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The results speak for themselves. We’ve conceded 9 and scored 0 first half goals in 4 matches. If he stays and Soc, Manolas and Torosidis leave we will be Pot 5/6 team by the time WC qualifiers start. Not starting Manolas, leaving Torosidis out, changing goalies like he’s changing shirts. Lol. Instability is off the scale. The coach has to be shown the door.

Wow, Bakasetas starting. He was a disaster in Lietchtenstein. No form, no confidence. Maybe this match will change his luck. Is there other option? He should be calling up Lamprou, Limnios and Torosides. Can you do that? Next match is serious. Coach’s ass is on the line. Can you imagine if Armenia score 2 in the first half.

^J1078, agree 100%. I read that article, good read. Sums up current feelings. What is most concerning is the mentality of the players going into the Armenia match. Can't be great. Some would be thinking can't wait for this to be over so I can start my holidays. Coach talks about self belief and we are team and individuals don't matter and positions don't matter and blah, blah, blah. Player get belief when team gets results.

Hard not to be critical. This coach needs 45mins and for the team to cop goals in the first half to work out what is needed. His track record so far is 1 W, 0 D, 3L with 8 goals conceded all in the 1st half in 4 matches. We dropped 2 points in Zeneca. Sorry if offend anyone, but if we don’t beat Armenia then it’s time to find the next coach for this NT.

How often does Greece play Italy? Surely, it will be sold out or close to it. I think the fans will come. It's an important game for us. Team will be ready to fight to then end. At 26:34, reporter mentioned that pre sales are 12,000 Starting line up prediction 4 2 3 1 Vlachodimos Zeca (RB), Soc, Manolas, Koutris or Stafylidis (LB) Samaris, Kourbelis (DMs) Masouras or Bakasetas (RW) Fortounis (CAM) Kolovos or Bakasetas (LW) Koulouris (F)

Not true. Turkey qualified from Pot 5 in 1996 and Latvia qualified from Pot D in 2004. But, you are right it’s not going to be easy. We will have a clearer picture after the next 2 matches.

Yes, we should, but we haven’t done it in 5 years. We shouldn’t underestimate Finland. They are no pushover. But, yes we need to beat them. Pjanic will miss 2. Hoping they drop points with Finland. I think we are underestimating Italy. They missed out on WC2018 and are on a mission. They are a very compact team. They will not expect to lose to us. I would not be disappointed with a draw.

If we beat Italy then I would say it's possible. But Italy were solid vs Finland who are no mugs. Interesting to see how the team lines up when we get players back from injury.

Nothing better than seeing a gutsy performance from your NT. I like what I'm seeing with this Ethniki and looks like we have options in defence, midfield and forward. Squad depth is looking better. It's a start that gives hope and optimism. Can't wait for Italy on 8 June in Athens. Hope EPO organises 1 or 2 friendlies end of May. Greek Super League scheduled to finish 6 May.

We've had our chances. We desperately need a goal before HT.

Good read. https://m.sport24.gr/Columns/themis-kaisaris/ethnikh-kati-san-flasaki.5471344.html Pretty good analysis of the match, the players and where we are the minute. A lot of positives from the win but we need to put in perspective. It was Lietchenstein. The campaign and tougher opponents will define who can and can’t.

I'm guessing. I think Anastasiadis got the tactics right with Liechtenstein, except for starting Bakasetas who has now gone 20 matches without a goal. Time to give Koulouris and Donis more chances in starting line up.

Mitroglou hasn't played much at club level looks out of sorts. At his best, he is our best striker. The team will be set up differently in Sarajevo and I can see us playing cautious and using counter attacks. Donis will be handy on the counter. A draw won't be a bad result. Siovas and Kourbelis were both good today. Possible starters for Bosnia match ? 4 2 3 1 Vlachodimos Bakakis-Soc-Siovas-Koutris Kourbelis-Zeca Donis-Samaris-Fortounis Koulouris Masouras sub

These line-ups are what's rumoured Option 1 3 5 2 (Paschalakis) Vlachodimos Siovas-Kourbelis-Risvanis Bakakis-Samaris-Zeca-Koutris Fortounis Mitroglou-Koulouris Option 2 4 2 3 1 (Paschalakis) Vlachodimos Bakakis-Siovas-Risvanis-Koutris Samaris-Zeca Masouras-Fortounis-Donis Mitroglou

One rumour is that Anastasiadis may play a 3 5 2 with Kourbelis as the CB and Siovas-Risvanis either side and 2 forwards Mitroglou-Koulouris. Midfielders will be LW Bakakis and RW Koutris and CM Zeca-Samaris and Fortounis the AM. If this is the case, it will be something new.

Likely starters was Πασχαλάκης, Μπακάκης, Παπασταθόπουλος, Σιόβας, Κούτρης, Ζέκα, Σάμαρης, Φορτούνης, Μασούρας, Δώνης and Μήτρογλου. Strike out Παπασταθόπουλος and replace with Ρισβάνης or Κολοβέτσιος ? http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/podosfairo/klithike-stin-ethniki-o-kolobetsios-bgainei-nok-aout-o-papastathopoulos/3969265

Can't see him staying at Roma next year. Likely destination will be Man Utd but Arsenal may get him. Now that would be something. Soc and Manolas at Arsenal. https://au.eurosport.com/football/transfers-2/2018-2019/euro-papers-manchester-united-and-arsenal-lead-roma-raid-for-summer-transfers_vid1176555/video.shtml

The current squad has 7 players who have played 1 or 0 games, 11 players who played 5 or less games and 15 who have played less then 10. The only experience on the team with more than 35 games is Soc, Mitroglou, Fortounis and Samaris. We need to find goal scorers other than Mitroglou.

Tzimikas I think is injured. Bouzoukis and Limnios got called up to the U21s. The core group he's picked are from 2013-2015 U21s who are now in their mid 20s. I can understand the logic. I would have liked to seen Lamprou and Chatzigiovanis, but they are just 21 and will get their chance sooner or later. The pick I like is the Aris LB Valerianos. Strongly built lad, takes players on, pacey and can get in a good cross. That's what we need.

Are you sure? England pays £1500 for winning a match qualifier / friendlies £1000 for a draw £500 for a defeat Then there are bonuses for making it through to major tournaments, and even bigger bonuses making out of the Group stages etc. For countries like Greece, there would be bonuses if team make it to Euro. Countries like England, Germany and Spain would start paying bonuses once they get out of the Group stages.

I have a hunch that the new coach is going to go with youth. I expect to see L. Lamprou, Koutris, Tzimikas, Galanopoulos, Limnios, Hatzigiovanis and maybe Mavropanos (if not injured) come into the squad. He made it clear when overlooking Lazaros for the Estonia match. Team has been hurt by injuries at key times; K Pap, Retsos, Donis, Stafylidis and to a lesser extent Manolas & Soc missed key matches. NT cannot continue to play slow tempo football against weak opposition. If we do, expect to see more of the same. Actually, this has been problem for 10-12 years. Difference now is we are losing these matches 1-0. Weak teams park the bus and embarrass us on the counter. When was the last time we scored 3 goals? I see progress, but it will be slow. I also have a hunch that Soc will retire if we don’t make it to Euro 2020. We can’t lose to Bosnia away. A win vs Italy would be a huge boost. We will need to do better vs Finland and the return legs v Bosnia and Italy will determine our fate if we don’t stuff it up before then.

Our problem, we can compete with elite nations but we lose to Pot 4 and 5 teams. That’s a psychology issue. We need to hire a shrink.

^Dean, re: Donis I agree. Donis is indeed an astute coach, not only tactically and in his understanding of the game, players, but also in the demeanour, and psychology - possibly the best Greek football coach going round. I can see why Pao is going well. This is a real good show. Ο Ντέμης σχολιάζει με Δώνη, Κατσουράνη και Μπασινά την εικόνα της ΑΕΚ με τον Παναιτωλικό ● 25.11.18

Group J: Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland Good result! Bosnia and Herzegovina won't be easy but anything can happen in this Group. Even Italy are beatable.

We need a team from Pot A that we can cause a surprise. Switzerland, England, France, Belgium are on another level. Netherlands are coming strong and won’t want to miss Euro again. Portugal under Santos are difficult to beat. I think if the stars align, players that are injured get fit, then we can cause an upset with either Italy, Spain, Croatia, Poland. But not in our current state and inability to score. Notwithstanding the coaches decisions, In the Estonia game we were extremely unlucky. Even Hungary who ended 2nd in the Group, dropped into Pot 4.