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How Important is Robben?

August 28th, 2006 | By: Mike | 7 Comments »

Robben looks set to be out for both of our first two qualifiers against Luxembourg and Belarus.

I asked myself, “How much do the Dutch depend on Arjen Robben for his direct attacking play?”

The Dutch as a squad are always out to attack and score goals. I remember watching the first game and I couldn’t believe how much of the ball Robben got. It seemed like the plan was to win possession and give it to Arjen then try and make yourself a good position in the box. It worked to a certain degree but isn’t that a waste of our other players? It’s also a very shallow approach and can land you, like now, in the position of having to change the emphasis of your attack.

I can’t decide who will replace him in the front three. Dirk Kuyt’s debut for Liverpool was stellar. He definately didn’t play like that in Germany. I guess I just assume it would be Kuyt or else Babel since he is more of a winger. Both of our upcoming opponents are in the weaker category (although Belarus needs to have an eye kept on them) so that could lend a starting spot to Meerdink. Now isn’t really the time to be experimenting but you just never can tell with Marco.

Tags: Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt, Netherlands, Ryan Babel

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Comments

By Samuel Knight | August 28th, 2006 at 9:22 pm

You are right on. Fantastic player. Great highlight real. But…

Frequently holds the ball a bit too long, needs to dish to the open trailer or other forward faster. Or, sometimes, if he’s playing the winger just go to the corner and center it. He certainly didn’t do that with Van N in Germany.

He hasn’t hit the level where he modifies his play to enhance the positives of the players around him. And that’s where he can move from being a star - to being an MVP.

I think that’s what both Van Baasten and Moriohno will be working on.

Because on both Chelsea and Oranje there are lots of people who can take the final stroke - not nearly as many who can set it up.

Posted from United States

By Barnes | August 29th, 2006 at 5:42 am

The only person holding Robben back from being a superstar is himself I believe. He struggles from a few very correctable details at this point. The most obvious being his diving. BUt also the lack of team involvement. Come 2010 he will be one of the top five players in the world. Van Persie will be on the same level in my opinion.

Posted from Canada

By Mike | August 30th, 2006 at 1:46 am

Interesting. His diving has gotten better. I saw a bit of the first game he played for Chelsea. I remember specifically a challenge on him but he didn’t go to ground. I was so proud…

@Barnes, I agree with you about van Persie. He has amazing potential.

Posted from Canada

By dan | August 30th, 2006 at 3:50 pm

Exactly. And Arsene Wenger will turn him from a potential world-class player to a world star, an MVP as Samuel Knight calls it. I’m picking him to net around 15 or more goals for us this season already.

Posted from Singapore

By goose | August 30th, 2006 at 6:50 pm

agree with you all on vanPersie, i believe he could be our new Dennis Bergkamp in Oranje, on the number 10 position right behind Huntelaar, Robben on the left…. now all we have to do is to find a decent midfield… saw Schaars the other day playing for AZ, hes becoming an good player

greetz

Posted from Netherlands

By Mike | August 31st, 2006 at 1:23 am

Has anyone seen de Zeeuw play? I’ve never seen him. I know he scored over the weekend. Does he play a similar position as Sneijder or what?

Posted from Canada

By goose | August 31st, 2006 at 10:41 am

@Mike,

deZeeuw has more defensife qualities, hes strong for a young lad but he doenst have the forword quality that Sneijder has, saw hin play last week, played really well, hes the future of our midfield together with Schaars (sorry, im no Sneijder fan), youll see, AZ has almost all the best young dutch players, interesting to see how they will do in the leguea..

greetz

Posted from Netherlands

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