The Dutch are always behind the ball. I don't know why, but I always have barely enough resources to fend off an attack, but never enough to go on the offensive. Of course, that eventually means economic doom.
My micro is fairly good, not expert, but it is usually a step above my opponent. This doesn't seem to translate into victory, however. The reason is my opponent has more of everything. The Dutch are always fighting with the barest minimum.
When I die early, I always marvel at what my opponent has accomplished in terms of production. A barracks, TP, houses, outpost, and a good 15 infantry. In that time, I can usually get up a barracks, some houses, and 5 skirmishers. No way I could get all that other stuff.
I always have the TC making vills, every resource is planned for, and I never have extra. So, if my economic machine is not mismanaged in the first few minutes or so...how can I be so thouroughly outproduced early every game?
That tells me that there is something intrinsically less efficient about the Dutch start than most other civs. That may be economic or it may be military value, I'm not sure. Any thoughts?
(By the way...I always beat Ports...so at least they're worse!)