Van de Ven slated by Dutch press after third poor left-back display

📰 Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven came in for harsh criticism from the Dutch press after another outing at left-back for the Netherlands. 📌 Key points ⚽ The Netherlands drew 2-2 away to Greece in the Nations League. 🗣️ A Telegraaf columnist said Van de Ven had now disappointed three games running. ⚡ He credited his pace but questioned his comfort on the ball. 🔁 Hato and Ian Maatsen were named as alternatives. 👍 Another pundit, however, praised his recovery speed. 📝 What happened 🏟️ The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Greece in Thessaloniki on 1 October. They conceded twice in the first half, to Fotis Ioannidis and Georgios Masouras, before Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders pulled them level after the break. According to ESPN, the Dutch had 71% of the ball. 🗣️ According to GOAL, De Telegraaf columnist Valentijn Driessen said Van de Ven's displays had now been disappointing for three matches in a row. He argued that the defender struggles without clear tactical instructions and leans too heavily on his pace to recover from mistakes. If he is only there to correct errors, Driessen said, that defeats the purpose; a full-back also needs to be comfortable on the ball. 🔁 Driessen named Hato, who he feels is better centrally but capable at left-back, and Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen, overlooked by Ronald Koeman and Xavi but impressive in an orange shirt before, as better options. 👍 Pundit Mike Verweij took a more positive view, calling Van de Ven's speed tremendous and pointing out that he can use it to fix his own or a teammate's mistake. 📊 By the numbers • Greece 2-2 Netherlands (away) • Netherlands possession: 71% • Three poor displays in a row, according to Driessen 🔭 Why it matters Van de Ven plays centre-back for Tottenham but has been used at left-back for his country. Continued criticism in an unfamiliar role could affect both his place in the Dutch side and his confidence. With Spurs bottom of the Premier League, the form of one of their key defenders matters. Tottenham travel to Manchester United on 10 October after the international break.