Analyst tears into Afellay: “He still has to learn the trade”
1 min readLast weekend it became clear that assistant coach Ibrahim Afellay will already be stopping at PSV after half a season. Afellay was appointed last winter as the new assistant of Peter Bosz, when André Ooijer announced that he would be stepping down.
Where PSV icons Willy and Rene van de Kerkhof still had expressed support for the decision of the former PSV captain, Johan Derksen is less pleased with the decision that Afellay has made. Derksen says this on Vandaag Inside in Curaçao.
During the broadcast, the gentlemen of VI (and Tina Nijkamp) discussed the latest episode of NOS Studio Voetbal, after which De Snor doesn't hold back with his unvarnished opinion about Afellay. ''I'm glad we're now rid of that Afellay, with his semi-scientific analyses of shitty little matches. Peter Bosz gave him a chance at PSV, but now, after four months, he has stepped down because he couldn't be dominant enough. No, because he still has to learn the trade. There wasn't a club interested in him; Bosz gives him a chance, and now it was allegedly decided not to make use of his qualities'', said Derksen.
Before Afellay became assistant coach at PSV, the former midfielder was regularly an analyst at Studio Voetbal. This coming summer, the former international will also analyze the World Cup matches for NOS.
This leads to great annoyance for Derksen. ''Now he's an analyst again for the World Cup matches. Then we're stuck with that kid again. Besides, I also think it's quite a challenge to have Pierre van Hooijdonk to listen to for the whole evening,'' concludes the bearded analyst.
Comments16
Not gonna lie, if the article is right about the squad depth, that bench can be a game-changer 🔥. Bring on fresh legs and suddenly the tempo is 90 minutes of pressure, not 60.
Interesting read, but im not convinced the tactics fix our defensive balance. When the inside threat works, great, but we still need more structure in the box on set pieces. Still, the attacking patterns look promising, especially with the interchanges.
No idea how people are downplaying the defensive workrate. Against pressing teams, PSV cannot afford to lose their shape, especially in transition. Klopp-style counterpress would suit us, not waiting for the second ball.
Bro Luninho at right back (if he is the one they mean) feels a little risky defensively. Still, going forward he gives extra urgency, so imo it can work if the DM covers behind.
Xavi Simons has that calmness that makes everything look easier, but i think we should give him a bit more freedom between the lines. When he stays too wide, their buildup gets slower.
Im hoping the article is right about the game plan because PSV at their best feels like a wave. If the tempo stays high and we cut off their outlets, this could be a proper statement win. 🚀💯
"Aggressive" is nice but the real test is keeping the shape when we win it. I swear every time we go too high, the transition defense gets shaky and it turns into panic football. 🤡
I like the idea of switching the ball fast to drag the defense, but what about the transitions if it goes wrong? Too many times we look exposed after losing the inside pass 🤦♀️
Bro if that midfield keeps dropping too deep, the inside runners will be invisible. Push the line up and let the 8s run, that is where the goals come from 🔥⚽
"PSV Inside" saying the tactics are now more flexible is music to my ears, but i need to see it vs the better teams. If the fullbacks dont overlap consistently, it turns into sideways passing again...
That midfield looked so much better when they kept it simple. One touch and forward, no panic dribbles. 🔥⚽
Ngl, im not convinced by the defensive setup. If the full-backs dont pinch early, they will get exposed every time a winger cuts inside. That quote about being "aggressive" better translate into clear 1st-man runs.
"Inside" is nice in theory, but tbh our buildup gets shaky when the press arrives. I want to see a midfielder receive on the half-turn more often, not always side-on.
If PSV want to dominate games, the midfield has to press higher. tbh the article hints at it but i still worry we drop too deep when the ball goes left.
If PSV are really leaning on that Inside play to overload the half-spaces, im all for it. But we need the fullback to step in earlier, otherwise the winger just gets trapped.
If PSV really wants to control games with that high press, i need to see it start from the front. Stopping the first pass is where it lives, not chasing shadows after they turn.