The Clockwork Oranje Podcast

We’re now four games into Ronald Koeman’s second spell as Netherlands manager, and things aren’t going too well, with the side just losing 4-2 to Croatia and 3-2 to Italy on home turf.

Kevin from Oranje Canada joins us for the latest episode, which we begin by going through those matches, giving our thoughts on what exactly went wrong and what went right, if anything.

We then have more specific discussions about players that impressed us across the two games, players that didn’t, and the new system - similar to Manchester City’s - that Koeman introduced, which we don’t think suits the squad too well.

Some of the biggest questions surrounding Oranje right now include who should start in goal, whether Virgil van Dijk should be replaced by Sven Botman, and why Koeman is struggling when he did so well in his first spell; we talk about all of that before looking ahead to the next matches and debating whether anything but two wins is enough for the manager to keep his job.

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

The 2022 World Cup is just days away, and the Clockwork Oranje preview of it is here.

Prior to recording, we asked all of you to send in any questions you had about Oranje ahead of the tournament, and the preview is based around our answers to those questions.

Who should start in goal? How big a part will Xavi Simons play? How far can the Netherlands ultimately get? We give our opinion on all of that and much more.

We also rue the fact that the tournament is being held in a country that treats LGBTQ people so abhorrently, and if you feel the same, you can support those people at the link below: 

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/stand-lgbtq-people-qatar-proud-stadium

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

The story of the Netherlands' 2010 World Cup was one of delight, devastation and division, and we relived it all in the latest episode of the podcast...

In the first of a few episodes looking back at select World Cups ahead of this year's in Qatar, we kick things off by looking at the squad the Dutch were taking to South Africa and what the pre-tournament expectations were for the side.

We then go through the month that followed chronologically, discussing the events of each match as well as what our states of mind were at the times. 

Particular attention is of course paid to the glorious victory over Brazil and the heartbreaking defeat against Spain, with this being the first time ever that both of us have discussed the final in-depth.

After doing so, we move on to considering the legacy of the team. It's the joint-most successful Dutch World Cup side ever and yet is not that highly rated or loved by many - why is that and is it fair?

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

A lot has happened in the world of Oranje so far in 2022, and we take a look at all of it in the first podcast episode of the year.

Well, it's actually just me - Finley - rather than we this time around, and I kick things by giving my thoughts on the first matches of the year against Denmark and Germany and the 3-4-1-2 system that we used for the first time in them.

Specifically, I pick out what I see as the main pros and cons of the formation and suggest ways in which Louis van Gaal can address such cons going forward, not that he needs my advice...

After that, I then turn my attention to the World Cup draw, sharing my opinion of the group we have been given which contains Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador; as you can probably guess, I'm pretty happy with it.

Van Gaal will be leaving after said World Cup, and it has been confirmed that Ronald Koeman will return to replace him. I finish off the episode by looking at that decision before picking out players I'd like to see given a chance in the next international break and paying tribute to our current Bondscoach following news of his cancer diagnosis.

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

The Netherlands are back in the World Cup, and we discuss how they got there, how they look and how good it feels in the latest podcast.

The last episode was recorded before Louis van Gaal had taken charge of a match, so we start this one by giving our views on how he had been doing prior to the last two games of qualifying.

We then turn our attention to them, discussing what went wrong, what went right, the sickening nerves we felt before qualification was secured and the joy and relief we felt afterwards.

After that, the state of the team is discussed, with it being agreed that the midfield is the big problem to solve going forward and Steven Bergwijn and Memphis Depay were the bright sparks this time around.

Finally, we talk about the importance of not turning a blind eye to the problematic issues regarding next year's tournament being held in Qatar, even if you're going to watch it.

While we'll do our best to raise awareness about such issues, we're going to. After eight years away by the time it starts, we wouldn't miss it for the world.

Oranje are back, and it feels oh so good.

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

Louis van Gaal is the Netherlands manager once again, and we discuss his appointment in the latest episode of the podcast.

First things first, we take a look back at his last spell as the Oranje boss from 2012 to 2014 in which he led the team to third place at the World Cup. Just how good a job did he do that back then? And how does that squad compare to the current one?

Based on what he did in that job and the many others he has had, we also discuss what we can expect from him this time around, from the use of young players to potential tactics he'll implement. Will he stick with the 5-3-2 setup? Or is a return to 4-3-3 on the cards. 

Van Gaal isn't the only new man in the camp, with Henk Fraser and Danny Blind coming aboard as the new assistants, and their appointments are also looked at, with conversations about whether the former could take the top job after the World Cup and whether concerns over the latter given his failed stint in that very job are valid.

Finally, we look ahead to the crucial World Cup qualifiers coming up and sum up our overall thoughts on Oranje's new coaching team.

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

The Netherlands' Euro 2020 campaign is over. Frank de Boer's time in charge is over. Yeah, it's fair to say that we have a lot to discuss...

The only place to start is with the match that caused the above things to happen, a 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic. 

Going down to 10 men was the final nail in the coffin, but even before that, the team looked really, really poor. After a successful group stage, what exactly went wrong?

After discussing that, we then talk about how much responsibility the players themselves need to take for the defeat and just how concerned we should be about the squad going forward given the lack of passion and leadership on display. 

One thing is certain; they're all going to have a new boss following the resignation of De Boer, and the rest of the episode focuses on his departure and who should replace him. 

Why exactly was he such a poor manager? Will Louis van Gaal now return? Is a longer-term option the way to go? Should the KNVB look for foreign candidates? We do our best to answer all of that and more.

Twitter: @ClockworkOranje

Website: clockworkoranje.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

Three matches into Euro 2020, things are going pretty perfectly for the Netherlands, with three wins out of three. But just how good have they really been?

To start off with, we take a look at each of the three matches individually, assessing the performances and picking out the strengths and weaknesses of the team in them.

When it comes to weaknesses, the biggest one is undoubtedly how vulnerable we have been to counter-attacks. That's in large part due to a lack of defensive protection from the midfield, and with Marten de Roon and Ryan Gravenberch both failing to do that job well, just how do we fix things? Hint: it rhymes with wind.

In attack, things have been much better; in fact, we think it may well just be the best football the Dutch have played at a major tournament since Euro 2008. That being said, there are still question marks. Specifically, regarding who should partner Memphis Depay.

Wout Weghorst scored against Ukraine, works hard off the ball and his physicality offers us a lot, but Donyell Malen was excellent against Austria and North Macedonia, getting two assists and looking a real threat. Who should get the nod? That depends on the opposition, in our eyes. 

We then pick out the Oranje players that have stood out to us at this tournament before taking a look ahead to the next round and debating whether we could beat Portugal, our most likely next opponents.

Twitter: @ClockworkOranje

Website: clockworkoranje.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

In the latest podcast episode, we preview the first major tournament in seven years that the Netherlands will be a part of, Euro 2020.

First things first, We pick up from where we left off in the last episode, giving our thoughts on the squad that Frank de Boer ultimately opted to take to the Euros.

We then analyse the warm-up matches that took place against Scotland and Georgia, picking out the good and the bad things to take from the games and the 5-3-2 formation that was used in them.

Marten de Roon and Owen Wijndal fell into the latter category, and we talk through their issues and discuss potential alternatives to them, such as Ryan Gravenberch and Daley Blind.

Central defence and the forward line are both stronger areas for the team, but who will start there isn't yet clear either. Jurrien Timber or Nathan Ake? Donyell Malen or Wout Weghorst? We take our picks...

After some final thoughts on the system that De Boer seems set on using, we then put our necks on the line and make predictions, both about the first match against Ukraine and the tournament as a whole.

You can follow Clockwork Oranje on Twitter and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com

The first Netherlands squad to play at a major tournament since 2014 is set to be announced, and we've predicted who will be in it.

We - Finley Crebolder and Peter McVitie - kick things off by looking at the side's goalkeeping options, and are in agreement about who the three to be included will be.

In the defence meanwhile, a huge amount depends on injury recoveries. Will Virgil van Dijk and Daley Blind make the squad, and if not, who will take their spots instead?

There are fewer question marks over the midfield positions, with six players all but guaranteed to make the cut. However, with the squad size being increased from 23 to 26, De Boer is likely to include a seventh, and Kevin Strootman and Teun Koopmeiners seem the most likely candidates.

Further forward, once again there are a number of players who will definitely be going to the Euros. With Wout Weghorst in excellent form, Cody Gakpo looking exciting and Arjen Robben fit and healthy again though, the bondscoach has some big decisions to make.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.clockworkoranje.com