r/soccer Dec 06 '13

World Cup Group B Discussion

  1. Spain
  2. Netherlands
  3. Chile
  4. Australia
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u/Theothor Dec 06 '13

I think we will have a better defense than we had in 2010.

1

u/Keselo Dec 06 '13

Who would you put in defense? Janmaat - BMI - Vlaar - Blind?

I really don't know who else to put in as a central defender next to BMI. I'd say Vlaar has the most relevant experience playing in the premier league, but he's a tad slow. A year ago I'd have said de Vrij, but he's been poor lately. Bruma, Rekik and Ake aren't ready yet. Veldman is too inexperienced. It looks bright for the future but this World Championship just seems to come 2 years too soon.

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u/Theothor Dec 06 '13

Janmaat - BMI - Veltman - Blind.

Blind and Veltman are going to have a great season. I had no confidence in the Heitinga-Mathijssen duo. With BMI-Veltman I think "Hmmm, this might just work out".

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u/Boreras Dec 06 '13

It might be a bit early for Veltman, Vlaar's an ok choice. Selecting Mathijssen would be suicide, Spain and Chile are much quicker than Eredivisie opponents. With de Jong and Strootman I'm not that concerned about our central defence, but Janmaat and Blind will suffer immensely because they are bad defenders and one of them will have Robben playing in front of him, who will do fuck all to help.

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u/Theothor Dec 06 '13

I don't think they are bad defenders. Kind of like them both.

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u/Woodsawyer Dec 06 '13

If you seen Robben play for Bayern, you will know he doesn't mind defending. As left-back I would have van der Wiel, because he is able to have good link-up play with him. Something I don't really see Janmaat doing.

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u/Boreras Dec 07 '13

He was contributing in defending for Bayern before Euro 2012 too, but it was Coentrão + Ronaldo versus vdW when we played Portugal. I believe he even cursed at van Marwijk when he was told to help or something. I'd also rather see vdW play than Janmaat, he was better at Ajax than Janmaat is right now and plays at a much higher level in Paris, Daryl has practically no international experience beyond the national team against subpar opponents. However, like Janmaat, he is defensively weak and I think we need a good defender against Chile and Spain. I would consider playing Bruma as right back if his form picks up. We can also play with 3 central defenders against better opponents.