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Next cycle's games : Greece - Ireland France - Greece Ireland - Gibraltar (Netherlands is not playing in June)

Yes I was very impressed with Siopis he’s a pit bull running and throwing great tackles all over the pitch. Douvikas should have got a call up for sure. He just needs that one decent chance and he will finish like he did in a NL match vs Kosovo. I like Pavlidis he works hard finds the space but there’s been a number of matches where he has not been sharp. Last friendly was one of his worst performances and he looked really frustrated. We need him to score especially vs these weaker countries. The guy scores some spectacular goals in Holland so I expect more from him. If we get our strikers scoring at just a decent rate then we will be really difficult to beat as our mids are producing goals too.

Douvikas - not sure why he wasn't called up. He has been in good form. Tzolis - Just got recalled to Norwich, just started getting game time Tzavellas is a mystery. Overall though, I think most of us would pick the same 18 guys. It's the last few which we question.

Tzolis played for the U21 NT in the qualifier against Belarus in which he also scored the NT's only goal. That's why he has not played for the senior NT.

Only players born after 1/1/2004 are eligible to play for U19. Konstantelias and Koulierakis were born in 2003, so they can't play.

Right now there is no advantage between Greece, Netherlands and Ireland. We have to assume that everyone is going to beat Gibraltar and everyone is going to lose to France so even though the Netherlands and Ireland have a loss we are all on level playing ground right now. The advantage will occur in June between Greece and Ireland and who ever can get 3 points. A draw will not help us at all. The draw will benefit Ireland if they come into our stadium and take a point. In a dream scenario Greece beat Ireland and somehow pull off a miracle draw in France, that would really give us a huge advantage.

Greece beat Ireland 1-0 and are headed to the Euros!

Agreed. Must win vs Ireland at home. They have a very young and determined team. No easy slouch but if we win , and get at least one point the following two games vs France and Netherlands, we are sitting pretty

I don't know why Douvikas and Tzoliz were not called up it makes no sense unless there were reasons I'm not aware of. Poyet now has his core players he's comfortable with but more tinkering needs to be done on the wings and Douvikas needs to be called up in June. We can also see what a difference Fortounis makes on the field when he's playing. The Line up for me looked so much more dangerous against Lithuania then it did against Gibraltar. Siopis has really impressed me with his work ethic, I also thought Rota had a strong game. Mantolas i don't mind in the midfield position since that is our weakest position i think he can do a decent job there.

The matches between Ireland and Netherlands will determine our fate that's why its crucial we get 3 points at home against Ireland in June.

France won at Ireland 1 nil. Ireland came close to equalizing but Maignan made a huge save. Great result for Greece. We will have to be ready for Ireland they look much improved recently and played well today. In other group action Holland won 3 nil over Gibraltar.

No manager was willing to give Mantalos a chance as a central mid. Finally, Gus did that, not straight away either and with Petros' speed and smarts handles the position with ease. This new dynamic benefits the Ethniki with more speed in the middle of the park, especially as it seems that the likes of Galanopoulos and Alexandropoulos have gone to an outerspace journey.

Bakasetas has definitely produced good performances and contributed goals since the last wcup qualifiers and Nations League. I was a huge critic of his as well but what he lacks in technical ability he makes up with his work rate on the pitch and you can see how much he loves to play for Greece. I agree with you regarding Pelkas & Mantalos I think for the friendly tomorrow we need to see others in the midfield. Though I must say Mantalos has turned in better performances for the Ethniki recently

I agree, he may not do everything technically sound and he at times is very frustrating to watch but he's starting to turn out to be a leader and and produce regularly for this team. So for the time being he deserves to be a starter. I more then anyone here has trashed him but he is starting to prove me wrong and i need to give him credit for how he's turned it around for the NT. I see the passion in him he has for the NT. In saying this i still don't think we are starting our absolute best line up. I think our midfield needs to change although Siopis is really working his ass off, and i think we have better options then Pelkas and Mantolas. I'm also hoping Fortounis starts to see regular playing time and think in tomorrows friendly would be a perfect opportunity to give him a chance. No need to have Pelkas and Mantalos play tomorrow we need to slowly move away from them and keep them as a bench option.

Turkey will most likely qualify directly. Their group is terrible. Which then makes us the highest seed so I believe we will host the semis and final if we make it

Greece have a playoff spot locked up along with Georgia, Turkey and Kazakhstan. If we need the playoffs the two matches would be played in Greece.

Solid win first up, seems we never really got out of 2nd gear and still managed to score three and hit the woodwork another 3 times. On another day we score 5-6. Not too much more to take out of it but the 3 points. France beating the Netherlands is good news, it means assuming we beat Ireland in Greece in June (we also play France in June but we assume that's a loss and anything we get out of it is a bonus) we would be leading the Dutch heading into our match-up in September. The Dutch don't play in June due to the Nations League finals. It will be important going to the Netherlands and being 3 points clear of them in September, meaning a draw will keep ourselves clear of them heading into the last 4 matches. Schedule has helped us, and France sweeping the group will also help. We can keep our noses in-front of the Netherlands until they come to Greece in our 2nd last match. A lot of water to go under the bridge until then, but if we take care of business v Ireland (not easy) and Gibraltar we are in with a fighting chance to pinch 2nd spot.

Bakesetas will be an automatic starter. I'm not saying i agree with this at all but to be honest the last campaign he produced for us regularly and was a big part why we won the Nations League. You can tell he has the Greek passion and he wants to win with the NT team. I need to give credit where credit is due. In saying that i would love to see fortounis in as I think he can become the main player that controls the game as his talent is miles ahead of players like Bakesetas and company and has the skill to really control the pace of the game and break down opposing defenses. Give Fortounis some capable wingers and a decent striker and i think the dynamic of this team drastically changes. Just my two cents