What have you been watching? Holland have played counter attacking since day one. He knlws he doesn't have a great team.
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What have you been watching? Holland have played counter attacking since day one. He knlws he doesn't have a great team.
I'm more than surprised that it's hardly been mentioned that the offensive approach between the first and the second half for the Dutch was entirely different.
As far as I could observe, Mexico had the better of the first half, ran more, won the midfield more, but Holland preserved and contained Mexico and switched approaches a quarter into the second half. It can't be coincidental that Holland just happened to find their legs.
The heat would have dictated this kind of conservative to offensive transition later in the game. Almost the entirety of the second half resulted in either more possession or tempo for Holland. In my mind it was simply a case of intentional tactical approach based on :-
1. Heat
2. Mexico fatigue
3. Physical dominance later in the game
As far as I could observe, Mexico had the better of the first half, ran more, won the midfield more, but Holland preserved and contained Mexico and switched approaches a quarter into the second half. It can't be coincidental that Holland just happened to find their legs.
The heat would have dictated this kind of conservative to offensive transition later in the game. Almost the entirety of the second half resulted in either more possession or tempo for Holland. In my mind it was simply a case of intentional tactical approach based on :-
1. Heat
2. Mexico fatigue
3. Physical dominance later in the game
No no, let the Caf jerk
Oh boy was that true. Remember Fabio coming on when we were on top, and then getting sent off about 5mins in.
I did chuckle when people blamed Fabio's vigour on his mismanagement by Moyes. That was the time you knew any sympathy for Moyesie had gone.
The fact he originally told VP he wouldn't even be the starting striker showed he makes the big calls ages back.
But then he was impressed by VP's attitude, showing he's not too big to change his mind either.
Well good managers try to prepare for the fact that they might go down a goal.
Went straight to Hernandez after the match and hugged him
There pictures of this? Lots of chat Chicharito has handed in a transfer request. Seems odd that Van Gaal would try to comfort him if he was planning move him on.
But thats the point here, we are just impressed that after having to deal with a manager like Moyes who would give excuses left right and center, we have a manager who will stand up and make the big decisions without caring what anyone else has to say.
Side story remember when Moyes said getting transfers in was hard because he only joined in July? Well LvG has been in a different country, coaching another team and it has still been a better transfer window! God that guy was such a joke, its amazing we didnt sack him sooner
Cheers mate,will keep an eye out for those pics..
People saying LVG was lucky but like I said in the Moyes reign you make your own luck. He is a winner and made tactical changes as well as bold substitutions to change the game. I think they were the dominant team in the second half and the midfield really did miss De Jong IMO. People need to get this idea of luck out of their heads. It's the bollocks Moyes spouted. The reality is in big games the result is the only thing that matters and the difference between a win and a loss can be minimal
Had this game been played in a cooler climate, Holland would have came out with guns blazing and would have probably had the game secured earlier. It was obvious from the start that they didn't want to get tired early(heat). They weren't going to start "playing" till the 2nd half. Unfortunately, Mexico scored 1st and made it very difficult for them. The final minutes were incredible, I was beginning to think they would never get one passed Ochoa. Good game defensively by Mexico.
It's bollocks, strated from a guy who's always wumming on twitter just to get one of them fan United accounts to pick up on it.
They've been poor in the first half of most games anyway to be fair.
Player management by Louie van Gaal.
That is true. It just seemed to me like the heat was really bothering them in this game.
As you would expect the detail in preparation in LVG is much more. I am not surprised that they prepared keeping in mind the scenario of last 10/15 mins. Good managers do that.
Yeah they sure did love him!
He's got the Fergie time down to a tee 
I'm becoming more optimistic about this season now. At first, after the disappointment of finishing 7th, I would have been pretty much 'happy', not just content with finishing 4th. However, this guy really is the type of manager who will go full throttle and fight until the death, he is going to try and win this Premier League from the beginning no matter what the previous season brought.
I'm becoming more optimistic about this season now. At first, after the disappointment of finishing 7th, I would have been pretty much 'happy', not just content with finishing 4th. However, this guy really is the type of manager who will go full throttle and fight until the death, he is going to try and win this Premier League from the beginning no matter what the previous season brought.
Holland are mentally the strongest team in the competition. Coming back from behind to score two goals in the last few minutes of the game in almost unplayable conditions that suited the opposition is a remarkable feat. Van Gaal takes alot of the credit, he has been the best manager in the competiton, so good that he's in for a shout for player of the tournement even though he isn't a player. You could litrally sense in his presense on the pitch when Holland work their magic.
Van Gaal is such a presence that either his team is winning or losing, you know that he is responsible for that.
The heat did seem to bother them but you have to give mexico credit. Especially in the first 60 mins. the Mexicans looked like the better team and had the more skillful players. Robben of course was a class above all else.
What I admire most about the Dutch is their never give up attitude and their togetherness. They genuinely appear to be very much a family.
LVG is really showing some of Fergie's best traits. Subbing your captain and best forward while trailing was gutsy and proved correct.
His players obviously have great respect for him and buy into his system.
What I admire most about the Dutch is their never give up attitude and their togetherness. They genuinely appear to be very much a family.
LVG is really showing some of Fergie's best traits. Subbing your captain and best forward while trailing was gutsy and proved correct.
His players obviously have great respect for him and buy into his system.
I guess this is enough to shut up any doubters he had (which really, he wouldn't have if people really knew about him before). He's always been a top, top manager, and one who is never afraid to sub anyone off.
It's great how he's most likely going to get this very weak Netherlands squad to the semi's, and potentially even win the whole thing. Next round v Costa Rica or Greece, and then after that it will probably be Belgium or Argentina. Shows the difference a top manager can make, and a shit one. United with a top manager=winning the title, United with an idiot in charge=7th place.
It's great how he's most likely going to get this very weak Netherlands squad to the semi's, and potentially even win the whole thing. Next round v Costa Rica or Greece, and then after that it will probably be Belgium or Argentina. Shows the difference a top manager can make, and a shit one. United with a top manager=winning the title, United with an idiot in charge=7th place.
What a boss.
Van Gaal has brought me more joy and more belief in a few weeks than Moyes did in a year at United. He's the opposite in every way. A hilarious smug grin, a jammy twat and devilishly clever. Cant wait to get this season started. I'm getting more and more confident this bloke will actually get the best out of Smalling, Jones, Cleverly and Kagawa. He could turn the fortunes of some of our players around. We've got a base for a great squad with him in charge. A wonderful man. And he hasn't even dropped his trousers yet. I imagine he'll do that if they get to the final.
Not afraid to sub his captain,respect to LVG.
I wanted Mourinho last year because I felt we needed a big character after Fergie, someone who wouldn't doubt himself, who'll believe he's the man for the job. Van Gaal is the same type. He's not afraid, he doesn't think it's too much for him, and if he wants to do something - he'll do it. Whether he's a success or not, who knows, that's football for you. But this time we have a man with the right qualities.
Subbing RvP was a genius move. What a manager
Today was a big day for the future of United. van Gaal showed that he had the bollocks to take off one of the world's best strikers, someone another manager would've felt untouchable, and it brought a result. And while van Persie was probably upset at coming off, it was done by a manager he works well with, so at the end of the day, he likely respects that decision.
And where would our club be without a manager who leads us from 1-0 down to win in the final three minutes? Come on United! 
And where would our club be without a manager who leads us from 1-0 down to win in the final three minutes? Come on United!
The sub was a bold but intelligent move. RvP had all but disappeared from the game, I hadn't noticed him do anything for a good 15 mins. The squad was screaming out for another outlet as robben was tiring but another amazing display from him. Great stuff Louis
Remember 'the man whose name we shall not speak' didn't have the balls to sub RVP because he thought we would all be displeased?Today was a big day for the future of United. van Gaal showed that he had the bollocks to take off one of the world's best strikers, someone another manager would've felt untouchable, and it brought a result. And while van Persie was probably upset at coming off, it was done by a manager he works well with, so at the end of the day, he likely respects that decision.
And where would our club be without a manager who leads us from 1-0 down to win in the final three minutes? Come on United!
Every day that goes by the decision to appoint David Moyes becomes more and more baffling. Was Fergie really that short sighted?
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