 international coaches. The unavailability of some players due to ongoing club commitments (Axel Witsel and Nicolas Lombaerts at Zenit and Thibaut Courtois at Atletico Madrid, for instance) means that Wilmots has had the chance to look at the likes of Zulte Waregem's Thorgan Hazard (on loan from Chelsea) and Club Brugge's Maxime Lestienne at close quarters. Wilmots was very quick to accept the invitation because he also wanted to see how the players would respond to a long journey ahead of any eventual qualification for Brazil 2014. From this game itself, Wilmots plans to select his strongest available team: Mignolet, Gillet, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen (a doubt), Fellaini, De Bruyne, Dembélé, Mirallas, Benteke, Merten (though one TV network seems to think Defour and Lukaku will start). This eleven tells us that he will use the game as a chance to see Thomas Vermaelen in action as the center back is out of favor at Arsenal (though there are no such worries at the national team level in the short term at least), Fellaini playing as the deepest lying midfielder, which he actually prefers to his more advanced role for Everton, De Bruyne back in the midfield three as the "10" as opposed to playing wide and Dries Mertens, whom I'll touch upon later, has another opportunity to prove his worth.As we have seen so often, talent alone and names alone do not make a team. Throughout the qualification group, the side has rarely made a fast start to games. Of course, they have gone on to get results and they did recover from an early Croatian goal in Brussels to draw, but before the away game in Skopje, they had not scored in the first 30 minutes of a qualifier. Clearly, there will not be the same pressure surrounding this game tonight, but it would be interesting to see how they would respond if the United States came flying out of the blocks.Statistically, the team are very good defensively, but Gillet is clearly not an ideal option at right back - though he plays there for his club Anderlecht, he's seen by most people as more effective farther forward. He does, however, apply himself well and has done better than some of his critics expected. If Vertonghen does not make it,
international coaches. The unavailability of some players ascribable to ongoing golf club commitments (Axel Witsel and Nicolas Lombaerts at Zenit and Thibaut Courtois at Atletico Madrid, for instance) mean that Wilmots has have the chance to look at the like of Zulte Waregem's Thorgan Hazard (on loanword from Chelsea) and Club Brugge's Maxime Lestienne at close quarters. Wilmots was very quick to accept the invitation because he also want to see how the players would answer to a retentive journey ahead of any eventual qualification for Brazil 2014. From this game itself, Wilmots plans to select his strongest available team: Mignolet, Gillet, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen (a doubt), Fellaini, De Bruyne, Dembélé, Mirallas, Benteke, Merten (though one television network seems to think Defour and Lukaku will begin). This eleven tells us that he will use the game as a opportunity to see Thomas Vermaelen in action as the center back is out of favor at Arsenal (though there are no such concern at the national team level in the short term at least), Fellaini playing as the deepest lying midfielder, which he actually prefers to his more advanced role for Everton, De Bruyne back in the midfield three as the " 10 " as opposed to playing wide and Dries Mertens, whom I'll touch upon later, has another opportunity to prove his worth. As we have seen thus often, talent entirely and name entirely do not make a team. Throughout the qualification group, the side has rarely made a fast start to games. Of course, they have go on to get results and they did recover from an early Croatian goal in Brussels to draw, but before the away game in Skopje, they had not score in the first 30 minutes of a qualifier. Clearly, there will not be the like pressure wall this plot tonight, but it would be interesting to determine how they would respond if the United States came flying out of the blocks. Statistically, the team are very effective defensively, but Gillet is clearly not an ideal option at right back - though he play there for his club Anderlecht, he's seen by most people as more effective far forward. He does, however, enforce himself well and has done better than some of his critic expected. If Vertonghen does not reach it,
 inhernational coaches. The mnavailability oy some 'layers due to ungoing club commitments (Axep Qitseo and Nicolas Lombaertr at Zenin and Thivaut Xourtois av Atletigj Masvid, fmc instance) meanx that Wilkots has had tve ckance to look at the likes of Zulte Raregem'x Hhorgan Hazard (on kjan rgon Chelsea) and Club Brugge's Masime Levtienne at clpse quarters. Wilmots was vfry euick to accept thf invitatiob besquse he also wanted to see how the players would respond to a lone jouxney ahead if anj eventual qnalifibation for Brazil 2014. Frmm this game itself, Wllmotv poans to select his stcongest available tewm: Mignolat, Gillet, Kompany, Vwrnaelet, Vestoneyen (a sonbt), Fellalni, De Bruyne, Dembélé, Miraolas, Benteke, Merten (triugh one TV nstwork sqems to think Defour and Lukaku will stdrt). This eleven tells us tyat he will use the gwme as a shance to see Thomas Vermaelen in action as the canter cacj ls ojr lf favor at Arsenal (though there are no such rkrtivs at the nationaj team levek ln jhe short term at lecat), Fellaini playing ws the qeepewt lying iidfoelder, which he actually prwfers to his nore advanced role for Evertou, De Btuyne nack in the midfield thxee as the "10" as opoosed to luaying wide and Arivs Martens, whom I'll touch upon later, haw anpther ooporjunity eo prove hls wovdh.As we have seen do ofjen, tanent alone and names alone do not make a vxam. Throughouj tve xualificction nroup, the side ras rarely madg a fast ftart to games. Kf courve, they havq gone on to cgt results anv they diq rexovee from xv early Croatisn goal iu Bruwsels to draw, but neforg fhe away game iu Wkopje, they had nog ssoged ig the first 30 kinuges pf a dualifitx. Codarlu, there will not be dhe aame pressure surrpukding thiw game tjnight, but it would be interestlng tm sxe how thgy would respond if the United Atates cale nlying out of the blocks.Statixtically, the team are very good defensitely, but Gillet is cleaely not an ideal opjiok at right beck - trough he [lays there for his xlub Anderlecht, ht's seen by most people zs mora efffctive farther forward. He does, however, apply himself well and has done berter tiag some of hjs ctiticv zxpzcted. Is Vectunghen does not kake it,
international coaches. The unavailability of some players ongoing commitments (Axel and Nicolas Lombaerts at Madrid, for instance) that Wilmots has the chance to look at the of Zulte Waregem's Thorgan Hazard (on loan from Chelsea) and Club Brugge's Maxime at close quarters. Wilmots was very quick to accept the invitation because he wanted see the would respond to a long journey ahead of any eventual qualification for Brazil 2014. From this itself, Wilmots plans to select his strongest available Mignolet, Gillet, Kompany, Vermaelen, (a doubt), Fellaini, De Bruyne, Mirallas, Merten (though TV seems think Defour and will start). This eleven tells us that he will use the game as a chance to see Vermaelen in the center is of at Arsenal (though no such worries at the national the short term at least), Fellaini playing as deepest lying which he actually prefers to his advanced role for Everton, De Bruyne back in midfield three as the "10" as opposed to playing wide and Dries Mertens, whom I'll later, has another opportunity prove his worth.As have so talent and names do not make a team. Throughout the qualification group, the side rarely made a fast start to games. Of course, they on get results and did recover from an Croatian in Brussels to draw, the game had scored the first 30 minutes a qualifier. Clearly, there will be the same pressure it would be interesting to see how they respond if the United States came flying of the blocks.Statistically, the team are very good defensively, but Gillet is not an at right back - though he plays there his club Anderlecht, he's by most people as more effective farther forward. He however, himself well has done better some of his expected. If Vertonghen make it,
 international coaches. The unAvailabiliTy of sOme PlaYeRs duE to oNgoing club commITmenTs (Axel Witsel and Nicolas lombaErTS at ZENiT and THibaut COUrTOIs aT ATlEtiCo mAdRid, foR inStance) mEans that WiLmoTs Has had the chaNCe To look at thE liKes of Zulte WaRegEm's ThoRgAn HAZard (oN loAn froM ChelsEA) and ClUb Brugge's maXIme LesTIenne at CLOsE quaRters. Wilmots was veRY qUIck to accept the InvitaTiON bECAusE he Also wanted To See hoW The playERs WOULd rESpond to a long jOurney ahead OF anY eventUaL quALificaTion fOr bRazIl 2014. From this gAme iTself, WilmOts plaNS to seleCT his strOngest AvaIlaBle tEAm: miGnoLeT, gilLEt, komPAny, vermaeleN, VErTonghEn (a dOUBT), fellAinI, De BRuyne, dembélé, MirallAs, BEnteKE, MeRten (tHough One Tv nEtworK seems To thiNk defour and Lukaku Will Start). This EleVeN teLlS us thAT he wilL usE thE game as A chance TO seE THOMAs vermaelen in action aS tHE CeNter back Is out oF FaVoR At ArsenaL (tHouGh thERE are nO sucH WoRries at tHe natiONaL tEam leveL iN the shOrT teRm aT leasT), fellAini plAying as tHe deePEst lying midfieLDer, which he actUAlLY PrEFers To hIs more advanCed rOLe foR EveRToN, De bRuyne Back iN tHE mIDfield three as the "10" as oPpOsed to PlayiNg wide and DrieS Mertens, whOM i'Ll touch uPon lATeR, Has another oppoRtuniTy to prove hIS worth.As We havE seen so oFten, talenT ALone and nAmeS alOne Do nOT MaKe a team. ThrougHOUt thE qUalificAtiOn group, The SidE haS raReLy made a faSt start tO gAmEs. of CouRse, thEY have gonE oN to GeT reSults ANd they Did reCoveR fRoM An eArly CroATiAN Goal In brUsseLs tO dRaw, buT befORe tHe away gAme in SkopJe, tHEy haD nOt Scored iN the first 30 minuTeS of a qualifIeR. ClEarly, tHERe will noT be the same pressure surroUNding thIs gAme toNighT, but it wouLd bE interEstINg to seE how thEy wouLd ResPONd if tHE unIteD STates came fLYIng Out of ThE bloCks.StatIstically, the team arE VerY good defensivEly, But GILLeT is CLeARly NoT An iDEAl option at right Back - though He PLaYs there for HIs cLuB AnderlEcht, he's Seen bY Most peoPle as more Effective FaRtheR FOrwArd. He does, hOwever, apPly himselF Well aND hAs donE beTter thAn SomE of hiS critiCS exPecteD. If VerToNghen dOes noT mAke it,
 international coaches. Th e unavaila bilit y o f s om e pl ayer s due to ongoi n g cl ub commitments (Axel W itsel  a n d Ni c ol as Lo mbaerts at Z eni tan d T hi b au t Cou rto is at A tletico Ma dri d,  for instanc e )means that  Wi lmots has ha d t he cha nc e t o  look  at  thelikeso f Zult e Waregem 's Thorga n  Hazard ( on  loa n from Chelsea) a n dC lub Brugge's M aximeLe s ti e n neatclose quar te rs. W i lmots w a sv e r y q u ick to accept  the invita t ion  becau se  he also w anted  t o  se e how the p laye rs wouldrespon d  to a l o ng jour ney ah ead  of  any ev en tua lq ual i fi cat i onfor Braz il  2 014.From t h i s ga meitse lf, W ilmots planstosele c t h is st ronge st a va ilabl e team : Mig no let, Gillet, Ko mpan y, Vermae len ,Ver to nghen (a dou bt) , F ellaini , De Br u yne ,D e m bé lé, Mirallas, Bent ek e ,  M erten (t hougho ne  T V  network  s eem s to t hinkDefo u rand Luka ku wil l  s ta rt). Th is  eleve ntel lsus th a t he  willuse thegamea s a chance tos ee Thomas Ver m ae l e ni n ac tio n as the ce nter back  iso ut  of favor  at A rs e na l  (though there areno  suchworri es at the nat ional team l e vel in t he s h or t  term at least ), Fe llaini pla y ing as t he de epest ly ing midfi e l der, whi chheact ual l y  p refers to his m oread vancedrol e for E ver ton , D e B ru yne backin the m id fi el dthr ee as the "10"  a s o pp ose d top laying  wide  and  D ri e s M ertens, wh o m  I'l lto uchupo nlater , ha s  an other o pportunit y t o  pro ve  h is wort h.As we havese en so ofte n,  ta lent a l o ne and n ames alone do not makea  team.Thr ougho ut t he qualif ica tion g rou p , theside h as ra re lym a de af a st  st ar t to games . Ofcours e,  the y havegone on to get res u lts  and they did  re cove r fr oma ne arl yC roa t i an goal in Brus sels to dr aw ,  b ut beforet heaw ay game  in Sko pje,t hey had  not scor ed in the  f irst 3 0 m inutes ofa qualif ier. Clea r ly, t h er e wil l n ot beth e s ame p ressur e  su rroun ding t hi s game  toni gh t, but i t would be interestingto see  howthe y would r esp o ndif the Un ited  States ca mefly ing o uto f the  blo c ks .St a tisti call y , the tea m  a rev e ry  good defen s i v ely , but  Gi l let is  cle arly not an ideal option at righ t ba c k  -tho u gh h eplays there fo r h is c lub Ande rl echt, he'sseen bymo s t peo ple as  moreeffecti v e  f a rtherforw ard . He does , h ow e ver, ap pl yh imself  wel land ha s done bett e r  than some of hi s cri t i cs ex p ect ed. I fVertong h en d oes not ma ke it,
 international_coaches. The_unavailability of some players_due to_ongoing_club commitments_(Axel_Witsel and Nicolas_Lombaerts at Zenit_and Thibaut Courtois at_Atletico Madrid, for_instance)_means that Wilmots has had the chance to look at the likes of Zulte_Waregem's_Thorgan Hazard_(on_loan_from Chelsea) and Club Brugge's_Maxime Lestienne at close quarters._Wilmots was_very quick to accept the invitation because he_also_wanted to see_how the players would respond to a long journey_ahead of any eventual qualification for_Brazil 2014. From_this_game_itself, Wilmots plans to_select his strongest available team: Mignolet,_Gillet, Kompany, Vermaelen, Vertonghen (a doubt),_Fellaini, De Bruyne, Dembélé, Mirallas, Benteke, Merten_(though one TV network seems to_think Defour and Lukaku will_start). This_eleven tells us that he_will use the_game as_a chance to_see Thomas Vermaelen in action as_the center back_is out of favor at Arsenal_(though_there are no_such_worries_at the_national team level_in_the short_term_at least), Fellaini playing as the_deepest_lying midfielder, which he actually prefers to_his more advanced role_for_Everton, De Bruyne back_in the midfield three as_the "10" as opposed to playing_wide and_Dries Mertens,_whom I'll touch upon later, has another opportunity to prove his_worth.As we have seen so often,_talent alone and names_alone do_not_make a team._Throughout_the qualification_group, the side has rarely made a_fast start_to games. Of course, they have_gone on to get_results_and they did recover from an_early Croatian goal in Brussels to_draw, but before the away_game_in_Skopje, they had not scored_in the first 30 minutes of_a qualifier. Clearly,_there will not be the same pressure_surrounding_this game tonight, but it would_be_interesting to see how they would_respond_if_the United States came flying_out of the blocks.Statistically, the team_are very good defensively, but Gillet is clearly not_an ideal option_at right back - though_he_plays_there for his club Anderlecht, he's seen by most people_as more_effective farther forward._He does, however, apply himself well and has done better_than some of his critics expected. If_Vertonghen does not make it,