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Interesting points by everyone. I think this team is still a long way off by making a tournament in my opinion. The reason being is that this team doesn’t play it’s best players and the only way you get in the team is by paying for caps. To be honest I’m tired of hoping that the team and EPO will sort itself out every international break. I have always hoped something would change in a positive sense such as better call ups. But they’ve let us down in that aspect time and time again. There are a group of players who constantly start that continuously sabotage the team. It’s not there fault, they are just not good enough. They might try but there lack of talent is very evident. They are just a handful and if we were to replace them with more faster and skilful players then most of our problems will disappear. That’s what I truly believe. This team doesn’t have world class players apart from maybe Manolas, so that’s why I think playing your best players possible is the answer. Might not solve everything straight away but it’s a great start. Also this team have been having it hard in terms of injuries. I think if Retsos, K.Papadopoulos and Galanopoulos weren’t injury prone our teams performance would look a bit better. This is based on from what I’ve seen in the past with these guys for Greece. Also you can’t ignore players like Fountas who scores nearly every week. Also to say we haven’t got RBs is a lie, what wrong with playing Kotsiras, Kitsiou or Giannis Masouras there. Lyratzis can be another option there. These players play nearly every week so there are options.

Yeah it's a great opportunity for Poyet to get an extended amount of time by international football standards at least, with the squad. 4 matches in 10 days will shape our hopes of topping the group and locking in a playoff birth for Euro 2024. Starting XI as always has some holes, especially in midfield and to a lesser extent in attack. I'll base mine on players who have had regular game time even if they aren't my personal favourites. ------------------Vlachodimos------ Lyratzis-----Mavropanos---Chatzidiakos-----Tsimikas -----Bouchalakis*------Siopis-------Mantalos/Bakasetas** Masouras---------Giakoumakis-----------Limnios * for Bouchalakis because ideally he wouldn't start but we are so limited in central midfield I don't see a way he won't. Alexandropoulos is an option but I don't think coaches have full faith in him just yet, as is evidenced by him not being a nailed on starter for PAO. **Mantalos/Bakasetas are the only viable options I see for an attacking mid. I know Fortounis is a favourite on this forum but he unfortunately hasn't come on since returning from long-term injury and is battling niggling injuries. It'll have to be one of those 2 considering Pelkas is also injured and I'm not sure what type of shape he'll be in come NT time. Other discussion worthy positions is our attacking 3. I've gone Giakoumakis over Pavlidis but the choice really depends on what your prefer in your striker. Giakoumakis is more a scorer and plays like a traditional big man. He's a constant threat in the box and takes up good scoring positions. While Pavlidis is much more of a modern striker, will come deep to receive the ball and link up. Much better technically with the ball at his feet. And while he's not a bad scorer and has a good season stats wise, he's not as lethal in scoring positions. Tzolis is far more talented than Limnios, but he has hardly played this season so that relegates him to a role off the bench. Limnios has been a starter in a top 5 team in Holland this season, so despite not being his biggest fan and acknowledging he is limited in an attacking sense he will be one of the wingers. @PaokCT you asked and I delivered, this should keep you busy for half an hour or so?

Vlach Lyratzis Mavropanos Manolas Tsimikas Alexandropoulos Limnios Siopis Giannoulis Pavlidis Giakoumakis I know this sounds crazy, but hear me out guys. Giannoulis NEEDS to play. He started most of the year in the Prem and actually played well once he got used to the speed of things. He is too fast and crafty on the ball to not play him and we tried Tsimikas as a third cb and him as the back and that didn’t work I think keep Kosta and him on that side they will terrorize. Limnios would have to play a little further back than usual (and on his opposite side but again we have nothing else in the mid) but he has played well this year and ANYTHING is better than bouchalakis, bakasetas, or even Mantalos. Maybe u can put Masouras there maybe. Also look, we need to be honest. Giakoumakis and Pavlidis would be generational starters in any other Greek side (besides Mitroglous peak) we need our best players playing period same logic with Giannoulis. Slovenia wouldn’t not play two strikers if two strikers were obviously 2 of their best 4 players. We are not France or Italy. You play ur best players same reason Giannoulis on here. Tziolis first pick for sub and obviously this lineups needs Manolas and siopis to come back from their issues with the team.

Less than a month till our first and probably most important Nations League game. What would everyone's first 11 be?

Wow! It's been that long. Happy to be part of Phantis since the beginning. Happy Birthday Phantis. Keep up the great work Lazarus.

Ha! Thanks for the reminder (and the wishes). Yes, it's been 25 years! Wow! Time flies! Through good times and not-so-good times. 25 years is a long time (I'm tired just by thinking about it! ? Thanks to all the members that throughout these years have shared their thoughts with the rest of the community and have kept these forums an interesting place to visit and interact. Well, I'll lift up my glass tonight and drink to the Forums and all the Members that have been a part of this tight knit community. To infinity and beyond!