The Clockwork Oranje Podcast

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.

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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

They may have won two of them, but it's hard not to be worried after the Netherlands' first games of 2021.
Frank de Boer's side followed up a 4-2 defeat to Turkey with a 2-0 win against Latvia and a 7-0 win over Gibraltar, and we start the latest episode of the Clockwork Oranje podcast off by analysing what went wrong and what right in the three games.
After that, we then take an in-depth look at the Dutch side, from the defence through to the attack, discussing which players impressed, which didn't, and how the starting is XI is shaping up ahead of the Euros.
De Boer has stated that he has settled on 90% of his squad for the tournament, which leaves some hope for players not in the current selection, such as Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo. Of them, who are most likely to be called up? We give our thoughts...
Finally, we wrap things up with a look ahead to the Euros, pondering if there are some reasons to be cheerful, or if we should all be a bit afraid of how things will go.

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 podcast episode of 2021 looks ahead to the Netherlands' first matches of the year.

Before they do so though, Finley Crebolder and Peter McVitie first share their thoughts on Frank de Boer's first five matches in charge and agree that, while they weren't perfect, there are reasons to be cheerful.

They then dive into their analysis of the squad for the matches against Turkey, Latvia and Gibraltar, starting with the goalkeepers. Maarten Stekelenburg is back, and that's a good thing. However, is it a concern that we have the same keepers now that we did in 2013?

After that, the pair then discuss the defenders that De Boer has chosen. Is De Ligt/Blind a good pairing? Should Kenny Tete start ahead of Denzel Dumfries? And how great is it that Owen Wijndal seems to have that LB spot nailed down?

Attention then turns to the midfield. Frenkie de Jong and Gini Wijnaldum are undisputed starters, but the third spot in the midfield is still a cause for concern. Davy Klaassen or Marten de Roon will probably play, but should Ryan Gravenberch get the nod?

In terms of the attacking options, it's a mixed bag. Finley and Peter both love a front three of Malen, Memphis and Berghuis, but just can't figure out why Ryan Babel and Luuk de Jong make the cut while Wout Weghorst sits at home.

Once the squad selection has been dissected, the episode ends with some predictions for how Oranje will get on in the new few weeks.

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

Frank de Boer is the new Oranje manager, but how did he get the job and will he be any good? All is discussed in the podcast's latest episode.
Finley Crebolder is once again joined by Dutch football journalist Peter McVitie, and the pair start off by looking back at Ronald Koeman's time in charge. It featured some great moments but, considering it ended before a major tournament, can it really be considered a success?
They then move on to analysing how the KNVB went about finding a replacement. They apparently approached Frank Rijkaard and Peter Bosz but, all things considered, it's hard to think that they ever wanted anyone other than De Boer, which is a concern in itself.
Finally, De Boer himself is discussed, with the main focus being on the period that ultimately got him the job - his time in charge of Ajax. His tactics, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses are all looked at in-depth.
Taking all of the above into account, Finley and Peter then give their overall thoughts on whether it's a good appointment or not and predict how far the Netherlands will get at the Euros next summer.

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 2012, the Netherlands had one of their best squads in years, with key players in form and at their peak. On paper, they looked set to win their first trophy in 22 years. Sadly, football isn't played on paper...

Finley Crebolder and Peter McVitie kick the episode off by discussing what shape the side was in pre-tournament and what their own expectations were for Oranje, before going through each match in-depth.

They then discuss the various factors that contributed to the team's meltdown and try to figure out how things went so downhill so quickly for Bert van Marwijk and this group of players. 

Once all is said and done about that campaign, they jump ahead to present day and look ahead to Euro 2021. Is the year delay a good thing for the Dutch? How far will they go? Will Koeman stay afterwards and if not, who will replace him?

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 Episode 2 of the Clockwork Oranje Podcast, Finley Crebolder tells the story of Euro 1988, a tournament that featured one of the best Dutch teams ever.

It also featured one of their best shirts, and Cult Kits join us to discuss it, them and all things football kits.

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 first episode of the Clockwork Oranje podcast, Finley Crebolder tells the story of how the Netherlands fared at Euro 2008.

He also speaks to Jeroen Janssen, one of the people behind Total Football Festival, about the festival itself and his personal memories of Euro 2008.

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