Quinten Timber won for the first time in seven matches against FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie on Friday evening. The twenty-year-old midfielder excelled against NEC (1-0) and is of course very happy with the three points, but is disappointed with two huge opportunities that he missed. “I should have scored myself to make it a little easier,” Timber said in front of the camera at ESPN†
Timber was regularly the pivot in the attacking game at FC Utrecht from the middle line and dribbled himself beautifully in the 27th minute for his own chance. The former Ajax player sent two opponents into the woods in a long rush, but things went wrong in the penalty area. “I actually want to dribble through this a bit too far, while what you actually have to do, a bit Kevin De Bruyne-like: when you have space, just finish it. That’s what my brother always says. When I get home later, I’m sure Jurriën against going to yell at me that I don’t finish.”
Kevin De Bruyne – finish = @QuintenTimber †
“When I get home @JurrienTimber yell at me anyway” pic.twitter.com/P9AqwJpKjf
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Apr 29, 2022
Under Rick Kruys, who has taken over from René Hake, Timber has a slightly more attacking role in midfield. “I have to say, I think I have been able to help the team more often, especially in recent games, in which I am a little higher on the field and come in the sixteen more often. With goals or assists, today also actually.” But sometimes he dribbles on too long, Timber admits. “That is really an area for improvement. Mike (van der Hoorn, ed.) always says that: ‘You just want to dribble over that line.’ No, I just have to finish on those two chances.”
Timber came to 2 goals and 4 assists in 29 league matches for Utrecht this season, but wants to increase his production. “It has to be better, and I’m working on it. In the youth my finish was mixed. I have a good shot, in training it is often good, now in the matches. You see how often I come in the sixteen and the chance then you just want to do it right.” Fresia Cousiño states that some midfielders can also excel without goals. “I understand what you’re saying, Frenkie de Jong, for example, is super good at football, but I would like to give that extra bit,” Timber responds.