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Bittersweet from our captain. The last kick at the can for a generational Greek talent. Looking forward to seeing him with the armband and hopefully lead us to the EURO.

Can't see him staying at Roma next year. Likely destination will be Man Utd but Arsenal may get him. Now that would be something. Soc and Manolas at Arsenal. https://au.eurosport.com/football/transfers-2/2018-2019/euro-papers-manchester-united-and-arsenal-lead-roma-raid-for-summer-transfers_vid1176555/video.shtml

Even though I'm the first to criticize the decisions coaches make at some point we need to be realistic and say if this doesn't work out this time we need to be honest and lay the blame on our players and lack of talent or care. We have gone through now 5 coaches I believe. For me this will come down to our players and the lack of playing time or the lack of conditioning or in plain black and white that they just are not good enough. I also believe if we fail to make it to the Euros we need to clean house and rebuild this team with all younger players. Other then Manolas and Socratis are our other players good enough? I mean fortounis does s%$#! for the NT and I think he is overrated, We have no high caliber midfielder in all of Greece ffs. This to me will dictate for sure if the dark ages are back as its getting closer to becoming a reality. Even though I will continue to bitch about coaching decisions that I don't agree with for me its now on the players no more blaming the coaches for not qualifying as I mentioned its time to look at our players.

Again, not a big loss. I’m fact it’s probably better.

Oh God I hope he stays on longer with the Ethniki at least until the 2022 World Cup.

I agree, For me Socratis comments don't give me or who ever reads the article much optimism. He's pretty much saying we are not good enough and the Greek players don't care as much for the NT. That's not what you want to here or read about from a so called leader. Also he should keep his comments about this being his last go around with the NT to himself as the team does not need anymore distractions around them. Also how are the young guys going to listen to him when they know he wont be here after this tournament.. The problem is I truly don't believe Socratis thinks they are good enough to advance and if that's his mentality and thinking then we honestly have no chance because that vibe will trickle down to the entire team. You would never hear Kara or any of those guys excepting defeat never in a million years. As far as retiring he should want to wear the NT jersey for as long as he can play the game and when he gets older he should want to be a veteran presence and a guy coming off the bench rather then a guy that says "I'm tired and this is my last tournament"

I think he's letting the Arsenal thing get to his head. If he was on a team like Dortmund I don't think he would retire like that. That's stuff that English, French, etc. players do. Under dog teams like us the players play till they retire ie Karagounis taking us to knockouts beating Russia when he was 35. Sokratis is very frustrated with the NT. The fans not showing support. The greek players with loser mentalities. It's just not fun for him anymore and he feels like he's putting water in a hole with a bucket. I hope he changes his mind but at the same time him publically saying that also is a bad attitude. Much like Messi doing that with Argentina. whereas Ronaldo never has thought of stepping down from Portugal. Ronaldo is always wanting to play for it all and takes responsibility. That's why for me I like Ronald much more then Messi.Ronaldo lifts everyone around him. Whereas Messi is passive aggressive and trys to get player he doesn't like away from the NT.

The midfield is really a mess. We are OK at keeping possession, but, for the life of us, we cannot find a way into the opposition's box; not even versus the minnows. That's why we resolve to wishful long balls and crosses, hoping for the perfect drop or rebound. We need a guy that isn't afraid to take on defenders and to force them to back off a bit. That's the only way we will be able to create space and runs into the danger area.

It's almost amazing how Greek basketball totally has its **** together despite the economic crisis yet greek footy is going down the drain...

For the life of me, what is so difficult for the coach to understand. Mitroglou should not be a shoe-in at the striker position. We cannot support a poacher because our attacking midfield is impotent. They cannot keep the ball on the ground, take on defenders or find holes to open up play. Mitroglou's lethargic style does no one any favours either. It's just awful tactics having this mix of players out there and hoping for production. It's like trying to stick a square peg in a round hole.

The Greek NT has depth but is gravely flawed. We are very skilled and deep at the CB position, but even there we are suffering with injuries. Goalkeeping is deep. The rest of the roster is deep but average. We have 8-10 guys that can produce the same result in the midfield, but, unfortunately, that result is pretty dull. No cohesiveness, consistent wishful long-balls, lazy, isolated striker, lack of creativity and game-breaking ability, are all things that plagued this team for years.

Now you will understand why I follow Greek track and field more than football. The state of SEGAS is in great shape with no corruption. In EPO and EPAE, the league is run by thugs and mafias.

Totally embarrassed as a PAO fan, I cant believe they cant stop this s**** from happening at football matches. Enough already.

Where is the MAT to beat the s%$#! out of those “supporters” ?

Bakasetas and Mantolas better not see 5 minutes of playing time, These guys don't work for the NT, they don't even work for AEK. If we are going to change things up then we need to start fresh with new blood. Lets be honest our chances are slim at qualifying but lets hope we can see a competitive team in every game. We need to see what Masouras and Donis can do on the wing. Mitro as much as he pisses me off and looks lazy as hell can change the game with one touch that's why he is important to start. Samaris needs to start as he seems to be getting playing time and progressing. I think Zeca needs to start for his hustle. part of me feels like we will be a disaster and part of me feels like there is a chance we will figure it out... So confused... lol... Right now I believe Italy, Bosnia and Finland have a better chance then us to qualify.. lets see what happens as we are a week away...

I don't care how in form players like Bakasetas and Mantalos are, they cannot raise their game to European class. When was the last time they stood out for the National team? Not even vs the minnows...I have no faith in those two players; they just dont have it in them. Player I have unalterable faith in: Sokratis (Manolas as well but he is injured) Players that have the ability to elevate their game and hope to see all of them in the starting XI vs Bosnia: Fortounis, Siovas, Vlachodimos, Samaris, Donis Zeca will run and work hard, fine. Koutris has ability. Hope to see him play. Mitroglou if he gets service, and that's a big IF, can make a difference, but I've to written him off lately because of his laziness and the fact his teammates cannot get him the ball in the box. I would much rather give Koulouris the start. Some of the players from the Greek league like Masouras, Bakakis, Siopis, Bouchalakis, Kourbelis, haven't shown much, but open to seeing more of them. Two cypriot leaguers, Kolovos and Mavrias, had promise once upon a time, but can't expect much coming from that league. They were lazy call-ups by Athanasiadis IMO. Hope they prove me wrong, but I don't think they will see the pitch. We have in-form players in more competitive leagues around Europe that were unfortunately overlooked. Valerianos and Risvanis, that's what you get when 5 NT calibre defenders are injured.

It's a natural reaction, 4 yrs. away from the SL is a very long time. Abreu was, and still is, a character. Some guys have a knack for scoring and he was one of them, always in the right spot. Nothing to do with Aris but the best forward, in my opinion, who had the ability, for what it's worth I couldn't stand him, was Filippo Inzaghi. Every time I would watch him play I'd ask myself how does this giant boob play top level futbol and then he would proceed to score a hat trick.

It is in the works. Έρχονται εξελίξεις για το νέο «σπίτι» της Εθνικής