vulnerable defense. Athletes such as van Persie and Sneijder can run the field, helping defensively while also moving forward in outside lanes to support the forwards. The central mid-fielders will need to get the ball forward, support the front line and serve to block any counter-attacks.
Are there players on this current team able to fill these roles? I believe that the 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 formation best fits the talent. Although the defense is supposedly weak, Holland allowed fewer goals than anyone else–why? I think is was because the mid-fielders supported the defense, very well. The lack of scoring, however, was perhaps based on the lack of forward support by these same mid-fielders. Physical conditioning will be critical for the Dutch, if they want to advance beyond the group stage. Their best line, the midfield, will need to be the best midfield line in the tournament–which, it seems, is not such an unreasonable goal.
I would be interested in the opinion of others on this matter.

Posted from  United States

new article about oranje and dutch soccer posted at soccernet.com:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=483469&root=europe&cc=5901&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Posted from  Canada

Jan–right on, as always. Football requires the dual requirements of form and flexibility.That is why, contrary to what is often described as a “simple sport”, football is the most challenging team sport we humans have yet invented. It is also important to always remember that it is just that–a sport, to be played and enjoyed but not to be taken too seriously.

Igor–thanks for the article referral. Such referrals are always appreciated, neighbor to my north.

Posted from  United States

Bob- no problem…i agree that football is much more complicated than most team sports and very challenging for players both positionally and tactically. i think that this is due to having so many players on the field having to work together in one continous flowing match, with few stoppages for re-organizing (as opposed to american football where every play is mapped out just before execution). this means that players constantly have to readjust depending on how their teamates are reacting to the play and on how space is opening up on the pitch (space that you either have to take advantage of or close down depending on whether you have posession) i guess rugby is similar to footall in that respect but i don’t know enough about it to compare. with other sports that have fewer players, like hockey, it is easy to look up and with one glance automatically agree with all of your teamates what everyone’s task should be at any given time, also it is easier to figure out your passing options since you rarely have more than two.

Posted from  Canada

think abt talented players and find best diffenders and best holding mids ratherthan system.
Poor castelen and afaleey wat i can i do
casteln can win the but kuyt?