Super Krul needed against Argentina

After all the talk about much Van Gaal is after taking an uncertain Dutch squad to the World Cup semi-finals and finishing third, one wonders why he didn't bother throwing the dice so to speak against Argentina. After subbing on Tim Krul to star in the penalty shootout that took them to the semi-finals, he bottled it and made the switch to bring on Huntelaar, who then got carded and failed to create any solid goal scoring opportunities. Tongue in cheek (still wonder if had anything to do with needing to leave Rio to start Man United's pre-season early) aside, after making the switch against .

It wasn't just the extra reach that evaded Jasper, but also the positivity. Once he got his head down, he struggled to perform anything close to the three point winning save against Spain in the first game or some of his other notable saves. Krul was 'pumped' against Costa Rica, his confidence over flowing as he made save after save to take his team through. And Holland had nothing to lose. Clearly Jasper wasn't as good at penalties (not all of the goalkeepers at the World Cup have proven themselves as penalty specialists), and Tim offered them a better option.

Jasper seemed to be the man for the 90 minutes; playing as a solid sweeper (the tuck back on show many times to annoy the opposing forward trying to hassle him - looking at you Aguero!) as well as shot stopper (coming out and looking big, like against Spain). But Krul shone in the penalty shootout. As Argentina snuck through with a goalkeeper that has played all of four (yes, four domestic games this season in Ligue 1!), there's always going to be that 'what-if' question mark as to whether Van Gaal could have made the same tactical switch yet again...

Elliot struggling in Krul's absence

For a second choice 'keeper stuck behind an obvious pure talent like , then it is a case of biding their time and hoping for a chance to play to work their way into the squad. Whilst it sounds cruel, injury is pretty much the only thing going to keep out a clear cut starter from playing ahead of you! And with Krul injured (Dutch coaching staff must be putting their heads in the sand right now as a result of !), Elliot is finally getting his chance. But in doing so is proving he isn't up to the Premier League or the same elite status that Newcastle have gotten used to with Krul in goal for them, right now.

With Krul in and out of action due to various injuries (I think there must be a curse on Dutch goalkeepers right now, as all of their top, experienced goalkeepers from Krul to Vorm to Sketelenburg have all been seriously troubled by injury this season), Newcastle need a solid go-to-guy on the bench. A lot like Cudicini at Tottenham, a guy who can happily come off the bench and get the job done. This requires a special kind of mentality as you have to be ready to play 'all out' when the chance does represent itself. I think Rob would make a good Championship goalkeeper (like Kusczak has at Brighton) but a lot of the goals were scored due to errors on his part that were rookie mistakes or at fault tehnically. These kinds of goals are concessions that Newcastle can't afford if they want to push up the table and challenge for European spots as in previous seasons, as in the case of Krul's breakout season.

Goals like the first one where he over commits to the wrong side and foot speed means he can't reach out with a dive to stop the curler into his left post. Or on the last where he is caught out again for a required dive to his right. He could also benefit from working with his back four more appropriately and communicate with them to stop so many defensive breakdowns; reliant on his 'read' skills of the set-up in front of him.