Topic: Virgil Van Dijk (Cpt)

[Garlicbread]

his goal rather dominant isnt it

https://streamff.com/v/CUFQ51

hope it kickstarts his imperious form

any idea how he played other than the goal?

He's looked good in these 2 games for Netherlands!

[Samie]

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1574146725572481026

Virgil van Dijk's game by numbers vs. Belgium:

100% duels won
62 touches
3 clearances
3 accurate long balls
3 ball recoveries
1 chance created
1 shot
1 goal

[red vinyl]

Long neck was impeded there I think Klassen blocked him coming for that, maybe we should be doing more of that.

[Clint Eastwood]

From 2-0 to 3-2 and he absolutely blew it for their third. Pathetic.

[HeartAndSoul]

From 2-0 to 3-2 and he absolutely blew it for their third. Pathetic.

What the actual fuck was that clearance

He’s been stinking that defence out as much as Trent and he’s getting away with it on a weekly basis

[Simplexity]

Think he has become a bit of an elephant in the room. Looks horrible.

[tubby]

Completely whiffed that attempted clearance and the defence looks a mess.  Need more leadership from him.

[AndyMuller]

Drop him for Konate.

[Snail]

He’s been one of our worst players this season and I cannot fucking believe I’m saying that.

[Clint Eastwood]

Drop him for Konate.

I don't think this is even that outrageous of a suggestion. Virgil has a lot of credit in the bank but given how Konate ended last season, and how Virgil has been, it has to be considered. If Gomez was putting in these performances he'd be getting slaughtered.

[Johnnyboy1973]

None of them can moan about being dropped including him; their shipping goals.

[harryc]

Virg, Trent and Fab, all three form has dropped off a cliff from last season.

[lgvkarlos]

Turning as slow as Maguire at the moment.

[lgvkarlos]

Virg, Trent and Fab, all three form has dropped off a cliff from last season.

👍

[Walshy nMe®]

Can’t believe how poor he has been this season.

Similar to Trent it feels like they believe they are so good they don’t need to put the effort in. I know his style is very relaxed but when it’s working it’s fine. When you’re playing this poor, looking lazy just looks, we’ll lazy.

[damomad]

If Konate was fit, I'd consider dropping Virgil for a few games. The attempt to stop the ball for their 3rd was scandalous.

[newterp]

He doesn't seem to want to over-exert himself.

[Chakan]

Looks like he’s playing not to be injured for the World Cup.

[newterp]

Looks like he’s playing not to be injured for the World Cup.

for sure. and while it's not "likely" true - he was gutted to miss the Euros. This is probably 1 of his last 2 major tournaments.

[skipper757]

He hasn't represented the Netherlands at any tournament I believe (a combination of the Dutch missing out for 2016 Euro and 2018 World Cup and him being injured for Euro 2020/21).  After the injury in 2020 and the exertions last year, I wouldn't be shocked if his focus is on the WC.  That's not an indictment on him but just human nature.

[Walshy nMe®]

Maybe the injury really has had a long term effect on him? Wouldn’t rule it out.

[CognacBut]

Looks like he’s playing not to be injured for the World Cup.

worst take.

[Samie]

Maybe the injury really has had a long term effect on him? Wouldn’t rule it out.

He was really good all last season though. That was post comeback as well.

[jillcwhomever]

Van Basten had a pop at Virgil for his games for his country recently, says he is involved very little in their build up play now. I haven't seen him play for the Netherlands recently, but there is something not quite right with him. Hopefully once Konate is back, he will get a rest and see if that makes a difference. 

[killer-heels]

He hasnt been great but he was getting loads of players running at him and around him.

[bornandbRED]

Looks bad but it can happen for the third… the second I’m not sure what he’s doing. Completely unaware of who’s around him/the threat of Trossard who was the only player anywhere near him. Could easily intercept the pass if he’s switched on.

[elsewhere]

He's not been the same player since his injury, sadly.

[El Lobo]

He’s not playing great….could really do without the amateur psychology on our players at the moment though

[Ma Vie en Rouge]

He's not been the same player since his injury, sadly.

He seemed pretty damn good most of last season?

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

yeah and we've got to defend as a team, have support for the centre backs. You can't base your planning on your centre backs winning every challenge, making contact on every clearance, you need a couple of your midfielders dropping back, tracking runs to provide that insurance. Ours start too high to make it back in time, and Fabinho looks shot to compound matters.

[MPowerYNWA]

He needs to be more of a leader again.

[Sat1]

Off form at the moment. Too many people making too much of it. Be back on it soon

[Fiasco]

Maybe the injury really has had a long term effect on him? Wouldn’t rule it out.

It has. It was bound to. You don't go through a major injury like that in the second half of your career and come back better, stronger, faster or more agile.

[newterp]

It has. It was bound to. You don't go through a major injury like that in the second half of your career and come back better, stronger, faster or more agile.

He looked pretty good last season.

[Fiasco]

He looked pretty good last season.

He did - and of course we were better as a unit last season - but you could see he wasn't the same as before (albeit you have to factor in it would have taken some time to get back up to speed anyway).

I have no problem with him falling off a touch and of course it probably looks worse because we're not performing very well, but I think it is fair to say he's not the same as before.

[Clint Eastwood]

Between 2018 and 2020 he was genuinely the best centre-back I’ve seen. He had everything, I don’t know what more you could have asked for then. Simply incredible. Last season he was world class and probably still the best CB in Europe, but less eye-catching. This season, he’s been terrible. I’m sure he’ll get back to being a great defender for us. I do wish his peak years lasted longer though, I’ve never enjoyed watching a centre-back play so much.

I don’t think it’s related to his injury though.

[hide5seek]

Off form at the moment. Too many people making too much of it. Be back on it soon

We seem to have a lot of off form players.

[StL-Dono]

Between 2018 and 2020 he was genuinely the best centre-back I’ve seen. He had everything, I don’t know what more you could have asked for then. Simply incredible. Last season he was world class and probably still the best CB in Europe, but less eye-catching. This season, he’s been terrible. I’m sure he’ll get back to being a great defender for us. I do wish his peak years lasted longer though, I’ve never enjoyed watching a centre-back play so much.

I don’t think it’s related to his injury though.

I agree with most of this.  For those three seasons it seemed VVD never put a wrong foot forward, never hit a ball wrong, never missed a challenge or tackle.  As formidable as I've seen a CB play. 

And last year, he was incredible, but with maybe some cracks showing.

However, I don't think he's been terrible this season.  He hasn't been great and it seems he's made more mistakes this season than in the last three or four combined.  Maybe he seems terrible in comparison to the level he set for himself in previous seasons?

That said, he (and all the back line) need to be better.  Alisson can't keep saving them time and time and time again can he?

[slaphead]

He didn't have too much to do tonight but him not having much to do is one of his biggest strengths. When Van Dijk is on form, he's vocal and aggressive. It's amazing how many attacks that stops before they even start. I used to absolutely adore watching him play, him moving a few yards to cut off a strikers planned run, or barking at one of the full backs to do it. There were signs of that tonight again, that's the big man who wins us big titles.

[Dougle]

Solid tonight, the defensive control was way way better, right from the front.