Dean97

I don't know I was hoping for Samaris to score more goals like that but he hasn't. He needs to play CM to score he is good at scoring just inside the box. Bouchalakis can score from anywhere, only when he has the chance too. I just don't know why we don't shoot enough around the box. Most of our goals are inside the box with free kick here and there. I'm telling you Bouchalakis can score goals thats his biggest strength and he is a midfielder.

Bouchalakis can strike a ball better than any of our midfielders. Then it's Fortounis. Samaris can't get in good shooting positions, Tachtsidis Is a bit clumsy. Bouchalakis can provide a threat with his shots. We haven't had someone in our midfield that can strike like that in a long time. The last person that could was Karagounis.

What's wrong with Siopis? I don't understand what your trying to say. Your dissapointed in him that he is playing for Olympiakos. He is a hardworking player, he is short though that's what's holding him back. For Bouchalakis I doubt he would be called up, if he plays well in the next few games he should be called up. I agree with what your saying, especially about Holebas. I saw him play against Liverpool and he looked dangerous on the left. He could have been very useful with Stafylidis on the left flank. I would love to see Ninis or Kone back in this team. They should be because Maniatis and Tziolis didn't have clubs for a while and they still got chosen twice. Donis should start and Mantalos needs to sit out. We need to put a bit of pressure on Fortounis so he can be willing to perform and I agree he is the best player when he is willing. Maybe we put Zeca attacking midfield and call-up Bouchalakis for the Estonia match.

Yeah i agree. The reason why we are improving is because of our defense mostly. http://www.agonasport.com/agonasport-allnews/magical-debut-for-bouchalakistwo-golares-with-forest Have a look at this

I dont think some of the Euro 04 side is better than some of our current players. Below is a list of the players I think of who is better on their prime: Giannakopoulos > Gianniotas Karagounis > Fortounis Seitaridis > Torosidis Nikopolidis > Karnezis Tsiartas > Mantalos Basinas > Tachtsidis Zagorakis > Samaris Nikolaidis > Karelis Manolas > Kapsis Sokratis > Dellas Stafylidis = Fyssas Mitroglou = Charisteas The thing is I was a bit too young to remember the Euro 04 side and how good they were but from watching clips and reading up on some of the players the majority of that team is better than the team we have now. We were a very defensive team that played on the counter attack. We also are like that now. In my opinion there are 2 or 3 players currently who are even better than some of the players of the 04 side. The other thing is we have talent now. Back then we did as well but back then we had a very good and smart coach who disciplined his players and had a system that worked very well and suited perfectly with the players he had. Similarly that's what's happening now. The big difference is the midfield back then took charge, now I don't see that. Our defence is still solid like it was then. We have weakened in the full back position and the wing positions. Mitroglou is as good as Charisteas but Charisteas was faster. I don't know maybe someone else can analyse the old crop and current crop better than me but I do believe we have good enough talent now to score more goals and so on. But we don't have depth.

We'll see what happens. He is 19 he has time still. He will still improve if he stays at Olympiakos.

I don't think Retsos will leave this season. Although he is young he should be playing in this team. Chatzigiovannis is an excellent prospect, looks like he is becoming a good player at PAO. I thought Inter were trying to buy Stafylidis. I'm liking the midfield now Boxou. Kourbelis is now replacing Tziolis hopefully.

That is very good news he is a good player and this is a big step I wonder if he will get any playing time.

http://m.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/saoydaravas-o-tziolhs.4793269.html Tziolis is now playing in Saudi Arabia. Does that mean he won't get chosen again in the national team?

Lykogiannis, Kourbelis and Siopis look like hardworking players that will soon replace the likes of Tzavellas, Maniatis and Tziolis. They need a good amount of playing time. Bouchalakis and Vellios are being praised in the Nottingham Forest forums. They are players who should be looked at also. Donis is playing a higher level in the Bundesliga this year and looks as though he will grab that left wing spot for good. Another thing is the promising Retsos. He looks as though he will become an iconic player in the future. I'd like to see him in the midfield, there's something about that says he will do well in the holding midfield role. He looks like a confident, hungry and ambitious player who is trying to progress as a player and person. I don't know which other young Greek player is like him with that much promise. I don't think there is. Yes Manthatis and Androutsos are trying, Limnios is another but no one is as hungry as Retsos. That's my interpretation.

Bouchalakis apparently has impressed in the 2 trial matches he has played. Hopefully he plays regularly and stays in form and earn a call-up to the national team. Siopis and Bouchalakis would be welcome additions in the starting lineup and provide more depth in the central midfield positions.

What a player he is. He is the future captain of Greece.

Ausgreek that's is also a good line up. But a 4-2-3-1 is the best formation. It's more balanced. K.Paps has to be involved somewhere. Who knows he might do better than Samaris as the holding mid. Which also let's the other mid have more freedom in attack. Whether that's Zeca, Tachtsidis or even Maniatis. Another things is we haven't got good enough wingers. A 3-5-2 can be an option. Which let's Torosidis and Stafylidis play on the flanks. I'd prefer a 3-5-2 and play our best players but the 4-2-3-1 seems to be working for us, so I wouldn't change anything now.

That's what the line up should be when Papadopoulos is fit. Those players are our best players with a few adjustments such as Mantalos for Donis and Zeca for either Samaris or Tachtsidis.

The players that did very well were: Marin Carcella Ofoe Ben Siopis Players who need to do better: Seba Retsos

I really liked the way we played. So far there are good signs. Retsos made some silly mistakes, he is still young. Siopis was running all day and general play was good. Something the ethniki needs in the midfield. Koutris held his own on the left. He is fast and has some good crosses. Romao is always consistent and did a good job at the back. Ben was on fire! Carcella and Ofoe are class. So glad they are part of the team. Marin played very well he might be a starter now which will put some pressure on Fortounis. Seba was alright but didn't do much. Kapino did alright as well. Figueras looks like he has improved from last year. As I said there are good signs so far. I'd like to see us thrash them at home.

Yeah I know but he has only played him once there and that was for 10 minutes. Then he went right back. He was also played there by Markarian against Hungary and he played well.

I agree with everything you said Argy. But I doubt Skibbe would play him there. He put him right back against Estonia and did well. He is a talented player. He and Stafylidis are needed in the starting line up. Stafylidis is becoming a key player for us and maybe a future captain.

I agree, but i am confident that when they do play they will perform.

I just realised I forgot Zeca in that list.

Well that's the best we got. Androutsos and Manthatis are the future. Androutsos is a special player and he is only 20. Manthatis will be part of this squad in the future no doubt. Same can be said for Pelkas. Also we don't have much wingers. I understand where your coming from with the Tziolis and Vellios comment. Tziolis has experience and if Kourbelis shows more form this season he should replace him in the list. Siopis can be our next Maniatis or even better. Olympiakos fans seem to like him aswell.

If Greece was to make this world cup I would like to list the players I would choose and also who the coach would choose aswell. The 23 man line up: Karnezis Kapino Torosidis Manolas Sokratis Papadopoulos Retsos Stafylidis Samaris Tachtsidis Tziolis Siopis Androutsos Fortounis Mantalos Gianniotas Pelkas Manthatis Karelis Donis Mitroglou Vellios (Anyone else) I picked this list because most of the players can play in multiple positions. I also like it I see players being tried in different positions. Also Androutsos is a young talented, up and coming player that can play in any position in the midfield, the wing and upfront. I also think he was played as full back, not sure about that one. I called up only 2 full backs. That's all we need. Also Retsos can play there. Papadopoulos I believe can play anywhere on the pitch. He is that talented. If he played keeper he would still give it his best shot and do well. You don't need 3 keepers in my opinion, 2 is enough. I called 3 tall defensive midfielders who can all help in the midfield when we vs a tougher team so they can help in aerial duels and are strong. Donis can play on the wing and striker. Only called 2 attacking midfielders because Pelkas can play there and maybe one of the central or defensive midfielders can play higher. Mitroglou is our main striker with Karelis being the back up. Gianniotas and Manthatis are true out and out wingers. The last spot can go to anyone. Keeper, defender, midfielder, winger or striker. Maybe Tzavellas goes there because of his free kicks and Stafylidis can play on the wing or central midfield. This is the list Skibbe should pick when the time arrives before the world cup.

I just saw the replay of the Greece CD Bosnia game. There was something clear that is saw with the we play and why sometimes we get frustrated. It is because we don't have some one with flair in the midfield. We need another play to link up with Fortounis because Fortounis is a smart player and in my opinion he is better player when he is playing deeper. Mantalos had a really off game. His touches were bad. Bakasetas had better touches. We also always kick it out into space instead of finding someone play off and move. We are no Spain or Barcelona but we should improve on these things. Our defending and chasing down the opponent is excellent. We need to have better wingers. We gave them a physical match. We need to control the ball longer and look for more smarter passes. Stafylidis is becoming a key player for us. Karnezis played really well and so did Zeca. Tziolis looked better than other times and Mitroglou looks fitter. Donis linked up well with Mitroglou when he came on and looks dangerous. The worst players were Mantalos and Bakasetas. Mantalos had so many bad touches and Bakasetas was not involved in the attack. Plus when you have a target man like Mitroglou who is slow the attack becomes useless. This would be my team: Karnezis Torosidis Sokratis Manolas Stafylidis Tachtsidis/Samaris Zeca/Maniatis Fortounis Mantalos/Gianniotas Mitroglou Donis Also would like to try Fortounis on the wing. Maybe Mantalos has better game behind the striker. Siopis and Kourbelis need to have a solid season to become starters in this midfield. They are both talented and the future of this team. Samaris needs to step it up.

Apparently he might go to Newcastle United. Does anyone believe this? I hope he goes and improves even more.

I don't know but I think Vellios has more to offer for the national team than Klaus. Vellios can score the spectacular as seen last season. Which was also the season Klaus didn't score a goal. Diamantakos forget about it. I thought he was going to be something special. He has been very poor lately.