pash

Doesn't sound like it.

Caktas, the free agent out of Rubin Kazan signed with Hadjuk Split (I believe that's Tudor's old club, right?). If he's good enough for that team, then he's not good enough for us.

We have two absences that we'll need to fill here. I think Lucescu will choose El Kaddouri, but I'd prefer Biseswar: --Pashalakis-- --Matos--Varela--Crespo--Vieirinha-- --Mauricio--Shakhov-- --Campos--Biseswar--Mak-- --Prijovic--

Ahh, you meant worldwide. Looks like he still has a ways to go, but surely he's on the charts right now in the Super League/ A' Ethniki...

Our recordholder in what capacity? Number of clean sheets? I don't think it's related to the record of most consecutive victories, is it?

All players are mercenaries, Cimirot would have seen PAOK as a stepping stone to a better league, which will draw even more eyes to his performances. 2.5mm does seem low to me, especially for such a key player. I still believe we have the quality internally to replace him, but Michel has Ivan's checkbook available, so there's no way he won't buy someone. If he gets a standard CM (vs DM) as I think he will, it will accelerate Lucescu's plans to move us to a 4-4-2, I think. I saw an article on inPAOK just now saying that Stuttgart's coach was specifically asked about his interest in Pelkas, and just gave a li'l knowing smile. Couldn't watch the video as it was blocked in the US though. C'est la vie. As for the love question - love is a lie that was made up by greeting cards companies, to sell more product.

I saw a reference to that on twitter as well, but also saw a post about our interest in Madson from Atromitos as well: https://www.transfermarkt.com/madson/profil/spieler/244832 I've never followed Kourbelis or Madson so I don't know who the better player is. Madson is clearly cheaper, but I don't think we'd be buying Kourbelis at full market value. Personally, if two players are equal in skill, I'd rather we get the Greek one.

The team just posted an update on Pelkas. Out for 2-3 days followed by up to ten days out before he can train with the team. Could have been much worse...

I'm glad that he gets game time, but Campos should be starting most games. Game wasn't terrible. The team was defensively suspect, but you could blame the fact that three out of our four defenders spent most of their time attacking. It was pretty fast paced, but full of errors. I think they really wanted to finish the tie in the first leg. League should be priority, so I'd start some of these second string players again next game - Koulouris, Limnios, Shakhov. Canas should be fit again by then, and should keep us more defensively stable. Going forward, I hope Lucescu uses Biseswar as a starter over El Kaddouri.

Kace is the closest we have to his "type" of player that I can think of. Maybe Mauricio. Judging by what Lucescu said at the press conference today (which I notice wasn't really translated for the reporters) is that he doesn't want to play with dedicated defensive midfielders, which could explain why Canas is on the outs (and why Mauricio/Cimirot get so much time). Notice that this new guy is also a CM, as well. I think at this point, Kace has hit a wall and is unlikely to progress in a team as stacked as we have. I think he should still go to PAO, at least for a loan.

We'll know the details soon. Might be better than we fear. I hope this guy has a great career ahead of him, he's an excellent player with tons of potential. I'll be cheering for Cimirot. The sale, btw, is all but confirmed...he gave a (very short) statement to inPAOK just now as well.

I'm a fan of Shakhov. He's certainly got that offensive style - as long as he isn't played instead of an AM, I'm happy with him on the squad. Pelkas will be out at least two weeks, he went under the knife a few hours ago. I'm sure he'll be back before the bone is healed; I just hope they find a Bane mask for that extra bit of fear.

That amount might be acceptable if there's a resale clause...

I'd put Azevedo on now for Matos, let Vieirinha take the right side. I want to see what this guy's got.

Wow goal by Shakhov!

Prijovic on for Koulouris -edit- Pashalakis with a big save just now

Too many fouls this half. We don't need any more yellows.

Wow so close by Koulouris

Not looking good for Pelkas, this is NOT an injury I wanted to see. I don't think El Kaddouri is good enough to cover for him, we might see a 4-4-2 if Prijovic comes on for him. -edit- El Kaddouri comes on for Pelkas

WOW what a goal! Great teamwork! -edit- offside, not taken back though

Toumba more full than I feared.

Seems kind of pointless to me. Unless we get rid of at least two midfielders in the next few days, where/when would he play??

Very favorable group: Finland , Estonia, Hungary, Greece

It'll be vieirinha, I'd put money on it. I rate koulouris, we should be fine tomorrow. This is a very offense oriented lineup imo

Some guys need rest. I'm more worried about Matos than Prijovic, myself. Mistakidis unlikely to be in the squad for long, due to that pending PAO loan. Probably has something to do with it. -edit- just read that Biseswar has a minor injury. Might be the only reason Azevedo came in.