Dean97

I totally agree. We need a proper coach with a solid resume. Can’t have coaches of the likes of Skibbe, JVS, Anastasiadis etc that haven’t done anything in there club coaching careers… Ivan was ok for the most part but totally bottled it in these important qualifiers. Results need to speak for themselves and he didn’t produce that for us. Total shame. We have a talented generation coming through. We need a coach who has done things in European football that is in the range of the EPO budget. We still need to address the midfield situation. Bakasetas has done good for us and has given us goals but he isn’t the player to lead this team to a tournament. Everyone knows why. Kourbelis and Mantalos I don’t even know why they are still here… Also we need to start addressing our defence aswell. We should be looking at younger players continuously and should be hiring a coach that has managed at high levels around Europe. I knew there was a certain ceiling with Ivan but was hoping it wouldn’t be the case. Time for a new coach. Time to get rid of Kourbelis, Mantalos Bakasetas etc. Time for the new generation to come in and make things happen with a coach that will enhance their abilities and take them to a major tournament. The talent is there for it.

Postecoglou would be the right fit in my opinion. With his playing style and the young generation coming through, it will be the right move. Also the corruption has to stop with certain player selections. Especially the older players.

I am so thankful for Ivan calling up and playing our most talented young guys but at the same time stuck with the failed older generation that haven’t gotten the team to any tournaments the past 10 years. On top of that his coaching also failed this team. The failure in qualifying and this team he put out in this game told me everything I needed to know. He has to leave. Thank you but it’s time to move on. We should’ve topped the group in my opinion. Also thank you to players like Bakasetas, Masouras, Siopis, Mantalos and Kourbelis but you’re no longer needed in this team. Let’s start over with a coach that will help this new young generation and let’s finally get work.

I also prefer Mandas too. I’d put Tsiftsis in based on current form and it should be rewarded but Mandas I agree is more talented. I’d rather stick to Greek players around the world and get them there citizenship. Tete is good though. Haven’t been a big fan of Michailidis defensively but he has a great pass and shot for a defender. We are producing more strikers lately more than CBs interestingly. We used to be known for having great CBs now we can say we are producing great strikers.

I really hope that we call up some new faces. But I don’t think Ivan will do it. This team needs youth involved. Also Pantelidis has been performing really well for Kifisia. Kyziridis also doing very well for Hearts. Both not really world class but I can see that they can improve the Greek team. The generation of Mantalos, Bakasetas ect are not helping this team reach the next level. We need players with close control and talent. I don’t see why Tzimas and Kostoulas don’t get called up. Both look ready for this team even in the limited amount of game time they’ve had. When they’ve played for Brighton they’ve looked great. Greece is starting to produce a lot of good strikers. Theres around 8-10 players with 5 playing at the highest level. Theres even some wonderkids coming through in the Greek u19s. That’s what we need I just hope we can get some midfielders coming in with high potential. Mouzakitis is a great start. We have to also reward inform players. If it was up to me I’d go with this list currently. Tzolakis, Vlachodimos, Tsiftsis, Vagiannidis, Kostiras, Retsos, Koulierakis, Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos, Tsimikas, Giannoulis, Mouzakitis, Triantis, Zafeiris, Ntoi, Konstantelias, Karetsas, Kaloskamis, Kyziridis, Pantelidis, Tzolis, Ioannidis, Pavlidis, Douvikas, Tzimas, Kostoulas We have nothing to play for but we should start building for the next competition. Try different things and get new faces in.

We've got a decent squad, but depth is lacking in midfield, particularly at CDM/CM. Up front, we're fine, with players like Ioannidis and Tzimas impressing. I think Ioannidis should be the one starting but that’s me. With Tzimas even taking his place when the time is right. On the wings, we have options like Karetsas, Kostoulas, Konstantelias, Tzolis, and Pnevmonidis. In the younger players, Mouzakitis, Zafeiris, Triantis, and Alexandropoulos stand out. However, it's time to move on from experienced players like Kourbelis, Mantalos, and Siopis. A new captain is needed, someone with top-level experience. Tzolis and Mavropanos are potential candidates, with Koulierakis also in the mix. Bakasetas's time might be up; while he's passionate, his overall play hasn't been impactful enough. Since Ivan took charge, the young players have stepped up, showing promise in attack. However, individual mistakes have cost us, and the older players haven't consistently delivered. A clear-out might be necessary to make way for younger players and bring in fresh talent from decent leagues.

Everything you said is correct. What’s so annoying is when they start hyping up for the World Cup next year and then you realise that Greece won’t be part of it again. 10 years straight and he we haven’t qualified. If they keep the same old guard like Bakasetas, Kourbelis etc then things will be the same like you said. We literally have to clear these old players out. What’s the point of having them? These new young guys that have come in have made Greece look like an real attacking force. Our team was even younger against Scotland in the nations league and that’s been our best result and performance in like 5 years.

Ioannidis is not bad. Don’t know why some criticise him. He puts himself in great positions and makes great runs. He created the most chances in the match. Ok he didn’t score which he should’ve but it wasn’t as clear cut as some think. He made the assist. Thank God we have Tzolis aswell. Rota in for Vagiannidis made no sense to me at all. Vagiannidis could’ve been useful going forward. But players like Kourbelis, Siopis, Mantalos and later on Bakasetas should be out of the team. Masouras aswell. There time is up. All players over 30 haven’t gotten us to a major tournament. Should never change the winning team that beat Scotland 3-0 in the the nations league.

I hope players like Bakasetas, Kourbelis, Mantalos and that age group choose to retire from the national team. Not saying it’s there fault for today game alone but they haven’t helped or lead this team, over the course of 10 years to any major tournament. Just play the youth now and build a solid team for the future because the talent is there.

Nothing but 3 wins now. I hope we can do it. 🙏

I also don’t see what Kourbelis has done so special in the last 3 years either. Ever since leaving Panathinaikos he has hasn’t done anything significant for the clubs he’s played for. Alexandropoulos is more of a box to box than a defensive midfielder and statistically has better defensive contributions this season. Also better going forward with the ball. Just look at both players goals they both have scored in their careers in the past. Alex has better quality goals. Not saying Alex is the answer but I would say he’s better and he’s the same size. You’d rather go for the better option. Also Triantis 2 goals and 2 assists this season plays in America ok, but still contributes more as a player in both defence and attack. All 3 don’t play at the highest level but we have to make improvements in that area. Point is we have other players of the same size that can do the job he is doing and possibly better. Seen too many errors from an experienced player. Mouzakitis is better than all of them I agree.

Also there are players in the Greek league who play CM that can be more serviceable in midfield for Greece.

Theres already 3 DMs I can name that are better than Kourbelis. Alexandropoulos, Triantis and Liatsikouras (potentially) are better and have more height to them aswell. Siopis isn’t the answer although he has high stamina and a lot of running in him. We had less height in the game against Scotland in the nations league and won comfortably in there home stadium. Mouzakitis awareness and intelligent positioning helped us that game and his attacking ability and playmaking is also superior to all of our mids. Zafeiris covered a lot of ground that game too which is important to note. You never change a winning team. That team in the nations league game that won 3-0 should’ve been the starting lineup going forward.

I don't think we should fully blame the coach. This team is mostly made up of youngsters, and they're the future – and the future looks bright. I really think Kourbelis is the weak link in this team. He's declined a lot, and Masouras is slowly declining as well. We used to have a great defense and a captain with loads of experience at the top level. We're missing those aspects. The coach has a ceiling, but isn't totally to blame. The only thing to blame is the selection of Kourbelis. I'm not singling him out – he's been okay in the past, but nothing more. This is a wake-up call for the Greek league. There needs to be a rule in place regarding the number of foreigners being signed. All teams, except Olympiakos, need to start integrating young Greeks with talent. It would benefit their clubs financially and help the national team in the long run. I still think we should've started the same team that beat Scotland in the Nations League. Out with the players who are 30 years old, and use the team that beat Scotland as the starting 11 going forward. Then, tinker when things need to be tinkered with. I'm disappointed that this could mean we miss another major tournament. If Scotland somehow miraculously draws against Belarus, there's still a chance – that is, if we win our remaining three games.

I agree. Now that you mentioned it I believe we do play better with him not saying Tsimikas is bad or anything but I think Giannoulis adds something else to our play especially going forward and links up well with Tzolis. I’m hoping Triantis can he useful for us. Time will tell.