Dutch footballers are technically excellent but woefully daft at times.
Take Johan Cruyff for instance. Holland's No.14 was without doubt one of the finest footballers of all time. Yet during the 1974 World Cup he spent so much time squabbling with his team-mates about sponsorship issues - the Puma-backed genius wore two stripes on his shirt sleeves while he team-mates fulfilled their adidas obligations by wearing three - that the whole team flopped in the final against West Germany. And then, when at his peak, he made himself unavailable for the 1978 World Cup because, well, he couldn't really be bothered.
In 1996 Edgar Davids was sent home from the European Championships in England for suggesting that coach Gus Hiddink's head was stuck somewhere rather dark and unpleasant.
And, since then we've had racial tensions between players, a succession of shoot-out miseries and a tendency to choke at crucial moments.
And now Ryan Babel has topped that. The Liverpool forward missed a training session and pre-match nosh up before the Euro 2008 qualifiers because, according to coach Marco van Basten, he had 'overslept'.
All of which is nothing new to Albion fans and their own experience of a sleepy Dutchman back in 1999.
Thinking that the Easter Monday game against Crewe would be an evening kick-off, the legendary Fabian De Freitas spent the afternoon having a pleasant kip while frantic Albion officials struggled to contact him. His girlfriend, showing loyalty to her partner beyond the call of duty, rather unhelpfully ignored the phone calls.
Meanwhile, over at the Hawthorns, Denis Smith's Albion side, sans De Freitas, were busy getting battered 5-1.
Sherjill MacDonald and Shelton Martis - your cards are marked...
Comments (37)
How could they oversleep with the prospect of watching Mowbray's Brazilian football from the bench?!
Posted by Johan Cruyff's left boot | October 16, 2007 2:47 PM
Posted on October 16, 2007 14:47
Any excuse to try and compare Barcalbion with Holland ..... I ask you!
Posted by Wedon'tdotackling | October 16, 2007 9:17 PM
Posted on October 16, 2007 21:17
To be honest if I supported one of our other clubs I'd be jealous of Albion.
After all what have blues fans got to look forward to - relegation. Villa are stuck in 1982 and Dingles... well they're just dingles.
Viva la Albion, viva la Mowbray
Posted by black country bob | October 17, 2007 8:38 AM
Posted on October 17, 2007 08:38
Well said Wedon'tdotackling
These No Trophies and Vile, Dingle fans all live in our shadow. The footy we have played this season is like Holland 1974. Well said Chris Lepkowski as well a fully fledged member of the clap clap crew
Posted by Boingsaclapper | October 17, 2007 3:39 PM
Posted on October 17, 2007 15:39
I encounterd problems reading your site with google chrome, you have to update your site
Posted by videos chattes | December 24, 2009 12:00 PM
Posted on December 24, 2009 12:00
Hey thanks for posting this, found it to be a interesting read after finding it on Bing searching for similar topics and i shall pass the link on to severa friends.
Posted by Andrea Baygents | February 13, 2010 11:13 PM
Posted on February 13, 2010 23:13
Cheers for the info, your site is cool! I have been falling behind staying updated with video games this past few months but this absolutely made me want to get into them!
Posted by Frederic Ericsson | March 10, 2010 3:18 AM
Posted on March 10, 2010 03:18
Thanks for the article, your website is great! I have been having trouble keeping up with video games this past year but this really made me want to get into them!
Posted by Cheri Buntjer | March 10, 2010 5:33 AM
Posted on March 10, 2010 05:33
I've heard that placing advertisements on a person's website earns them revenue. In other words money for the owner. Is this true for you and every other site that display advertisements?
Posted by Dangel | March 17, 2010 6:42 AM
Posted on March 17, 2010 06:42
Great post!
Posted by air-trekker | May 18, 2010 11:39 AM
Posted on May 18, 2010 11:39
Got any experience git? I've been using subversion for a while now but I keep hearing how git is superior.
Posted by Angie | June 14, 2010 11:33 PM
Posted on June 14, 2010 23:33
Very well written article you have here. As one blogger to another one, I recognize how hard and how much time it requires to write up something great. You have my respect.
Posted by Morgan Freetage | June 26, 2010 2:45 AM
Posted on June 26, 2010 02:45
Extremely article you have here. As one blogger to another, I recognize how tough and how much energy it takes to conjure up something tangible and good. You have my respect.
Posted by Ralph Gasner | June 26, 2010 2:59 AM
Posted on June 26, 2010 02:59
Very well written piece you got here. As a blogger to another one, I know how challenging and how much energy it requires to write up something great. regard.
Posted by Malik Schlaffer | June 26, 2010 10:10 AM
Posted on June 26, 2010 10:10
Date Hello, I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this. Are you aware of any other websites on this subject
Posted by sell a business florida | July 11, 2010 11:50 AM
Posted on July 11, 2010 11:50
Good post, thanks
Posted by emergency kit | July 14, 2010 5:35 PM
Posted on July 14, 2010 17:35
Great post!
Posted by smith & wesson knives | July 26, 2010 8:08 AM
Posted on July 26, 2010 08:08
YES! Great piece, keep up the terrific work. This is the type of information that should gain recognition for it's craft. More writers should learn from you. This is right on the money.
Posted by Walker Shigeta | July 30, 2010 1:17 AM
Posted on July 30, 2010 01:17
It’s not easy to save these relationships, and dishonest is one thing that can generally occur more than once. However if you can actually rebuild your trust in the other person, then you'll be able to stay together and be happy.
Posted by get back with your ex | July 31, 2010 6:02 PM
Posted on July 31, 2010 18:02
World of difference man...world of difference.
Posted by Stephen the Snake | August 6, 2010 8:28 AM
Posted on August 6, 2010 08:28
Hope this finds you doing better. ;-)
Posted by Harriet the Hoe | August 6, 2010 9:47 AM
Posted on August 6, 2010 09:47
hihihi! I really like your post on Dozy Dutchmen (Birmingham Mail). My name is Am thuc, can we exchange links?
Posted by Am thuc | August 9, 2010 5:48 PM
Posted on August 9, 2010 17:48
hihihi! I really like your post on Dozy Dutchmen (Birmingham Mail). My name is Am thuc, can we exchange links?
Posted by Am thuc | August 9, 2010 6:04 PM
Posted on August 9, 2010 18:04
Good post, thanks
Posted by choosing optics | August 11, 2010 6:46 AM
Posted on August 11, 2010 06:46
Call of Duty 4 is a great FPS with a good graphics engine that will run well on a 7600GT or ATi 1800 GTO with a good single core processor or a mid dual core processor. The single player experience is great, it has a great story and short cinematics that will really help to get you in the story although the combat and objectives gets repetitive.
Posted by Eli Ivy | August 14, 2010 2:24 AM
Posted on August 14, 2010 02:24
Have you ever thought about putting ads in your RSS feed? It seems like you get a good amount of traffic on your website. I know some readers don't like ads very much, but it could provide a way to at least pay for the hosting or even get a few extra dollars. I know I usually click on the ads on sites that I like just to show support. Just an option to think about.
Posted by Crystal Schultz | August 17, 2010 12:58 AM
Posted on August 17, 2010 00:58
It still remains a mystery why Jesus allows that. :)
Posted by hostgator vps | August 20, 2010 2:09 PM
Posted on August 20, 2010 14:09
That is exactly what makes the Christian Louboutin replicas worthwhile to buy. You get the same things as you would in the original except for the price tag attached to it. So, go ahead and enjoy yourself.
Posted by Manolo Blahnik Sample Sale | August 21, 2010 6:04 AM
Posted on August 21, 2010 06:04
However, breakthrough in footwear production was achieved by designers like Christian Louboutin, who after careful research could add comfort of feet as well to his shoes.
Posted by Louboutin Wedge Boots | August 22, 2010 4:18 AM
Posted on August 22, 2010 04:18
Genuinely a worthwhile report. I have a very similar blog website myself therefore I will, no doubt keep returning to see more. many thanks for this sort of a satisfying valuable experience. Valerie
Posted by Cory Mooers | August 22, 2010 7:36 AM
Posted on August 22, 2010 07:36
However, his shoes came with an extraordinary price. Well beyond the reach of the commoners, his shoes were meant to be worn by the rich and elite only.
Posted by Nyla Louboutin Boot | August 22, 2010 11:41 AM
Posted on August 22, 2010 11:41
Manolo Blahnik gives priority to the quality not the production. In production, this brand has done something very exceptional. The factory stands in Parabiago, Italy. This factory is a busy factory with a low production rate.
Posted by Li Jimmy Choo | August 24, 2010 4:04 AM
Posted on August 24, 2010 04:04
Ankle Boots are best worn with dark tights and short skirts. However, if the hemline of your skirt is below the knee, it would be better to use knee-high boots instead.
Posted by Moncler Jackets On Sale | August 25, 2010 1:25 AM
Posted on August 25, 2010 01:25
Good post, thanks
Posted by tactical vest | August 26, 2010 10:49 AM
Posted on August 26, 2010 10:49
Good post, thanks
Posted by Snake Game | August 30, 2010 1:50 PM
Posted on August 30, 2010 13:50
What a post!! Very informative also easy to understand. Looking for more such writeups!! Do you have a twitter or a facebook?
I recommended it on digg. The only thing that it's missing is a bit of color. Nevertheless thank you for this blog.
Posted by Lyman Urquidi | August 30, 2010 11:01 PM
Posted on August 30, 2010 23:01
Good post, thanks
Posted by new binoculars | September 1, 2010 9:53 AM
Posted on September 1, 2010 09:53