I am actually very positive right now….

Well said Jan. I keep thinking to myself…with a healthy and inform RvN, RvP and RvdV, that poses a HUGE nightmare for opposing defenses. I would love to see Davids back. I think he would provide a strong leadership quality and stability to the mid-feild as he did at Ajax this year. He should definetely be there before Landzaat. It is now time for Marco to really be consistent now with the back four. Maybe Melchiot-Heitenga-Boula-Gio. He needs to consistenly play them together over and over again so they get a good feel and cohesion with each other. Three of those back four can push up nicely – Mel, Heit and Gio. Should be fun!

Posted from  United States

Agree! Depending on the opponent, I think we could actually play with 3 real defenders. If the opponent plays with 2 strikers (some will play only with one) you can use just two markers in the back and one sweeper, sort of. JC always said that having one defender more than the opponent has attackers is a good balance. If you have one extra in the back, mistakes will be made. Like they think: o, my mate will pick up this player now… And then he doesn’t. So, in other words: Boulah and Heitinga could be the markers. Mathijsen could be the sweeper to pick up players/balls that sieve through. That makes 3 defenders. You could use 4 midfielders. Davids/Vaart left (with a parially defending task) and Schaars/Castelen on the right. Seedorf in the attacking midfielders’ role, Sneijder more the defensive one. RvN central striker, van Persie on the left, robben on the right. Something like that.

Posted from  Australia

Basten would have some problems with his human scale, but he prove his honesty and dedication on Orange. So personal misunderstandings has over.
surely we have loads of attacking minded palyers for both attack and mid-field, but hardly finding new Rijkaard, David or Cocu still.
Schaars and De Zeeuw could our best prospects. Just wish one of them well grown before 2008.
For the consistant defence I always miss the wc2006 qualifying party of Bronkorst,Mathijsen , Buola and KK having lanzaart infront.
I see Buola and Mathijsen are best in man marking duty. So with more all-round defenders like Bouma, Heitenga defensive pack could be more efective.

Posted from  Thailand

Jan, I think that in the last few days and months Marco van Basten had done some interesting and positive things but he still does not convince as the coach for Oranje.

Yesterday´s game he had the chance to try new systems but he never tries something different. I would have loved to see Holland play a different system or try new strategies but he continues playing the same way even in preparation games that are the ones that he should take advantage to use different tactics. For example, why didn´t he try a 4-4-2 system yesterday partnering two strikers up front???Why Slory on the pitch and Kuyt on the bench???. Just because he wants to play with wingers he has to sacrifice a real forward into the bench. I think Holland could have lined up like this: ( and be more dangerous)

1- Stekelenburg (goalie)
2- Melchiot (Right full back)
3- Heitinga ( Sweeper)
4- Mathijsen (Stopper)
5- van Bronckhorst(left full back)
6-De Zeeuw(central midfielder with the defensive tasks)
7- Castelen (right midfielder with deffensive and offensive tasks but with a focus on attack)
8-Sneijder(central midfielder with the offensive tasks)
9-Kuyt(central striker)
10-Huntelaar(central striker)
11-van der Vaart(left midfielder with deffensive and offensive tasks but with a focus on the attack)

I am not saying that yesterday line up was bad or stupid, simply what I am trying to say is that van Basten should use these games to test new things because we do not have many real wingers today but we do have many real strikers like Ruud, van Persie, Kuyt, Huntelaar and even Hesselink. So, if we have many central strikers we should be trying to use two of them at the same time, perhaps it may not result a positive thing but hey, if he doesn´t even test it he would never know. I imagine Ruud partnering upfront with van Persie as the shadow striker and not the right winger, but in van Basten´s system perhaps he would RVP as the right winger or if he gets crazy he may bench Ruud again and use RVP as the lone striker.

I have to recongnize that making Seedorf and now Ruud to the team give van Basten a big credit but I still don´t like him and think we can´t win with him Euro 08 because he has no consistency on the way he takes his decisions and at the big moment I feel he will call the wrong decisions again and his systems and strategies I think are way to soft for international level. If we play a team like Italy, Portugal, Germany or another powerhouse with the 4-3-3 system I think something incredible will have to happen to beat them because today´s game is not play under those strategies and tactics just if you have two demmons ad wingers. The last team I saw playing an efficient 4-3-3 system and winning cups was the Ajax of van Gaal but they had Overmars on the left wing and Finidi on the right and they beat every defender in the world to make their crosses and their shots whenver they wanted, they were nightmares for every defense in the world. Anyway, as Jan says, if van Basten has taken his pride away a little bit in recalling Seedorf and Ruud maybe he will do so in changing the team formations and tactical plans a little so lets see, I am seeing a more flexible and thoughful person and although he still does not convince we shall see it in the upcoming future because I will be supporting the Dutch National Team at the Euro 2008 with van Basten as the coach or any other. Hup Holland!

Posted from  Mexico

Anyway, how did De Zeeuw did and what can you guys tell me about Engelaar?. I could not watch the game here in México because the game was not broadcasted. I feel Melchiot is a a very strong guy who has to be considered as a real option for the right back position because Jaliens is not a bright defender. What can you tell about Kromkamp??? van Basten does not like him??? He had a great season with PSV.

Posted from  Mexico

Don’t know about Kromkamp. He was in the news last week. He was beaten up by two thugs after watching a football match. Broke his nose.

Engelaar, I’ll try… He came from Feyenoord’s youth system but didn’t have the patience (or quality) to stay. He left Feyenoord and went to NAC. He needed some seasons to grasb his position and started to score prolificly. He then left for Belgium. He returned to FC Twente last season where he was one of the driving forces on midfield. FC Twente finished fourth. Engelaar is a tall, strong midfielder, with a lot of power and forward action. He reminds me of Ballack. I actually expected him in Oranje earlier…

I think Kromkamp can be a bit lackluster. He can play good matches, and the next week lousy. Not always focussed… You don’t want that in a defender.

Posted from  Australia

dont want to mess up youre positive feeling Jan..but..

its been a while but i still havent forgot the dissmal play the last year or 2..

i remember a f#cked up WC,remember watching some games (Lux.) with tears in my eyes from shame and anger..
true; vanBasten has shown hes willing to learn from his mistakes but thats not enough…

im not saying its all vanBastens mistake if we dont win at the EC08 (it could also be for a lack of talent) but havent seen any growth at all in Oranje..

think Mario has a valid point on the system..agree that we will prob. get beaten by the big teams..its just the way it is…

btw: to finish in style: Engelaar is an arrogant wanker..he should not be in Oranje..far to slow/static..the only thing he has going is his size…limited player if you ask me..

grtz

Posted from  Netherlands

re Goose:

Did you read my earlier comment in the article where I gave my special “report”?

Posted from  Republic Of Korea

Guys:

A few days ago I was watching a game between Wolfburg and River Plate. At Wolfsburg as many of you do know plays Kevin Hofland. Hofland is still young and is the captain of Wolfsburg, does Marco know he still plays???. I remember this player as a big talent but I haven´t known a lot from him lately. What do you guys think about Hoflan?. Holland needs more quality in central defense, why not give Hofland a chance??? I´d be glad to read your thoughts

Hofland… I was a fan of him when hroke through. He played with Bommel at Fortuna (coached by van Marwijk). He went to PSV like Bommel and did very well. Made it to Oranje. Than injuries took their toll and he never got back to his old level. He also choked in big matches. So he sort of went to Germany to start anew. I do feel he has what it takes today. Good charisma, great header, good long ball… It’s a good point, Mario….

Posted from  Australia

@Bruce: you mean about the tickets for EC08….im looking my friend..wont be easy i can assure you that already…

btw: how was the media about the game..did you read any asian papers??

grtz

Posted from  Netherlands