Bananas

Stats can be misleading when you don't have enough data, but over a season stats don't lie. We haven't had a problem scoring goals. We have a problem conceding. If I can see it, that should be obvious to the team (you'd think). Hopefully we strengthen the backline and DM positions. A lot of of our early season success was on the back of solid games by Meite but you can't rely on one player being fit and in form all the time. Work also needs to be done up front. Zivkovic being out has been a problem. His usual replacement Despotov hasn't worked out (injuries and form). Now there is the question of Giakoumakis. Keep? Look for someone else? Again the same question of relying on one player to be fit and in form all season. Jeremejeff is not a striker to rely on - he's a throw him off the bench if you need a goal kind of player.

Congratulations to OFI. It is refreshing to see a team other than the big 4 win the cup (even though I say it with a sad heart). And good luck to them in Europe. As for us, it's all gone off the rails since our EL campaign ended. Injuries, lack of form. The team just isn't clicking and has dropped multiple gears. It's a shame not only because of the 100 years but also because a couple of months ago when the team was doing well, I really believed we were the best team in the league when at our best. I really thought after our EL campaign ended that the players would have time to refresh and would be firing for the play offs. Alas, not to be. The club has to now sit back and work out what's gone wrong.

Massive rotation, good to see the boys win easily. Hopefully Konstantelias is all right for the cup game this week. If we get a fine for the pyro show I will be surprised. Let's see if common sense prevails.

Obviously Lucescu has his reasons, but not sure why you wouldn't throw Pelkas in for the last 20 or so minutes. He's got that ability to nab a goal with his running and energy. Our defense has been and will continue to be our weak spot. If we can sort it out, it will help immensely as in general our offense deliver and do their job.

Also good for us (PAOK) in the league as it means PAO and AEK will be playing just as many games as us through the year. No rest for them by not having European commitments.

That's how you do it!

Big win to secure european football (plus $$$$). Yes we played badly but isn't it this way every year with these qualifying games. These games are about one thing and that is the result and we got it. If they had a half decent striker we could've lost by 3 goals on aggregate. Then again we could argue we don't have a decent striker also. Shout out to Pavlenka who surprised in a very good way. Agree with pash's comment re Kotarski and Pavlenka.

I do hope Konstantelias stays. Firstly agree with Blackhawk that we could get more for him. Second and more important, he isn't easily replaceable. I think if he left and we get some whatever transfer we'd lack up front. We're already down a proper striker for 3 seasons now and rely on the front 3 behind the strikers to create. Losing him would be too much. I don't want a repeat of Koulierakis where once he left we didn't replace him with an adequate player and it showed last season.

I'm happy there aren't even stronger teams. These are all winnable match ups assuming we show up. Too many players last season regressed so let's see what pre-season brings. Hopefully some freshness. We can't rely on Camara to save us all the time. So if we win this round, I think we're guaranteed Conference League group stage. Am I right? P.S. I have a feeling (call it a hunch) Dutch Eagle is really kassiesa in disguise.

So it's 12 million per season with Nova Sports which isn't bad. I'm guessing the bonus is for making the playoffs. I forget, how much were the other mob offering?

We got to where we deserve and even that is a stretch (in other words pali kala). We have been mediocre all season occasionally having decent spells. At this level it won't cut it. Time to regroup and think about next season. Very few players in the squad are playing to their level.

Disappointing result but it sounds like the better team won. Overall I would say we achieved our goal i.e. to qualify to the next round since we are not a top 8 team. Anything from here on is a bonus. Still, our poor form in the last couple of months is a worry.

Man, what a saga with Meite. Overall I'm pleased we got him with the caveat he can be the same player he was by the time the play offs begin and with a second caveat that we are hopefully not too far from the top. If it doesn't work out for whatever reason, it's only a loan spell.

Well this has to be the biggest blunder in a while. I mean we generally do two or three major blunders per season but this one is up there. As to where this puts us, we simply can't afford to lose any more points. It puts the pressure on in derbies where previously we could get away with a draw (or even a loss) now draw is minimum and more likely a win is required. As to Rasvan, I'm with @paokarag4 on this. The players that left weren't adequately replaced. You put in a fit and in form Koulierakis (who is a winner), Meite and a CF of the quality the 3 Athens teams have and we win easily not only today, but we also I believe win the last couple of derbies. Of the transfers this season only Camara has worked out (and very well mind you - it's scary to think how many more points we would have dropped without him). All of the rest, meh.

Oh crap. I didn't realise the extent of what happened. I haven't checked the footage or followed the story. Based on what you're saying it sounds like Lucescu got baited and messed up big time. I'll have to check the footage ... if I can be bothered. This is tiresome.