Ned - Arg: what to do?

Ideally, I want to have constant starting lineup but realistically there are some factors that I think we should not:

* Bookings - the one that Robben got yesterday (which I still think is not warranted), he can’t get another yellow against Argentina in a meaningless match game #3. Also for Mathijsen and Boulahrouz. How do one expect them to play to avoid 2nd yellow? Especially against Argentina when adrenaline is pumped up even before the match starts? I can’t imagine NOT having these guys for round #2. (As mentioned, I don’t think much of van Bommel, he can change his shorts as often as he wants)

* Stamina - I think Cocu shows his age this year, love his experience and intelligence but it’s probably a good time to give him a rest if we are to be honest and start to think about regeneration.

* Lineup shuffling - something is missing in the midfield and until MvB starts an experience to play new players, we’ll never know. It’s not different than when he “experimented” with RvP over Kuyt and look where RvP is now? Thing like the Italians “experimented” with Paolo Rossi in ‘82 and Toto Schilacci in ‘90 who changed the whole dynamics of the team.

I don’t think Landzaat is our answer in the middle but I also don’t think Cocu and van Bommel are either. I’d probably try a starting combo of - whom goose called dwarfts - vdV and Sneijder, both of whom have a lot to prove after injuries and for Sneijder especially his uninspired performance in the first 2 matches.

Third person may be Maduro or even put Gio in the middle? Someone brought up a concern about Gio at the full back position and he used to be a midfielder anyway. He may be a jerk sometimes but I can’t stop thinking about having Edgar Davids. A midfield lineup of vdV + Sneijder + Davids will probably the shortest total height in the tourney but looks perfect in term of 2 technical + 1 physical players.

I obviously don’t know the answer on which right combination is but (I think) I know that the current combination is NOT right.

Posted from  United States

Basten and his key players have to go into think-tank mode: watch the games of teams they’re likely to meet in the knockouts (Portugal, Mexico, England, Germany); repeatedly watch the good teams they may meet later (Italy, Spain, Argentina, Brazil).

The tank gives away nothing and doesn’t pander to the public’s desire for the final group game to be an awesome meeting of blah, blah, blah. The junior members of the squad use training to practice shapely possession (dribbles ending with passes) in their prep for Arg.

The team that wins the trophy will be the team that can play possession when necessary. Brazil can turn it on and off at will.

Posted from  United Kingdom

holland should do everything possible to avoid playing portugal in the second round and here is why… holland have played them 9 times won once lost 5 and drew 3… not a great record… the last time we beat them was in 1991 and they were our undoing at euro 2004 (what a poor showing by holland in that game) and were a big reason why we didn’t qualify for world cup 2002 (although there were other reasons as well) Mexico on the other hand is very overated and the dutch will handle them quite comfortably… holland has never lost to mexico and the recent friendly win against against them will surely help them going into the round of 16…

Posted from  Canada

I agree about Mexico, but we should be able to defeat Portugal. I saw them play yesterday and a smart tactician will be able to beat them. It was boring, predictable and slow. No worries. As for the midfield discussion… How about going back to 4-4-2? Dropping a striker for a midfielder?

Posted from  Australia

We should be able to beat both Mexico and Portugal. I saw Portugal today..Nothing we can’t handle. I am not impressed with them at all. Like Jan said, they are quite slow and predictable. And we do want a little revenge on them now do we. About Mexico..Didn’t we show them how it’s done with the training matches with a “B” team? Nah I’m way more afraid about the quarter finals. Wich could be Germany, England, Equador and probably Sweden? I think i’m looking too far ahead now..

Posted from  Netherlands

why play 4-4-2 if out midfield doesnt even have the right blend yet. Our attack is our strongest side, and our defence is improving, and compared to midfield, Better. We can beat any of the two teams, mexico or Portugal, with the right coaching. Never underestimate the team. I would like to see a change in midfield, rest robben as he has a yellow card, rest Van Nistelrooy and play kuijt instead. Experiment. The training will keep them fit and match ready, i do not doubt that at all. I just want Robben Van Persie and Van Nistelrooij to be match fit for the knock out rounds. Cheers

Posted from  Oman

Dag,
First, sorry for all the crap some of you’ve been reading in the Argentinean blog. Not all of us are like that bunch of arrogants.
Said this, I think the best is to give rest to the players. Is a short competition and you see injured players almost at every match. Is being said that pakerman will give rest to more than half of the squad. I think is the wisest to do.
I’m sure you can play better of what you’ve been doing, and you are definitively more than portugal. regarding mexico, their next match against portugal will give us an idea. ithey have very little ideas when they need to attack. but they are solid defensively.
from my side, I’m going to see the match with some dutch friends I have in brussels. we will be outnumbered, 5 dutch with 3 argentineans. but I don’t foresee major problems provided we bring enough beer. we already said that the loser side buys the pizza.

tot ziens