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Van Dijk


Roo1976

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http://www.nu.nl/voetbal/4139430/virgil-van-dijk-merkt-hij-snel-beter-wordt-bij-southampton.html

 

Rough translation of Virgil's quotes:

 

"In five games with Southampton I've learned more than in years before, so I'm certainly progressing as a football player. But the adjustment hasn't been easy. The pace of the game is much faster in England than it was in Scotland. The midfield sometimes seems like a pinball machine, that took some time to get used to. But it's going well, especially with the 3-1 victory at Chelsea in mind. I'm full of confidence. The timing for these international games is excellent for me. I want to take the form of Southampton with me to the national team. I don't know if my transfer to Southampton played a big part in my selection for the national team, but I am active at a higher level now, so people will watch me differently. In any case I'm happy I'm here and I'm going to try my very best to impress so I can get some actual time in the games. The games against Kazachstan and the Czech Republic will be tough. We have to win, but then still we depend on Turkey's results. It's too bad we can't decide it ourselves, but that's the way it is. We have to hope the Turks lose, because everyone at the Dutch team really wants to go to the EC. That's alo my big goal personally."

 

Having searched 'Virgil van Dijk' on twitter, I have learned that this statement has riled Celtic fans up.

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Killer didn't have VW or MS playing in front of him so a bit unfair to start that type of comparison.

 

It's my opinion. Most teams played differently back then. Killer was great for us and I rate him as our third best in my lifetime. I rate Lovren and Toby higher. Lots of posters were saying Lovren was the best we'd had on here but after being a **** then being **** for another team people are happy to re write history. Fact is that he was fantastic for us.

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It's my opinion. Most teams played differently back then. Killer was great for us and I rate him as our third best in my lifetime. I rate Lovren and Toby higher. Lots of posters were saying Lovren was the best we'd had on here but after being a **** then being **** for another team people are happy to re write history. Fact is that he was fantastic for us.

 

Not in any sense a fact. Lovren had one decent half-season before his form reverted to his career average. Toby ditto really before injuries disrupted the second half the season. Good players but you have to do it consistently to be a legend. In my view and its only mine Big Jim Steele was number one, Docker probably 2 and Claus, Jimmy Gabriel and Killer not far behind.

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the best we have had for 15 years...based on 4 whole games..

 

excellent

 

at least you gave Mane a few more games last season, before deciding he was a waste of money and the fee we had paid was a joke! (and notice you saying less than year later doubling our money would be disappointing) ;)

 

 

 

My view - Virgil will prove to be significantly better than Toby. I think Toby was very good - but maybe not at the level some on here build him up to. I think Lovren did some more impressive defending and was quicker. Toby looked classier. Admittedly some of Toby's worse appearances were at RB.

 

I was disappointed we didn't get Virgil last summer, think he had more potential than Toby. Toby impressed, think Virgil will impress more. Early impressions are that Virgil will be a stronger, more solid, bigger? defender, better dribbling and shooting - but maybe Toby more assured on the ball and passing. Early days though.

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No idea why people are talking about Richard Dryden, that ship has sailed and VVD deserves to be judged on his own abilities not being constantly compared to the likes of Dryden, Monkou etc. That will only add pressure he doesn't need.

 

Richard's comments in the press this week probably didn't help to quash any rumours or comparison talk though tbf.

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No idea why people are talking about Richard Dryden, that ship has sailed and VVD deserves to be judged on his own abilities not being constantly compared to the likes of Dryden, Monkou etc. That will only add pressure he doesn't need.

 

Richard's comments in the press this week probably didn't help to quash any rumours or comparison talk though tbf.

 

Look, we all know he's no Darren Powell, so what's the point in trying?

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Not in any sense a fact. Lovren had one decent half-season before his form reverted to his career average. Toby ditto really before injuries disrupted the second half the season. Good players but you have to do it consistently to be a legend. In my view and its only mine Big Jim Steele was number one, Docker probably 2 and Claus, Jimmy Gabriel and Killer not far behind.

 

I've not said once anywhere that either of them are legends and I would never do so. I just based my opinion on the players respective peak levels.

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Not in any sense a fact. Lovren had one decent half-season before his form reverted to his career average. Toby ditto really before injuries disrupted the second half the season. Good players but you have to do it consistently to be a legend. In my view and its only mine Big Jim Steele was number one, Docker probably 2 and Claus, Jimmy Gabriel and Killer not far behind.

 

He had more than a decent half season. He was brilliant for the most part but had a couple of iffy games towards the end. Obviously people want to talk differently about him now after the way he left.

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I think that it is more about pairings, than about individuals. Lovren and Fonte were superb together, but Lovren has struggled at Liverpool. Klaus and Killer were excellent. Klaus and Jacobsen was just embarrassing. It's early days, but it looks like van Dijk and Fonte could be as good as Klaus and Killer.

 

I am old enough to remember Jim Steele. My recollection was that on his day he was better than anyone - he certainly was in the Cup Final. But he wasn't always that consistent.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi guys. Another Celtic fan here, just posting to see how the big man is getting on.

 

I can obviously see that there's a few that are loving him, which is great news... We all held him in high regard, although knew he could improve in some areas.

 

Obviously we don't get to see all the Saints games but I (and most others) all wish you guys well. You have paid the money that we felt was what we deserved and didn't try to rip us off so thanks for that.

 

Good luck in the future :)

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Hi guys. Another Celtic fan here, just posting to see how the big man is getting on.

 

I can obviously see that there's a few that are loving him, which is great news... We all held him in high regard, although knew he could improve in some areas.

 

Obviously we don't get to see all the Saints games but I (and most others) all wish you guys well. You have paid the money that we felt was what we deserved and didn't try to rip us off so thanks for that.

 

Good luck in the future :)

 

He's doing very well. Typical class from Celtic supporters.

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He's doing very well. Typical class from Celtic supporters.

 

Glad to hear mate. Hopefully you guys will pick up our next decent player (possibly Bitton) but as it stands, unsure who it may be because no one we have would improve your great squad at present.

 

I seen his blip for Holland and although it's not like him, he hasn't really been the best in Europe for us. Obviously, his team mates weren't as good as they are now (club and country) but I still think you guys have a real gem of a player. I also seen that he scored for you guys, which I reckon can only improve his confidence.

 

I've never had an English team to support but since you have treated our club with so much respect, I always want you to do well and are the first team I normally look out for, results wise after us.

 

Mane is an excellent player from what I've seen and hope, if you can't keep a hold of him, he gets you guys a lot of money.

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Hoops, he's been excellent so far. Strolls through most of the game like he's playing kids football 4 years above his age group.

 

He's made a couple of positional mistakes but that's par for the course for a CB slotting in to a new defence. His passing is superb, he's strong, good in the air and is also providing us with a much bigger threat at attacking set pieces, scoring and coming close a few times.

 

So far he looks like a perfect signing.

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Wonder when the comparisons with Alderweireld will come about? Surprised they haven't already. Put it this way Hoops, most of us were disappointed not to have tied up Alderweireld when he bunked off to Spuds, but now, looking back on things I am not sure that many would be disappointed with Virgil in his place. The one thing that he does offer better than Toby was an attacking presence especially at corners. The similarity between them is the calm way that they approach things. However, when I watched the Netherlands Turkey game, the same calm approach was used, but it came across as being slightly lackadaisical - maybe that was compounded by being on the losing side.

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Hoops, he's been excellent so far. Strolls through most of the game like he's playing kids football 4 years above his age group.

 

He's made a couple of positional mistakes but that's par for the course for a CB slotting in to a new defence. His passing is superb, he's strong, good in the air and is also providing us with a much bigger threat at attacking set pieces, scoring and coming close a few times.

 

So far he looks like a perfect signing.

 

Brilliant to hear. Sounds like he's playing as well down there, as he did up here and as you say, he's still slotting in to a new defence, so who knows how good he'll turn out.

 

Thanks mate.

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if he is finding his feet in this league, then holy shyt.

 

He is a monster already and seems a real threat at set pieces.

if he was English, he would be worth £40m (going by the Stones potential deal)

 

Gutted to have missed out on Alderweireld but this lad is very good

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Wonder when the comparisons with Alderweireld will come about? Surprised they haven't already. Put it this way Hoops, most of us were disappointed not to have tied up Alderweireld when he bunked off to Spuds, but now, looking back on things I am not sure that many would be disappointed with Virgil in his place. The one thing that he does offer better than Toby was an attacking presence especially at corners. The similarity between them is the calm way that they approach things.

 

And many of us would not. Alderweireld was a class apart immediately when he arrived, I've never seen anyone with the ability to react and clear a loose ball in a crowded box as him. Van Dijk is decent, and offers more going forward and slightly more at set pieces, but is not even close to the positioning or anticipation Toby had defensively - yet.

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Not in any sense a fact. Lovren had one decent half-season before his form reverted to his career average. Toby ditto really before injuries disrupted the second half the season. Good players but you have to do it consistently to be a legend. In my view and its only mine Big Jim Steele was number one, Docker probably 2 and Claus, Jimmy Gabriel and Killer not far behind.

 

Village

Interesting comparison including Jimmy Steele, Docker Walker and Jimmy Gabriel (the latter I had the honour of playing with a couple of times and also watching him play in his prime as an Everton player)

I have a lot of time for all three players but, to be fair, Jimmy Steele and Docker didn't play too many games for Saints at the top level as far as I recollect (I should really check) and Jimmy Gabriel was past his best when he came to us (but still a good player) and often played in midfield

It is so difficult to make comparisons with different era's but one point I would make is the relative size of central defenders nowadays ie well over 6' whilst both Jim and Docker were around the 6' mark and Gabby around 5'10"

Interesting comparison on size when you consider that Tony Godfey our 'keeper in the 60's was only 5' 8"

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Jimmy Steele was 6 foot two

 

And he had eyes of blue

 

Apparently ;)

 

According to the Saints reference book , Jim Steele was 6', Docker Walker 5'11" and Jimmy Gabriel 5'10"

 

I think the 6' 2 Eyes of Blue was nicked off Man Utd who sang it to describe their centre half of the time Jim Holden, if I recollect correctly.

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  • 2 weeks later...

VVD has settled in very quickly and is turning in some quality performances. I would like to see him bring the ball out of defence more like he did for Celtic. It can be risky but if he chooses the right moments this could provide a great attacking option and help cause a bit of panic in opposition defences. Others can drop in to cover when they see him make a forward burst. He's so good on the ball that I think we are not utilising all his talents yet and would like to see him marauding forward particularly during home games.

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These articles relate to a few people who don't know any better being condemned by the majority who do. If you wished to make an alternative point, you did not. If you wished to point out that most Celtic fans seem ok, which is probably on par with most other people, then you have. As I don't know your intention I've included both to cover both eventualities.

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These articles relate to a few people who don't know any better being condemned by the majority who do. If you wished to make an alternative point, you did not. If you wished to point out that most Celtic fans seem ok, which is probably on par with most other people, then you have. As I don't know your intention I've included both to cover both eventualities.

 

Just need to watch videos on YouTube to see these types of songs being sung at their games. If the vast majority were opposed to it then it would have been stamped out. It hasn't been. Vile club. In fact the original poster has chosen the club with the least class in the whole of the UK.

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  • 4 months later...
Both VVD and Clasie are in the starting 11 tonight in the Netherlands' friendly against France in Amsterdam.

 

Thats good. I just read this on the BBC - seems utterly bizarre to me to stop a game because someone died, no matter who it was.

 

"The Netherlands' friendly against France will be stopped after 14 minutes for a minute's silence to remember Dutch great Johan Cruyff. Former Ajax and Barcelona star Cruyff, who famously wore the number 14 shirt, died of cancer aged 68 on Thursday.

The decision to halt Friday's friendly was announced by the Dutch football association (KNVB) following the death of their former captain and coach. Both the Dutch and French teams will wear black armbands in tribute. There will also be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the 34 victims of the Brussels bomb attacks in Belgium on Tuesday."

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Thats good. I just read this on the BBC - seems utterly bizarre to me to stop a game because someone died, no matter who it was.

 

"The Netherlands' friendly against France will be stopped after 14 minutes for a minute's silence to remember Dutch great Johan Cruyff. Former Ajax and Barcelona star Cruyff, who famously wore the number 14 shirt, died of cancer aged 68 on Thursday.

The decision to halt Friday's friendly was announced by the Dutch football association (KNVB) following the death of their former captain and coach. Both the Dutch and French teams will wear black armbands in tribute. There will also be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the 34 victims of the Brussels bomb attacks in Belgium on Tuesday."

 

What? they are doing a minutes silence during the game that's just weird.

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France have a quality side now and the potential to dominate world football for years to come - frighteningly good

 

I watched England beat France 2-0 in their last match. This is possibly the weakest Dutch team in their history. They even lost at home to the USA and in the Euro qualifiers they lost at home to Iceland and were thrashed by Turkey. So, I'd expect England to beat them too.

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