Richard Sneekes: West Brom's Dutch pair need time

Mar 22 2009 by Robert Tanner, Sunday Mercury

West Brom's former Dutch master Richard Sneekes is backing his countrymen Gianni Zuiverloon and Ryan Donk to come good for the Baggies.

Twenty two-year-old Donk, who is on loan from Dutch side AZ, has fallen by the wayside after some dodgy performances at the heart of the Albion defence in recent weeks, while 22-year-old Zuiverloon’s form has also dropped away after making an impressive start to his Albion career.

The former Feyenoord youngster has looked suspect at the back and his impressive attacking, overlapping runs have become less frequent as Albion have slipped into a relegation dogfight.

However, Sneekes, above, who was a product of the famous Ajax youth system and played over 250 games for Albion, believes the duo need more time to come to terms with the very different demands of English football.

“Ryan did quite well when he first came into the side and Gianni was hailed as the next big thing who would end up at a club like Manchester United,” said Sneekes, who played over 70 times for Bolton Wanderers after arriving in England from Fortuna Sittard before arriving at Albion.

“They are both good footballers and they want to play, but they are both very young and it is their first time away from home.