Robin van Persie, Iceland - Netherlands Euro Qualifiers 13102014Proshots

Van Persie reveals crisis talks with Hiddink

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has revealed that Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink held a "critical talk" with him over the Oranje's inauspicious form.

The 31-year-old national team captain has led the team out in all three of their Euro 2016 qualifiers, where losses away at Iceland and Czech Republic have plunged the World Cup finalists into a mini-crisis.

And Van Persie says Hiddink, who visited the striker in Manchester, was frank and honest about what was required to turn around their slump in form.

He told Algemeen Dagblad: "It was a good, open and honest conversation. It was a critical talk, but it had to be. I understood that Hiddink will talk with other guys too.

"Everyone [from the national squad] is convinced it has to be different and better.

"The coach showed me what he want to see different and better. He showed a huge drive. He was sharp, hard sometimes, also to me. But it should be like that.

"I have a good feeling about the conversation. Although it was very serious, I felt a lot of trust."

Van Persie has registered one goal in qualifying thus far, adding the gloss to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over Kazakhstan, during which he was involved in an altercation with team-mate Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

However, the United frontman says the argument is in the past, adding: "Klaas and I spoke widely about it. We're both winners and have a lot of respect for each other as football players.

"I do understand that a moment like that drives the whole discussion. It is showed widely to the audience and people have a opinion about it. Maybe we had to deal with something like that a bit smarter. But it happened in the heat of the moment."

The Netherlands host Mexico in a friendly on November 12 before welcoming Latvia to the Amsterdam Arena four days later as they resume their quest to qualify for the European Championships and Van Persie believes his talk with Hiddink will provoke a positive reaction.

"The players must do it," he said. "That's really how I feel about it. The coach tells us things, but we've lost from Iceland.

"I had a lot of contact with the boys over the last weeks, we all have the same feeling. Everyone is convinced that it has to be different and better."
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