Netherlands manager Danny Blind praised the "very special" performance England produced to beat Germany on Saturday and spoke of his belief that Dele Alli is a quality player.
England host the Dutch at Wembley on Tuesday evening with optimism again surrounding their prospects at Euro 2016 following the convincing display they produced to recover from two goals down to win 3-2 away to world champions Germany.
While Roy Hodgson's team are making giant strides, it appears the Dutch are in decline, given their failure to qualify for this summer's tournament.
The negativity surrounding their national team was worsened by Friday's 3-2 friendly defeat at home to France and the fact so many are mourning the recent death of their greatest football figure, Johan Cruyff.
But asked of England's and Alli's impressive display in Germany, the under-pressure Blind said their next opponents are shedding the negative, predictable characteristics that have caused them to so regularly underperform.
"It's special when you are 2-0 down against Germany and win 2-3 in Germany, that's very special," the 54-year-old said.
"There was a good spirit, and tactically, they have good pressure with the three up front to disturb the build-up from Germany, and they were successful.
"[Dele Alli] was very special. He's a good player, technical, has a good shot, but he's also aggressive, he will win a lot of tackles, so he's a special player.
"[England] have big players with big clubs. They used to have a lot of foreign players at the clubs. Now it it appears they have more home-based English players in their league so they can build a good national team.
"That is in contrast to us, we are now rebuilding our team with extremely young players.
"It's a good team with young and promising players. It's more difficult to beat England than it used to be. Holland have had good results against England but they appear to play more modern, less predictable football now.
"Maybe a bit more European style [has been] influenced by all the coaches and players in the Premier League."
Blind, who is without the injured Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, and left Robin van Persie out of his squad, was also asked of the influence the late Cruyff had on his career.
He responded: "He was very important for my career because when I was 25 he was the manager of Ajax and he transferred me from Sparta Rotterdam.
"I was a good player but not a special one but it gave me the possibility to develop in a better team. It changed my football life and it changed my normal life."
