Dean97

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.

I'd have to say Klaus, Diamantakos and Vellios are equally bad. But if I had to chose one of them in my team it would be Vellios. I would put Donis on the wing. Since we don't have anyone better. I'd like to ask who would be a better option Gianniotas or Mantalos on the wing? We know how Mantalos plays on the wing, we have seen Gianniotas play on the wing only 3 times and he's been threatening there. But Mantalos overall quality is better than Gianniotas.

I agree 100%

Barkas is better than Gianniotis and I'm a Olympiakos fan. I've always said Mantalos is not good on the right wing but Skibbe plays him there.

Mavrias plays for German 2nd division side Karlsruher. He played 20 or so matches with no goals. When he was 18-19 he went to Sunderland. He was regarded as the next big thing. Unfortunately his form has dropped off ever since he signed for Sunderland. He is still young. He is 23 this season he needs to improve and get back into form the way he was before signing in the EPL in order to warrant a call-up. So far I don't see it happening.

That is a good idea red sheriff. That is probably our best young squad. The thing is the players in the 17-20 age bracket still have time to improve and grow as footballers. I am more concerned with the players who are in the 21-26 age bracket who are not progressing as they should or not involved in the Ethniki. Players like Pelkas, Bouchalakis, Gianniotas, Karelis, Kourbelis, Lykogiannis, Diamantakos and so on should be the players that will carry this team from and now and the next few years. The first problem is: - They have not been given enough chances (Kourbelis, Pelkas) - They have not had enough matches (Bouchalakis) -They are not good enough with their clubs for whatever reason (Mavrias, Kone, Diamantakos) - There is no real desire ( Ninis, Fetftatzidis) - Continuously playing players like Tziolis and Maniatis instead of Siopis and Tachtsidis. Yes Tziolis and Maniatis are need at time for example (Tziolis=Height, Maniatis=High Workrate) But in my opinion Siopis and Tachtsidis are like for like replacements. Bakasetas is a player who has been given enough chances. Diamantakos got a chance and didnt grab it. Karelis got chances and has done well, he is now coming back from injury. Vellios who is now 26 has gotten chances and not taken them. There are also players in thee 21-26 age group that have not even been called and have the chance to, like Koutris and Bouchalakis. Ive also noticed that all our wingers are in this age group excluding Lazaros. But there are players who are doing well for themesleves and thats Stafylidis, Manolas, Papadopoulos, Tachtsidis, Fortounis and Mantalos. Players like Retsos, Manthatis and that have time but can also be in the team if players in the 21-26 age group are not up to it. Now players who are 27 and older are the players who have expirience and are the players who hold the team together. Karnezis, Torosidis, Sokratis, Tzavellas, Samaris, Zeca and Mitroglou. They are the players who are no doubt starters in this team. Tziolis is 32 and Maniatis 31. All im saying is the talent is there but how hard are the players in the 21-26 age group willing to work and take there chances and lead the next generation (17-20).

I hope your right. I'm very optimistic but also concerned.

I would like to talk about Greek players. I've just realised why we don't produce player like other countries for example Brazil, Spain, Portugal and so on. Our youth are the problem. They prefer the Greek lifestyle of having a good time rather than working hard and earning your way in the football world. Gifted players like Fetfatzidis and Ninis have not lived up to expectations as we thought. There was a player called Koutsianikoulis. He was in the same mould as Ninis and Fetfatzidis. A winger/attacking midfielder who could take players on with skill and produce good passes. Another name is Andreas Tatos. Who has excellent technique and vision. Also has not lived up to expectations. The problem is some players standards are not that high as its a shame because if these players did have high standards they would be playing for teams like Manchester United or Barcelona or even Tottenham. But there are some players like Manolas and Sokratis who want the best out of there careers as much as possible. Passionate players like K.Papadopoulos will stop at nothing until they get where they want to be. Fortounis looks like he is capable of bigger things aswell as Mantalos. Tachtsidis is not giving up. I can't say that for players like Kone or Fetfatzidis. Tachtsidis made a good choice in going to Olympiakos. He's guaranteed more minutes and exposure in Champions League. He also played a lot in Serie A for Cagliari last season. Siopis looks like he has a good work ethic. I'd like to see how he goes this season for Olympiakos. I just hope players like Retsos, Manthatis, Androutsos, Galanopoulos and Limnios step up their game and start becoming young stars. Gianniotas should not give up. This is the 3rd time he has been cut by Olympiakos. He is a good winger. Kolovos and Karelis look as they are ambitious in Belgium and like to take chances. I hope they continue there form they left from last season. Pelkas and Bouchalakis I'd like to talk about another day as I believe in these players. Donis looks very promising. I'd like to think that the future of Greek football will look bright but I don't see it, unless some of these youngsters rise up and make a statement. I hope Samaris, Mitroglou and Torosidis have good seasons with Stafylidis improving even more. Karnezis and Kapino look as if they will be the keepers of the Ethniki for at least another 5 years. Barkas looks promising. I believe we are safe for now, but I'm a bit worried about what the depth of talent will be be in 5 years or even 3 years. Torosidis is 32 Karnezis is 33 Sokratis and Mitroglou will be 30 next year which is fine. We have no other striker other than Mitroglou. Vellios, Diamantakos don't look good enough take over. It's a bit concerning as we don't have good enough replacements for the players mentioned. Is anyone else concerned?

It's really unfortunate he got cut. He is not a bad player. He can offer something different from the bench. The board probably prefers Manthatis instead.

That's was a good goal by Mantalos against a very average to bad Cyprus team. What I'm saying is you can't miss a chance like he had against Bosnia. It was on a plate for him. These important games are crucial. I am still frustrated and annoyed that he missed. Also Sokratis had a few mistakes against Bosnia, but imagine him not being there at all, we would've suffered a 3-0 defeat. I think what he does for for club and country is a bit underrated by some people. Manolas is more prone to mistakes than Sokratis. But they a very good centre backs. So is K.Papdopoulos. I am very content with where we are at the moment. But I can't stand seeing better opportunities being lost because of the circumstances I pointed out. We should have beaten Belgium and Bosnia when we had the chance but what do you do, I'm happy so far because we have improved from where we were from 2 years ago and we all have seen massive improvement from the team.

Maybe the coach doesn't have all the say. The board might want the coach to play Risvanis, Siopis and so on. Apparently Marin is set to be a key player for Hasi as he sees him as an important player for the team. Which means there will be competition for the number 10 spot. In my opinion Hasi rates Kasami and Marin so we might see them in the midfield and it could work. Which also means Tachtsidis and Fortounis will fight for those positions.

I wonder what is going to happen in a few weeks when everything is done. Who will be sold? Who will be loaned out? Who will be released? These are the few things i want to happen 2017/18 season with Olympiakos: - Win games obviously - Play the younger Greek talent - The younger talent to step up (Retsos, Manthatis, Androutsos and Nikolaou) - Play more Greek talent (Tachtsidis, Siopis, Risvanis and Kourtis) - Sign a gun right winger - Sign a gun striker - Loan Bouchalakis to Nottingham Forest - Do well in the champions league - Sell Viana, Elyinoussi and Da Costa Dominguez, Cambiasso and Cardozo have already left and Besnik Hasi has already said that we are trying to replace them with quality. Tachtsidis was just signed as i assume he replaces Cambiasso. Emenike is rumoured to join us. Who will replace Dominguez? I hope Fortounis stays or we should sell him for a good price im guessing around the 10-15 million mark. Nothing less. Bouchalakis should be loaned now that Tachtsidis has arrived. Kasami is good enough for the Greek League. Romao looks like a good defensive midfielder. Kasami is good enough for the Greek League. I dont know if Botia is good enough for champions league. We might need to sign a solid defender. Elabdellaoui is good enough to be in the starting 11. We need to sign a back up keeper to Kapino. Does anyone think that the reason Marinakis bought Nottingham Forest was to loan out good potential players so they can experience football outside of Greece in a suitable level?

Bouchalakis might sign for Nottingham Forest on loan.

Yes they did but now there on good terms. I personally think this move is a rubbish move. Why didn't he stay at Atromitos and help the younger players. He has a good work ethic. Also Atromitos is a decent club he would have helped them even more.