Must admit this article has had a profound effect on me.
Given all the good things I've learnt through Dutch coaching methodology, I have not really critically evaluated what I haven't until this article and Dutch failure to qualify for the Euros.
Thankfully the FFA NC has addressed some of the shortcomings. The four different facets of technique appears to something that seems to have come form Germany.
Since I've watched recent Dutch games, ironically, when they've been successful it has been the defensive solidity of Ron Vlaar and Stefan De Vries as a CB pairing and Nigel De Jong's ball winning in midfield that has stood out. The notable exception has been Arne Robben's ball running.
In the Euros De Vries and Vlaar must have been injured. Holland didn't have the depth to cover them.
As Cruyff suggests it is true that Holland has relied on a compact defence with Robben 's ball carrying to launch quick counter attacks to create the best chances.
For the first time in a long time, after everybody else has looked to Holland for coaching expertise, now they need to look at Belgium and Germany. They drew heavily from Holland about 14 years ago to revamp their curriculum. They also need to look at Spain.
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