Rockafeller Skank

I woke up with a hunch that the back 4 will be Tsimikas - Mavropanos - Kyriakos - Bakakis if they re 5 we ll probably have to endure Svarnas in there as well.

Match with spain will be a friendly-like. We have no chance in to be competitive againt spain. Losing with a small margin will be a success. Conceding less than 3 will be a success.

Vlachodimos Giannoulis, Mavropanos Zeka Bouchalakis Giakoumakis Pelkas Bakasetas seem like they re gonna be starters for sure. there are 3 ? left. CB,RB, 3rd midfielder (either a 10 like Fortounis or a DM like Siopis) or winger, based on where Bakasetas plays. I have no idea for the ? spots.

Yes that's exactly what I mean when I talk about argumentative speech issues. It's a rollercoaster discussion of me vs you attacking on direct opinions, with no chance on any of us changing it. I ve spitted some facts that we both know and you just prefer to ignore, like other reasons of why one accepts a NT call-up, and have explained that EPO =/= Greece both technically and realistically, and yet you guys all decide to present sentimental type of arguments. Επίκληση στο Συναίσθημα, if you are aware of argumentative speech and have no issues with it, I assume you are aware of what this is. Otherwise, Google it. As you said yourself, I am in these forums long enough, and look like I care more than the average Greek about our players excelling and our NT forming a competitive and solid roster. The fact that I am partly French does not show a single bit, neither on this Forum, nor in reality and you would have no clue about it unless I did, indeed, say so. (props on your memories it's been at least 2 years since I mentioned it). I have a completely different opinion about country and pride related to it. As I said before, everyone who seems to follow this argument on your side (a.k.a. literally everyone participating) lives abroad. It IS something that cannot be left unnoticed. I still believe talking about professional footballers getting in a fight with EPO being called traitors is a clownish stance. Making a fight between these 2 guys and people who have managed to get our NT from top 10 in the world to barely top 60, sound like its a national matter.This is how the argument started, and this is how the argument will end from my side, as it has lasted for too damn long.

Overdramatic discussion. Like the little kid that goes to the Greek army and feels respected for wearing the ethnosimo, meanwhile he is cleaning toilets and putting fire on his metal-bed-parts because they re full of flea. Everyone who agrees with you lives in U.S.A. or Canada. Hardly easy to follow up the Greek reality from 2 oceans and 2 continents away. It's just your nationalim kicking in thinking any of thee players who have an average income 100-1000 times more than the average Greek after a few times of being called up, care much about reprenting the flags instead of representing themselves and their player value and recognition. A player selected for his NT could be nothing less than proof that he is one of the best players originating from his country. Thus, why everyone is killing themselves to get on it. The fact that a player's financial value goes higher when they re called for their NT is one more reason why players want to join. Same reason why some people like Villafanez and Balldock have been heard recently. Also, you re pointing the finger to me about bringing up Manolas and Sokratis saying U re talking general about it, while the argument started exactly on the name of them two? You really have strong issues with argumentative speech. This time, I mean it.

Can this whole "Patrida is everything" stop? You re acting like we retalking about A-tier traitors in Manolas and Sokratis because they were disrespected from EPO. Did the Greek people decide to kick them out of the team? Did the Greek Government or the Greek people decide to bring JVS? Does the head of EPO change by government? Are the footballers , when paid a win pream, paid directly from the country or through EPO? This is such a 5-year-old's discussion i'm having right now and I can't understand why there is a need for it. I haven't seen a single argument from your side apart from pride/ethics related answers.

Yes

Mavrias is being called because we have no other Right Backs. Not even one. Androutsos is gonna be given his chance but they re both bad. No player from GSL is game changer. Also a team like Greece has no need for something as Speed on fullbacks, as we re mostly defending with counter attacks or organized attacks with control. There is small chance that our defence is deorganized, the problem is that the Spanish talent is so big, compared to ours, that even the perfectly organized defence can end up in us conceding, especially when they are in no danger as we can't attack forward.

Wrong again.

I disagree on Papadopoulos call-up. Guy plays in a bottom feeder Croatian League team. He is san ti miga mes to gala but I see no competition to justify his call-up. I'd rather see some youngster from Atromitos or Asteras than him.

Probably today or tomorrow. All League matches have finished since yday, so the callups will be probably made today or even started yday. When they re announced is another story.

Returnig the "reread wheat I said". There is no country in the middle even in a sports sense. Its just a sports federation. Period. Maybe take a reading comprehension course.

Sad that Manolas ain't joining. Sokratis couldn't help much vs a team like Spain. He would and could coordinate the defence vs minnow nations as he is good with the ball on his feet and smart as a player. Manolas is a beast still considered one of the top CBs in the world. Him and Siovas were really needed, even if it would just be a mentality boost that they re in the field. Apart from that, Vlachodimos returned to Benfixa starters so he probablyis a done deal. CB duo looks like it is going to be Mavropanos - Chatzidiakos. Giannoulis for LB, and no idea who RB is going to be. From all called noone can man mark a Spanish winger, so whoever comes is gonna be a hole in Defence. I am really curious about whats gonna happen on the holding midfielders position. Zeka is probably going to be a starter and captain again. Nonstop playtime with Kobenhavn, his team is back on track for the championship. Another one that I believe is gonna play is Siopis and Bouchalakis in a 4-3-3 Wingers are looking sharp. Pelkas Bakasetas imo will definately be starters with Giakoumakis up front. Something people don't seem to notice much is that even tho Turkish League aint a La Liga or Premier League one, all Greeks play in the top 6 teams. Fenerbahce (Pelkas), Alanyaspor (Siopis,Tzavellas), Trabzonspor (Bakasetas) , Hatayspor (Katranis). I am pretty sure that their power is similar to Olympiakos, based on their European results.

Seriously? Blame a guy because they weren't calling him when he was a starter at Arsenal (talking about his first 1,5 year there) and blame a guy for being called when he , really , can't help and even admits it and refuses to go? All players come of age at some point. It's not their problem you didn't utilize them when they could help, but you pick Labropoulos and Lazaros Rota instead. Epo =/= country. You have these things confused. You don't represent the Country on the way you think. That's why the Greece NT symbol ακα εθνόσημο is not the same as the Official Greek Symbol. Chill with the "they don't care about their country" mentality.

As an Olympiakos , having an eye on Androutsos, I can tell u he is not good as a right back defensively. Vs Sweden and Spain we ll need solid defence. Guy is good offensively and seems faster than Speedy Gonzales, while being used (vs decent opponents) after 75 min, when opposition is tired. I can't trust him defensively nor have I seen him vs a decent non-tired opponent. We have a serious issue on right back. Also Albanis gave me a good impression the few moments I ve seen him.

JVS probably was looking at Natsos as RB at Peristeri at the match Atromitos - Asteras. Honestly Natsos, at 22, has more playtime than Bakakis ( ofc bakakis was injured and covid, no clue about Natsos' injury history this season) and they both have 1 assist. If the boy is fast as Bakakis is, he can't be worse can he? Anyone have any official news with Baldock citizenship?

Tzolis on 2 matches vs PSV had the same goals as Bouchalakis. Let's put Bouchalakis as striker. As for Volos, a couple of years ago Beos said that he is gonna transform Volos and make it Monaco. Douvikas is playing for Monaco of Greece my friend.

Sokratis although good for Olympiakos and the team's goals is nowhere near his old self. Hasn't been since his year #1 in Arsenal. I have heard rumours about Manolas and Siovas returning to Ethniki. For me the lineup is the following. I will explain with detail. Vlachodimos ??? - Mavropanos - Manolas - Giannoulis Zeca - Siopis - Bouchalakis Tziolis/Limnios - Giakoumakis - Pelkas Goalie: Vlachodimos is a starter for Benfica until recently, when the coach just decided to rotate. Maybe it was because Odysseas has gotten too many games in a row. Maybe Benfica was doing baddly (not Goalie fault) and he needed to freshen up the line-up ? Probably the 2nd reason is more accurate altho it has not worked out for Benfica. Classes better than Barkas and Dioudis. No other Goalie for picking currently. RB: Where are we with Baldock? He would be a huge addition. Both physically because he can run up and down the field nonstop in a PL level and not be tired but he is also a , mediocre defensively - good offensively, much better solution than Bakakis who is our #1. If Baldock aint comming, I would prefer to put Limnios there over Bakakis. Noone else left to mention. CB duo: Mavropanos became a starter of Stuttgard and his team is doing excellent for their budget in Bundesliga. If Manolas returns him and Chatzidiakos are gonna fight for a starting spot. I expect a big possibility of us lining up on a 3 CB scheme where I assume we ll see both. Siovas possibility to rejoin NT could also see him here, as well as Retsos if he is healthy. In my opinion, Chatzidiakos, Mavropanos, Retsos will be the NT future. So far young players like Michailidis, Svarnas don't look like they can cut it. Both losing ground on their clubs. LB: I would prefer Giannoulis over Tsimikas. Giannoulis has been a starter to Norwich since he joined Championship. Tsimikas rarely plays. Key player. Could have Tsimikas to freshen up the full backs if needed. Midfield: Either in 3-5-2 or in 4-3-3/4-5-1 We re gonna need 2 holding midfielders. Zeka and Siopis are both having a lot of playtime in some , above Greek Super League level teams. Was hoping that Samaris would have playtime till now in Benfica but guy is still not fully recovered from his injury. I think hes injured over 1 year. Came back for a small period and back to nowhere to be found. Bouchalakis in my opinion needs to be the 3rd player in the midfield as we start. The reason is similar to Olympiakos. Bouchalakis due to his body can help defensively, he runs a lot of km and has the confidence to try risky passes up front. A lot of time that fails but the guy is one of the few players I see in Greece that will try something hard with small percentage of success. We will need that to an open Spain who will probably try to give a goo show on the MatchDay 1 of the Groups and assert dominance. Another reason is that after 60+ Bouchalakis can be subbed and Fortounis can come in as a super sub. Wingers: Pelkas has been having an awesome season in Turkey and thankfully is healthy. definatley needed either as CAM at 4-2-3-1 or a Winger. Tziolis or Limnios on the other wing, altho I would prefer - if there is no Baldock - to have both of them. on the Right Flank. CF: Giakoumakis has the whole Europe talking about him. Benching him now would be a sin.

Guy will end the season with 30 goals in the league, even if his productivity drops to half. I expect a bigger Dutch team lurking to buy him as he is also relatively young. From there anything is possible. JVS has to trust him for the next campaign to be the starter. Enough of Pavlidis, who did have his moment.

Giannoulis is bad? Really? Honestly he has been Paok's most effective offensive threat this season. Giannoulis is good but Tsimikas is also good. For my opinion both sohuld fit in a 4-4-2 on the Left Flank. Because if not them, who else? Chatzidiakos is good. Really like him and the last 2 seasons Alkmaar has been amazing defensively, with him being mainly a starter. Mavropanos and Retsos were bomb signings so im pretty sure that there is something there that needs notice, more than what a last resort 4th cb of paok (michailidis) and low budget Aek's starter (svarnas) need for sure. Right back our only hope really is Baldock.

We have a lot of time until the qualifiers start, which is on March 25. considering we have Baldock and the coch monitoring the fact that Retsos and Mavropanos have been playing relatively consistently in Germany and France, I would love to see Siovas and Manolas back. This would give us a solid defence to at least look competitive.

the problem with ranieri was that there were expectations of him and there were players in the NT that loved Santos and hated how EPO treated him. Noone has expectations fron JVS.

Ι disagree about hte confidence. The team would be confident if they topped the Nations League Group. Being unable to do that probably hurt the morale. So did the draw.

Forsberg? Kulusevski? Claesson? They re no top 10 in their positions like the spanish line up but seriously? The rest of their squad is all playing in midtble tems in England, Germany, Italy. You are A swede in a swedish forum identical to this one, but for the Swedish national team. You have no idea about the Greek NT but you search for them in wikipedia. Players like Svarnas, Bakakis, Pavlidis, Kourbelis pop up as starters. You check their teams. Half of the teams never make it to Europa qualifications. Half of the teams are bottom feed in Europa Groups (Paok, Aek). A couple of names in Serie A bad teams. A couple of names in Bundesliga and France bad teams. The only thing that comes to mind? "Boi we can totally top this group and outshadow spain."

I would give us a 20% possibility of ending up 2nd. 20% possibility of ending up 4th and 60% of finishing 3rd. Sweden although not the kafeneio you guys present it. Are really relatively chokers and as a NT they never had good duration. Thats the only reason we can end up higher than them. Under other circumstances we re nowhere near their level. If we play them 10 times we might win them once.