Leaderboard

With all due respect, just because you watch all the games, doesn’t mean you really know what works. If that was the case, then anyone off the street can be a coach at anytime.

If that were the case i'd be the greatest manager in the world due to my Football Manager acumen and records ?

If you go on the NT forums, people are calling for them to bring back Ninis! ?

Vlachodimos keeps a clean sheet in the 2nd leg of the round of 16 tie against Ajax, Benfica win the match 0-1 and are through to the quarter finals. In what has been a disappointing domestic campaign for Benfica it's a great effort to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League.

Πάρτε την πρόκριση για να μη σας πάρει ο διάβολος!

You're 100% correct my sweet banana hammock

0-2 win for the kids

Hmm I haven’t checked that thread out in ages but I’m not surprised. A common theme I’ve seen over the years is for this need to have a scapegoat. Be it Katsouranis, Tziolis or whoever. Not that these guys were great, they had their flaws but somehow there was this belief if we replaced them everything else would fall into place. Now it seems to be Bakasetas and Mantalos. Most people can watch soccer all their lives but can’t read a game let alone understand how team management, psychology and cohesion works. Skill is but one factor in selecting a player. There are many other factors considered. If it was all about skill, just go and pick one of those guys you see in a park that can juggle the ball like a champion.

You can watch the final game here:

Yes those players you mentioned are also in great form, however, they do not play the same position as Ninis and Fetfa. So I didn't see a need to bring them up in discussion because the little midget troll Fetfazidis would never play CB. I don't think its controversial at all. I just think most people wouldn't consider them NT players. Most people have moved on from them so when we see their names brought up again its puzzling. Especially if someone considers them the best options Greece have. Let's face it, we don't have the skill of any top 40 ranked team in the world attacking wise. Upon review, you're right. I couldn't find 33 better players in their positions, however, I did find 16 players I'd rather have on the NT than the has-beens that were mentioned earlier. Remember, I am basing this off of position : 1. Bakasetas 2. Masouras 3. Tzolis 4. Limnios 5. Pelkas 6. Mantalos 7. Vrousai 8. Fortounis 9. Galanopolous 10. Zeca 11. Tsiggaras 12. Bouchalakis 13. Vasiliadis 14. Chatzigiovanis 15. Koutsoupias 16. Lamprou Obviously, this list is fluid based on injury situation, etc...

Bakasetas 30 appearances in Europe and Turkish League, 8 goals and 8 assists for the runaway league leaders (they are 15 points clear at the top) Ninis 20 appearances in league and cup for 1 goal and 2 assists. Playing for Volos who aren't a top 6 team in Greece and comfortably missed qualifying for the playoffs. So statistically there is no contest. Bakasetas turned down a move to a top 4 Portuguese team in January (Sporting Lisbon) Ninis isn't a locked in starter for a mid-table team, so no offer to a bigger league/club is on the cards. So maybe that's what he's basing it on.... Either all of the footballing landscape in Europe has no idea or maybe you are slightly off the mark with Ninis. Honestly this is so exhausting, you fail to give any evidence as to why Ninis is better but challenge people to do the same. Tell me why Ninis is deserving of a call-up? Do you actually watch him play? Or do you watch highlights of him when he was decent and think he must be the same player? Does his stats back it up?

The truth is that Ninis and Fefta are not the solution. We saw potential in them that went unfulfilled. The national team's job is not to develop players but to make them into a team. If Ninis (who is not considered a star in the Greek league right now) and Fefta (playing in the middle east - when he was in the Super league, he was considered a good player but not a star) are not lighting it up for their clubs, what makes you think they can star for the Ethniki? Good they help? Maybe. Are they game changers - No. But like PaokCT said, these are opinions...

I get that it's your opinion. So I am not going to get worked up, as everyone is entitled to their opinion. But I just wanted to double check. You are saying that: 1. Not only should Ninis and Fetfazidis be on the squad but they should be playing for the national team? 2. Ninis and Fetfazidis are better than Bakasetas, Mantalos, and Kourbelis? Bakasetas is one of the best Greek players in Europe right now. And is linked to many strong teams this summer. He has been the captain for Greece under multiple managers too. Kourbelis also plays a different position and style than Ninis and Fetfa. 3. You say in your last paragraph that No Greek is better than Ninis or Fetfa. I can list 33 attacking players who are currently better in skill and form than Ninis or Fetfazidis.

Why not give them a chance and see what they got. What have Bakasetas, Mantalos etc, done for Greece. We haven’t made a tournament with them playing. Those 5 specific players I mentioned took us to major tournaments. If Mavrias could make this squad being a bench player in Cyprus then why not give Ninis and Fetfa another chance. They are also playing every week. I’m all for playing the young guys but when you have players like Kourbelis and Bakasetas in the side that can’t create chances then why not give Ninis and Fetfa another chance who are known to create chances and also have the skill too. They still have something to offer. Your acting like we have players better than them and we actually don’t. Give me a real reason why these players shouldn’t play in the team and why Bakasetas, Kourbelis etc should?

Alexandros Tziolis could be a shout, he's not 38 yet.

What is this, 2014? Do you really think that Ninis and Fetfazidis should be anywhere near our national team? Ninis hasn't played for the national team in 7 years. In that time span he has had 5 goals. And you want Fetfazidis as a leader? To lead what exactly? A gas station? Dude has been a major bust for "the Greek Messi". People want change for the team. Yet always call on the old guard. I am fine with Siovas and Manolas. I wouldn't have Sokrates either in the NT, he's honestly around 10th in Greek CB's depth chart. Show me any serious national team that calls up has-beens. Let's see if Charisteas has any legs under him either, or Samaras to help score some goals!

I agree 100%. These should be the guys that should lead the next generation. I believe these are the only experienced players that should be in the team.

Ninis 31, Fetfa 31, Siovas 33, Sok 33, Manolas 30, all thirty or over. Some might not be the best option for the Ethniki but as long as they are all looked at, and given the same opportunity to make the Ethniki.

https://www.gustavopoyet.com/en/ here is our coach website

Looks Like Poyet wants Monals, Siovas and Socrates part of the team. whether he chooses to call them up for the friendly remains to be seen but he definitely wants them part of the nations League and Euro.. Εθνική Ελλάδος: Θετικό το κλίμα για Μανωλά, Παπασταθόπουλο και Σιόβα (sport24.gr)