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It’s crowded behind Van Nistelrooy

June 5th, 2008 | By: Jan | 28 Comments »

Oranje has six candidates for the position behind the striker. What are the pros and cons of the players who are queuing behind Van Nistelrooy?

Rafael van der Vaart
+ The best goal scorer of the six. When he started as a youngster at Ajax it was clear he had the feeling for the right position. He has the most goals behind his name, after Van Nistelrooy: 12 in 55 matches. But, the last really important one he scored was 2,5 years ago. He scored the 1-0 against the Czech Republic and helped Oranje qualify for the WC 2006.

- Van der Vaart isn’t really fast. In the warm up against Denmark he had a free run towards the Danish goal but was taken over by an opponent. Robben for instance, had no problems outrunning an opponent against Wales and score. Van der Vaart scores most from close up in the box or from set pieces. An important factor whenever Oranje needs to defend a lead and Van Basten considers replacing an offensive midfielder.

Wesley Sneijder
+ Sneijder’s unique asset is his perfect two-leggedness. It doesn’t matter for Wesley whether he kicks left or right and no one in the squad can simulate that. When the team needs a swift solution, Sneijder is the go to man. Quick feet and a quick brain. A typical situation in the Wales game: a loose ball from a corner kick came to Sneijder, who connected with his right and then shot on goal with his left, under pressure by two opponents. The ball just went over the goal.

- His effectiveness needs to improve. He had the ball 98 times against Wales, but lost it 38 times. Sneijder plays explosive and dominant, but sometimes he tries too hard. Sneijder’s achilles heel is his defensive discipline. Sneijder says he learned a lot at Madrid in terms of positional defending. Raul and the Madrid socios keep him sharp. “If you fail to do it twice, the fans will boo you,” he said. Which Oranje player will keep Sneijder sharp and aware in the Dutch team?

Robin van Persie
+ The most versatile player of the six, when judged on technique, speed, explosivity, versatility, length, power and vision. He can play on all positions on midfield and as a striker. Van Persie is able to create his own chances in every circumstance. It makes him independent of the form of the team or the way the match develops. This is a truly unique quality in modern football.

- Vsm Persie calls his weakness “overenthusiasm”. With his athletic body, Van Persie shouldn’t be injured that much. But he is. He apparently hasn’t learned to listen to his own body too well and Van Persie sometimes wants to do too much.

Arjen Robben
+ Rpbben’s biggest assets are his penetration and dribble skills. Most players in Oranje move towards the ball, Robben wants space. It’s a quality Oranje desperately needs. Van Basten has intensively kept an eye out for Robben and has also watched Otman Bakkal at PSV for this reason. With Babel gone, there is no other striker or midfielder with this quality. Every opponent will sacrifice two defenders if Robben plays.

-Robben seems to have put his physical problems behind him. His weakest spot is his talent. Also his strong point of course. He can make opponents crazy, but sometimes makes his team mates mad as hell too with his dribbles and egotistical play. That “all or nothing” aspect belongs with Robben. If he could improve that, he could grow out to the best player of the world.

Ibrahim Affelay
+ His big asset is his ability to take on opponents. A beautiful skill, the fastest way to create a “man-more” situation. With the spaces on the pitch getting smaller and smaller, players like Afellay are rare and sought after. A team without these types will have to play exceptional positioning play or count on a set piece specialist. At PSV, Afellay won matches with his “snake-man” actions.

- For an offensive midfielder, Afellay should score more. He scored two goals in 24 matches for PSV. Not enough. He always claims his trough pass allows others to score, and that is true, but still he should score 12 goals per season.

Dirk Kuyt
+ Dirk’s real strength is his mental power. He re-invents himself whenever the going gets tough. He moved from the striker’s position at Liverpool to the right channel. He has the lungs to control the channel and come into the box to score important goals. His working ethics and positive attitude are unparalleled. He is also a strong header and will always step up to the plate if the team is in dire straits.

- Kuyt has functional technique but misses the exceptional skills of Van der Vaart or Van Persie. If the space is limited, he is unmasked as a mediocre player. Sometimes, his abundant energy is his biggest enemy. He misses the sharpness in the box to score, then. Kuyt also lacks real speed.

Tags: Euro 2008, Robben, van der Sar, van Nistelrooy, van Persie

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 28 comments.

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By hawe | June 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am

a bit out of topic, Jan, but i think Ruud-Huntelaar could teamed up together – better than Ruud-Kluivert sometimes ago. especially because Ruud’s style of play in Real currently, sometimes he play deep to seek the ball, dribble, and pass. as Bergkamp did to Kluivert, perhaps Ruud could feed Huntelaar well.

Posted from Indonesia

By Martijn | June 5th, 2008 at 8:03 am

I would love sneijder behind van nistelrooy, but he just injured himself on the training, maybe a bit to enthousiastic? I dont know who should play being van nistelrooy, because each and everyone of the player you named jan, bring something extra. It depends how the opposission plays. If sneijder cant play the first match, i would ptobably put van der vaart behind nistelrooy, kuyt on the right against italy, not van persie because he always needs some time to get some match rythem, and kuyt is everywhere on the field, he defends, plays great midfield, and attacks. we need someone like him against italy, and ofcourse robben on the left. If van persie however does play, i would put him behind nistelrooy instead of van der vaart. And i do so hope van basten play boulahrouz against italy, as a right back, heitinga and ooijer center, and bouma or de cler as a left back. gio and engelaar as defendin midfielders.

so.

—————van der sar————
Boula—-Ooijer—Heitinga—Bouma
–Engelaar—Gio–
Kuyt—–sneijder——-robben
–Nistelrooy–

Posted from Netherlands

By Rob | June 5th, 2008 at 8:19 am

Ok, here’s what I think. Van der Vaart will start behind Van Nistelrooy against Italy, but I’m not happy about it. You rightly point out his lack of pace, Jan, but for me it’s more than that. He just doesn’t seem prepared to commit, to come in and support Van Nistelrooy. Subsequently, in the last two friendlies, Ruud looked isolated. The only guy in the box when Robben had crosses on. Van der Vaart needs to be right up there. Don’t get me wrong – he’s a great passer and very skillful, but a lot of players in Oranje are – he needs to commit himself further forward or he’s a no go.

Now Sneijder, great little player, but can’t play on the right. We saw this in both friendlies, he just doesn’t offer anything out wide at all. Sadly, no-one does on the right, except Robben when he switches there. This is why Van Persie must start on the right flank and swap with Robben. Persie is probably the best crosser of the ball in the Oranje team, and has pace and skill. This leaves Sneijder behind Ruud. Can he play there? I think so – he showed for Madrid this season that he can burst into the box and score goals from close range. I think he’s the best option here.

Affelay I know little about, but I see him as an option to bring on. Kuyt I don’t rate as a starter, but he may be the big impact man now. Bringing him on certainly makes the team more attack minded and his boundless running could be a big asset as games open up in the closing stages. I still think he’s one for the bench though, as he won’t unlock a fresh defence.

So it’s Robben left, Sneijder middle, Van Persie right for me. No doubts.

Posted from Japan

By martijn | June 5th, 2008 at 8:46 am

Thats my best line up rating aswell for the dutch team rob, but im not to sure about van persie starting, i hope he does, but if he cant i would definately put kuyt there, he showed to be a great aspect for the team against wales and denmark when he came on.

Posted from Netherlands

By Ovi | June 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am

Hmm i think Snejider & Van Der Vaart should plays behind Ruud;P And between Roud should plays Robben & Van Persie/Kuyt

Posted from Poland

By alaa | June 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am

did sneijder get injured? i saw something on a dutch website, but i don’t understand dutch, so please keep us updated!!!!!

Posted from United States

By goose | June 5th, 2008 at 10:21 am

@alaa; Sneijder is fine, he will resume training this evening

Posted from Netherlands

By goose | June 5th, 2008 at 10:22 am

@alaa; Sneijder is fine, he will resume training tonight

Posted from Netherlands

By Bruce | June 5th, 2008 at 10:26 am

Hey alaa,

Sniejder did pick up a small ankle injury but he will be fine and fit for the Italy game. Phew…

By Bruce | June 5th, 2008 at 10:27 am

oops, looks like goose already answered your question.

By Caleb | June 5th, 2008 at 10:28 am

Looks like Van Persie is back training with the group now:

http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=706106.html#van+persie+seeks+justify+special+status

Posted from Canada

By alaa | June 5th, 2008 at 10:32 am

thanks goose and bruce, man when i saw his picture on the pitch i panicked because i didn’t understand what was going on. now i can go to work happy:)

Posted from United States

By richard | June 5th, 2008 at 10:37 am

Van Persie said yesterday that he can’t go 90 minutes, which is not surprising. Given his fitness issues, and the fact that he hasn’t played recent friendlies with the team, I would have him on the bench to start and bring him on later. I hope he’s close to fit because he’s the best all-around attacker on the team, as Jan noted. Robben certainly is dangerous but dribbles a lot. Sneider certainly must play in the middle–a no-brainer. I think we’ll see a lot of Kuyt and why not–he’s so very active and getting better. I hope we see more van persie than van der vaart as the tourney moves along…

Posted from United States

By Matt C. | June 5th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

No one’s really said it yet, but – while I think Robben is good and all – he’s a diver. No one with his ball skill should be doing that and it stinks. While I hope he starts every game, I hope his bad habits are a thing of the past.

I’m all for Huntelaar being on the pitch, though in reality he’ll probably only sub.

By frenchnetherlandsfan | June 5th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

i agree with martijn.
kuyt must start. you won’t win against italy france or even romania with offensive midfielders unable to win a ball, to physically move the defense.
according to me vaart adds nothing to the the starting line up.
but we’ve already talked too much about that … and kuyt probably won’t start against italians, and i’m not optimistic about our chances.
let’s talk again after that.

Posted from France

By goose | June 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

yes, Kuijt has to start..we need some sort of balance, we cant have only ballerina’s in the team

@Matt; you havent been long on this blog i guess…think we all agree that Robben has behaved like a whining little girl in the past(we have had quit some posts on him), i have always hated him for that..but lately it looks like his behaviour has improved, lets hope it a long term development

here (again) a link to the dutch televion EC site..lots of vids on every training, new vids every day

http://ek2008.nos.nl/video/index

grtz

Posted from Netherlands

By Matt C. | June 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Goose – you’re right, I’ve only discovered this blog in the last 5 or so days. I suppose I feel abandoned without a Bergkamp on the team – he being an idol of mine. As a result, I tend to be hard on those who show clear promise but who also get caught red-handed doing the exact sort of thing they don’t *need* to do to succeed.

Thanks for the link!

By Rob | June 5th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Bergkamp himself was not unknown to catch people with the occasional elbow or stamp – usually it was tits like Lee Bowyer who deserved it, but still…

Posted from Japan

By Carlos | June 6th, 2008 at 1:06 am

Great Blog Guys – Just luv the chats/ideas/views of everyone.
In the end we have to leave it to marco to decide the line up.
I would start virtually with the same team in the last 2 warm ups as I thought both Ooier and v Bronckhurst moved up the flanks really well.
I would change Mathijsen with either Bouma or Boula and put de Jong i/o de Zeeuw not that dZ has done much wrong.
vPersie in with 30 min to go, Kuyt with 20 min.
Can someone explain why Engelaar is never in a heading position either in Attack or defence – he wouldnt even have to jump to reach above most players ?

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | June 6th, 2008 at 1:37 am

Good question Carlos… I don’t even know if he’s a decent header… You’d expect so, I guess, with his length…

Posted from Australia

By Warouw | June 6th, 2008 at 3:28 am

Agree with Hawe, Huntelaar should play as starter with Ruud. In Euro’04 & WC’06 we just play 1 striker (Ruud) with 2 winger plus support from atacking midfielder & see what happen, the team is not productive. If Ruud is in mark, we have another bomber: Huntelaar. Remind me in’92 we have Van Basten & Bergkamp ,in ‘98 & ‘00: Bergkamp & Kluivert. So now is Van Nistelrooy & Huntelaar time.

Sneijder is not good in right wing (we saw this in Madrid), he’s more effective in left side with free role. So in right wing is Robben post. I choose Sneijder & Robben than Van Der Vaart because Sneijder is more balance both in defense or offense. Robben pure winger too support the striker from the wing side.

Engelaar Van Bronchorst
or De Zeeuw
Robben Sneijder
Huntelaar Nistelrooy

with Van Persie as super sub

By finnster01 | June 6th, 2008 at 3:58 am

I have a problem with the powder blue shirts. Just makes players like Robben look even more like a girl scout.

And what happened to the logo and the BIG intimidating Dutch lion of the past and not something that looks like a “stop smoking” patch? These shirts makes Holland look like St Mary’s Prep School. I don’t see Neeskens, Seedorf, or Rijkaard rushing to the store buying those anytime soon (although Robben probably sleeps in his).

Oranje should play in….well Oranje. It is not like they will be facing too many teams in Orange, is it?

Posted from United States

By Peter vdL | June 6th, 2008 at 5:59 am

holland should always play in Orange yes… but the colors don’t really matter too much. It’s about Nike selling both an orange and a blue shirt to fans. both for 70 euros. grrrr

Posted from Germany

By finnster01 | June 6th, 2008 at 6:52 am

@Peter Vdl, your point is very valid. As a bit of a side point, in Norway, they just launched the new kits for WC2010 qualifiers. Well, it also launched Logo-gate…Norway has always played with the flag on the chest as the logo. Because nobody, including Nike, can’t copyright the flag some genious in our version of KNVB decided to hire a marketing firm to come up with a new emblem that could be copyrighted, hence enable them to enforce lawsuits against pirate shirt producers, make it difficult to copy, and get more royalties from shirt sales.

What happened was they came up with a lovely Viking style dragon piece, only to have the nation and players to go bonkers because they took the flag away. Now they had to retract and have to go back to the drawing board.

All because of money…It has taken the innocense away from the beautiful game we all love, and I am not pleased about it.

Posted from United States

By richard | June 6th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Peter has got it right: This is about selling shirts–you put out different colors/and designs, given teams three different shirts or four or whatever–and diehard fans buy more shirts! Don’t buy the blue shirts–which do not look good. Nascar does this to: the race teams come up with two or three different paint schemes during the year–different from the normal one–and the diehard collectors of little diecast cars feel compelled to go out and buy cars with the new design. Clever.

Posted from United States

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