Bananas

Agree Blackhawk, but I can't see how it could've gone any other way. 12 players were brought in, and a lot of dead wood was released. The only thing I'm not happy about is that the team still seems to lack chemistry. One week we can be playing well, and the next it's like their sleep walking. The performance in this game was poor. If you didn't know any better, you'd think you were watching Beta Ethniki standard. The ball was like a pinball most of the game. Disagree about Tzavellas. Last season I wanted him gone really bad. He wasn't playing well and then the crap with the manager, I was happy for him to go. But from what I've this season, he's transformed. Playing really well. Comfortable on the ball. He's the only defender who when he has the ball at his feet, doesn't seem to panic. I'd go so far as to say he's our best defender overall at the moment. Skondras has really regressed. Not sure what is going on with him but if he's not careful he'll be out of the team at this rate. On the plus side this season, Pelkas, Mystakidis, Charisis, Cimirot, Konstantinidis all seem like they'll be good squad players for the foreseeable future. Even Korovesis the last few weeks has been solid. Rodriges has been good overall. And Jairo seems like he's actually ready to play ball now. The squad is young which is also good. Mak overall, has had an excellent season even if he has been poor recently. Maybe he needs a spell.

Depends Pontos. Other games I've seen we created lots of chances. But that was when Charisis was in the middle. Anyway, it's late here in Austria. Gotta get to bed.

Tziolis cops a lot of flack but it's for "side ways passes" or "he's slow" or "back passes". That stuff doesn't actually bother me. What bothers me is that when he passes he doesn't then look to get into space to give the player with the ball options. After he passes he generally just stops. Kick and run!! Kick and run!! Soccer 101, at least to me anyway. Where the heck is Kace anyway ?

Well that was a ... how shall we say ... limp performance. Terrible. If you didn't know better, you'd think it was just a training session. No energy, no cohesion. Skondras very poor. Costa was surprisingly decent. Tzavellas good, one of the few that looked comfortable with the ball and generally covered space well. Korovesis decent. Tziolis is Tziolis. Cimirot below average compared to other games. Up front, everyone was quiet. I think without Charisis in the middle there was too much of a gap between the midfield and the attackers. Cimirot tried to push forward, but couldn't quite do the job. I don't think Cimirot is technical enough to play that number 8 role consistently. Pelkas didn't help either. Should've come deeper and tried to run the midfield. Did Tzandaris touch the ball ? ;)

Next player that gives the ball away needlessly ... POW ... right in the kisser.

About damn time. Mystakidis on. Although why Rodrigues is coming off I don't know. Pelkas has been quiet, crazy goal aside.

What is up with Skondras ? He was so good last season. One of the best players in the squad. Then again, Tzavellas was for the tip last season and this year he's been very solid.

I'm watching on laola.

Who can I hear tapping periodically. Barba Yianni cleaning his pipa ?

Uggggh.

That says it all. Attempts on goal by Panionios 3, 1 on target. PAOK 4, 2 on target. And here comes Tzandaris.

Seriously, Skondras needs to come off. He looks really unfit and can't stop fouling.

Jairo for Mak. Fair enough, he's been quiet today. Then again, the whole team has been poor except for Tzavellas and Korovesis who have been just ok.

Yeah poor performance pash. The passing has been atrocious. Can't even string 3 passes together.

Skondras trying some Graeco Roman wrestling there.

Generally poor first half. Very lax first touches and passing under not much pressure. 6 seconds stoppage time ... that's new.

1 - 1, nice goal by Panionios.

We sure like giving the ball away cheaply.

Pelkas > Berbatov ... at least so far this season anyway. I'll be happy for the Voulgaro to prove me very very very wrong.

I would like to see the same back 4 players more than 2 games in a row ....

Sounds like an interesting move Pontos. Until we can stabilise our defense, the team will remain inconsistent. In a parallel universe quality CB's exist, that choose to come to PAOK instead of better leagues. These players also happen to under 30, match fit and playing regularly for their team.

I thought you like them on their knees. I stand corrected.

http://forums.phantis.com/topic/14652-rival-teams/?p=262973 Don't take the Ogre away from me.

Out with Berbatov. He's had enough chances as far as I am concerned. His attitude stinks.

Just saw the highlights. We are set pieces specialists.