27 Oct 2025 16:17:00
Does anyone think that the Dutch style of play just isn't suited to the PL?
Just had a quick glance and I think that there have been about 10 Dutch managers before Slot
The highest win% was 54%
That was Ten Hag.
27 Oct 2025 16:33:11
It was suited last season.
27 Oct 2025 16:54:15
The answer is more nuanced than appropriating it to a national shortcoming/ style.
The Dutch league is of a low standard and can't be used as a benchmark for managers beyond Holland, yes, but that league and its clubs has also provided some of the greatest players to walk this earth.
A number of factors conspired to help us win the league last season, and i am of the opinion that Slot probably got a bit carried away without forseeing the (d) evolutiuon of tactics in the prem, and the need for more muscle / power.
{Ed001's Note - but it was clear last season that we constantly got outmuscled in midfield, it is not an evolution of tactics that is the problem, it is a lack of bite in midfield.}
27 Oct 2025 17:00:42
Is this Dutch Football tho?
It’s more like Dutch Oven ?.
27 Oct 2025 17:07:16
No offence meant, but what exactly is your point? Slot won the league, no other Dutchman has. Unless you mean that he won the league with klopp's team and klopp's playbook and not on his own merit, to which I would reply that this opinion, which for some incomprehensible reason continues to circulate here, is complete codswallop.
I'm also curious as to why our troubles right now are down to 'the Dutch style of play'.
27 Oct 2025 17:12:24
I think the PL is unique in many respects and it is difficult for managers who are schooled in a different country.
Exceptions : Wenger, Conte, Mourinho.
Even Pep and Klopp took many seasons to succeed in the premier league.
It’s also the highest paid league so it will attract the best players and therefore the best opponents.
You rarely get time in the premier league. Klopp had some pedigree as did Rafa so they got time, plus we weren’t in a successful period.
Pep got time because he had lots of pedigree.
Generally speaking, foreign managers don’t get time to adapt and adapting is harder.
It’s not unique to Holland.
27 Oct 2025 17:14:09
The Eredivisie is a Fodder League nowadays?
Ajax have four european cups the last win was last century 1995, feyernoord won it in 1970 ( half of the posters mums and dads on here were probably not even born then! I was 15 a Shankly Boy born and bRED) Holland/ Netherlands have never won a world cup, but have the record for most defeats in a WC final (3).
When Arne won it with feyernoord he finished second the season after, so has never done back to back title wins.
Oh the Irony? man cheaty getting beat by a "CASH" goal!
27 Oct 2025 17:49:30
It's not just the Dutch style. This has been going on since we won the league and is only getting worse the more games we play. If Slot is such a great tactical manager, why haven't our poor performances been addressed sooner.
What was the plan pre season? Because it seems to me we spent far to much money on our attack and forgot that we needed to shore up our defence too! . Personally, I fear Slot has lost some of the players.
27 Oct 2025 18:19:04
Ed, I think Slot's vision is more Pep of a few years ago, but that the Premiership has evolved since then.
Allowing Grav to get forward was a masterstroke only a few weeks ago, but now looks gung-ho.
Wirtz's guile replacing Dom's muscle and going 4-2-4 instead of having the solid 3, plus having two forwards that don't graft whilst loosing Nunez and Diaz has greatly affected the balance that we had,
A manager with supreme confidence in his own abilities and a depth of experience is required now, and If Slot is going to last he needs to stop complaining and find solutions.
Oh and Why keep Fede and Endo if they are not going to be trusted?
{Ed001's Note - we were 4-2-4 off the ball last season.}
27 Oct 2025 18:29:30
Slot has two options at this point, carry on with the tactical set that has seen us struggle in almost every game this season and lose four league games on the bounce, or be pragmatic and make sure we have numbers in midfield so we don’t get over run and our defence is protected.
If he carries on with things the way they are he will be heading for a p45. I like Slot, and I’d like to see him show that he has the minerals to change things. Think it is now clear we need more muscle and more physicality in midfield though.
27 Oct 2025 19:06:29
How many English managers have won the PL?
{Ed025's Note - none, but a couple of Scots have Rigsby including SAF 13 times and King Kenny once mate..
27 Oct 2025 19:34:06
It might not be long before Moyesy joins them, Ed025 ?.
{Ed025's Note - that may be a long time Rigsby, there is more chance of Slot getting manager of the month mate.. :)