Johnny Metgod hopes he can mesh the best of English and Dutch football at Portsmouth.

The Pompey coach told The News: "There are typical things from the English game. They compete very hard, they give it everything they've got and they have the right attitude towards the game.

"Then you have the Dutch way of playing which is more skilful and with more technique.

"If you can blend those two together, then you will really have a good player.

"In Holland, you start at eight, nine or 10 years old and sometimes even younger and you try to do all sorts of things with the ball.

"But that is only one aspect of football - you need to get the ball as well. That is where the English side of the game comes in because they are good at tackling and winning the ball.

"But it's not about this way or that way, it's about blending them together.

"Sometimes it's good to keep the ball and play the ball around, but sometimes you don't have the chance to do that because the opposition puts you under pressure."

English players have been criticised for their supposed lack of technical ability for many years, but while Heerenveen's players may have the edge with their first touch and keeping possession, there is more to the game than just the prettier side.

Metgod said: "Normally, I think English players are technically inferior, but there are certain ways that you can make up for it.

"I think it's a matter of trying to find a way to improve and then getting to a certain level of playing."