Dean97

I've always us to try a 3 at the back system. But it won't happen. If we put Androutsos and Kourbelis or Zeca behind our attacking midfielder it would benefit the midfield instead of having slower midfielders. Boxou could be right about Bouchalakis being slow like Tachtsidis but I don't think he would be that slow. He should have been tested it's friendly. I like the idea of a 3-4-3. I also think that I'd Mitroglou is not playing well for club then Manos if in form should be given a chance. It's also important that we play our most in form players this time around.

I have no clue. Spanoudakis has joined Vitoria in Portugal, he is another I'm not sure about. They would both be an upgrade to the national team.

Ah farout I hope not. The more you think of it in that way it will probably happen. If he is a smart guy he would realise why we didn't qualify and what he needs to do change it. But I guess he is stubborn. He is only going to lose his job is he plays Tziolis and Tzavellas. They sabotage the team without them wanting to. Imagine a team like this: Karnezis Lykogiannis Manolas Sokratis Stafylidis Zeca Androutsos Donis Fortounis Fetfatzidis Mitroglou Subs Samaris, Bouchalakis, Barkas, Gianniotis, Karelis, Lazaros, Mantalos, Retsos, Bakakis, Pelkas, Kourbelis, Manos. This should be our team. Androutsos comes in to add energy with Zeca. Fortounis is our best attacking midfielder who looks very good in pre season, fast and technical wingers who can take on defenders and assist Mitroglou. I believe Manos will be in the team if he can score goals this season. Tziolis and Tachtsidis don't need to be in the team. They are too slow and the latter is out of form. Samaris needs to sit out and earn the trust. Lykogiannis can take over Torosidis who are similar in physical attributes. But I'm concerned that Lyko hasn't got a strong weak foot. In any case this would be the ideal line up going into the nation's cup.

Yeah I agree. It's sad that we were not part of the world cup but hopefully things turn around in the nations cup. I'm not holding my breath because of Skibbe and Tziolis but hopefully we can somehow produce good performances and results.

Nice to see you back Boxou. Where have you been? I agree about Tsimikas. He is one to look out for. All I hope for is that we don't see Tzavellas and Tziolis anymore. We need to move on from them. Our experienced players should be Karnezis, Sokratis, Torosidis (it might be time for him to step aside) Samaris and Mitroglou. Apparently Papadopoulos will play in the 2nd division with Hamburg. This the time for Retsos and Mavropanos to shine.

For this season I am hoping big things for him at Olympiakos. He is by far a better midfielder than Tziolis and can actually shoot, unlike our current midfielders. I'd also like to see Androutsos get chances. His natural role is a number 8 and he would provide the energy we need in our slow midfield. Galanopoulos can also provide energy.

I couldn't agree more ausgreek. How you been? You've been missing for a while.

What about Lazaros Lamprou? Is he in PAOKs plans for the upcoming season?

The thing is he didn't call up Bakakis to play right back also. Pelkas and Gianniotas we unused subs in the first game where one of them should of started. Our formation was so defensive that we still copped more goals. Zeca and Stafylidis and Zeca playing on the wings. I agree @J1078 about how we need a midfielder who can do control the game. Fortounis needs to drop back a bit and not play so high up. Mantalos can play there.

I agree about Manolas. With him in the first game against Croatia we could of drew I believe. Tzavellas and Maniatis were horrible and Tziolis and Samaris were lost in the midfield. With one or two changes we could of drew. Bakasetas is useless with the national team and I don't know why. Hopefully with the nation's league we see some players from the u21s coming up and claiming a spot in the 11. We can't see Bakasetas starting along with Tziolis and Tzavellas all the time.

FFS!

He will be with the squad July 1st. So will Lazaros.

Damn. I was hoping they would go all the way.

Our luck is never in favour for us against South American teams as well. I agree with that we do well against African teams.

I don't think Kourbelis is the answer in my opinion. I also like your line up and it is the most realistic one. I believe Fortounis is our best number 10 on his day. Pelkas can certainly compete with him. Are we ever going to see Mantalos play in his natural position? I'd really like to see Manthatis step up and grab a spot in the Olympiakos starting 11 and even be called up. I believe this might be Lazaros last season of great form as he is 33. Fetfatzidis can be in the team as now Skibbe has no choice but to recognize him. To conclude, we need a number 8, someone who is capable of getting the job done in defence and attack. Bouchalakis has a chance to take it. I'd even put Fortounis there. Some one who can be just in front of Zeca (who should be the holding mid) to carry the ball and play along with the attacking midfielder to create opportunities for other attackers and themselves. But we won't see this as Skibbe wants to play and holding player there as we have seen in the past.

I couldn't agree more Nick. I also believe we need a much more confident keeper who plays off his line. A player like Mat Ryan or Manuel Neuar. Karnezis doesn't command his box enough and looks nervous at times. I totally agree about having a number 8 next to either Zeca or Samaris.

Can someone who knows on this forum explain how this nation's league works and what happens with normal qualifiers?

I'm not sure there should be one as the nation's cup starts in September.

I am also in favor of playing Samaris again. Tachtsidis needs to be taken care of. He has so much talent. I don't know why he is playing the way he is now. If we play a 4-3-3 who will be holding. I don't want Samaris to because we've seen it many times. Also the only goal he scored was when he played higher up. Zeca needs to be in free role where he is always moving around, like pressing, tracking back, making runs. He has the energy and pace to do it and cause problems for the other teams. Tachtsidis can offer more height in the box for goal scoring chances. That's if he doesn't play the holding role. We also the goal against Hungary and the assist against Belgium. So the number 6 position has to go to someone else or maybe we are better off and putting Tachtsidis there. I'd really like to see Samaris further up in midfield.

There is no doubt Tachtsidis is a good midfielder. His vision and passing doesn't compare to other midfielders in my opinion. I also believe he needs decent wingers to pass to. But he hasn't been showing that he is a good midfielder lately with his performances. I wish he was more consistent like with games @georgelaz has said. If we can get Tachtsidis playing well consistently, I believe we can be competitive with any team. He has the size and is strong, he just needs to be consistent in his midfield game such as his passing, shooting and ball control. I believe we are lucky to have a player like him now that Karagounis is retired.

Haha no doubt. You see the problem is he has a trust in them. He dosent want to know about Siopis. The reason being he hasn't played him.

I heard next month he will be an Arsenal player... https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/971660/Arsenal-transfer-news-Sokratis-Papastathopoulos-deal-agreed-highlights-video/amp

I wonder why they haven't announced it yet with him holding up the jersey. Fetfatzidis is most likely already signed. I believe Fortounis, Lazaros and Fetfatzidis would be a good combination in a midfield 3 behind the striker.

Is it actually official? Also what's going on with Sokratis? In other news we could be seeing a lot of young talented Greek players playing for Panathinaikos. This is from Agona Sport.

Unfortunately I see it happening. Hopefully not.