Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong has lauded praise on new head coach Louis van Gaal, claiming he has given the side a "boost" in morale and positivity.
Van Gaal succeeded Bert van Marwijk, who stepped down following the Oranje's disappointment at Euro 2012 where they finished bottom of their group.
But the Dutch have recorded two wins from two in their bid to qualify for the next World Cup in Brazil and De Jong believes much of this early success is down to the positive impact Van Gaal has had on the side.
"After four years with [coach] Bert van Marwijk, it's good to have a new boost. And that boost we've got from Van Gaal and his background staff," De Jong told Bild.
"Is Van Gaal how I expected he should be? I've never had expectations of someone. I don't listen to stories of him from other people, I'm open minded. I've got good experiences so far with his training methods."
It is the 61-year-old's second stint as coach of Netherlands having held the reigns between 2000 and 2002, during which period his side failed to qualify for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, something De Jong admits he and his team-mates are well aware of.
He added: "It's a different style of working. He's busy coaching and bringing a positive vibe to the group. I feel this group [of players] want to live up to Van Gaal. We all know how his first period at Oranje went."
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