pash

Putting this here as it's a very general topic - looks like FIFA is clamping down on loans. I, for one, think this is a great idea. Clubs buy way too many players with no intention of every playing them. While this is especially true for the biggest clubs, PAOK also has this addiction. Clean up the team sheets, people! Also - imagine how this would have changed the Super League a few years ago, when the only club that could afford to buy each team's breakout player was Oly? http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2018/09/13/fifa-set-clamp-big-club-player-loan-deals/

Prijovic is out 7-10 days, so he definitely misses OFI. Hopefully he will be back for Chelsea; if his past returns are any indication, he'll be ready.

Just what we needed, yayyy!

You always make me feel better, babe

Speaking of - was Kitsiou sick or hurt or something? I saw a post a few days ago about him being "back to normal," which confused me. He looked good during preseason, he definitely needs to get some playing time soon.

This is why we have the kind of depth we have. If Tosca doesn't play, and Hatseridi is not actually injured, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Crespo there too. OFI is nothing to fear, and if we are adamant about not starting anyone past the 13-14 usual suspects, then there's no point in having a bench this deep.

And don't forget the reason that any billionaire buys a club for - it makes him look like a boss

Nice goal. Interesting that he's rocking the same jersey # as well

I guess if he really impresses, then he'll see some playing time. I would doubt we'd see him in the EL opener though.

^ with a fight between fans at 4:20, no less

They were much better in the first half. Only Pelkas improved after the break (he was invisible at the beginning).

I'd agree with that. I missed the middle 25 of the match, but from what I did see, you're spot-on.

I'm sure that fan just walked. He was a good boy who felt his tummy hurt, therefore should not be penalized. If I were in charge, he would have been literally crucified.

Good luck to him. Hopefully he and Mistakidis get their mojo back together

A team that theoretically represents the whole island, sure. But even though Ergotelis and Platanias are garbage, they still remain... I've heard more than a few people say that Thessaloniki is too small to support as many teams as it does. Not sure I agree with that, but I do see the point. It seems to me that the best opportunity for growth may be overseas (which thankfully PAOK is very aware of!).

Very small market, split between two teams. They'll never be able to sustain themselves to the point where they can build the kind of squad they need to challenge for the title, unfortunately. Size is the name of the game these days.

I'd be more worried that the animals in Gate 4 would throw rocks at players...

He's my favorite internet robot. A SmarterChild for the modern age. I didn't think about the dropouts not making their way through. That would be a great boost for the teams already in the EL. It's terrible that they struggle to get through a group stage only to find half a dozen heavyweights come in on the next round.

And there's no reason to. Krasnodar has a hideous stadium! At least from the outside. Inside, it's pretty decent (though not sure how I feel about the screens).

Got to water the potatoes somehow.

Savvidis is also running his mouth (on instagram) again. Says our new stadium will be 40k+ Seems to really like Krasnodar's stadium.

Sometimes you have to pull on a few strings in order to get to the finish. Not pleasant, but what must be done, must be done.

Could be. Though a tighter Europa League may actually garner a bit more interest than it does now.

I'm reading a few interesting tidbits - 1 - It seems UEFA is planning on widening the selection pool for teams that have made transfers in the winter period, and allowing those who played for other teams to be included in knockout games for their new teams (up to three players). 2 - UEFA was previously considering expanding the Europa Lague to 64 teams, but now is leaning the other way (down to 32 from 48 teams). The remainder of squads will be placed in a new, third-tier league that will include 32 teams of its own. Personally, I like that idea. It gives our second-rate squads like Atromitos an actual chance to get some international experience under their belts, against teams they SHOULD be able to beat. While lightening up the fixtures list for teams in the EL.

Very good signing for them. I thought he was a decent player, myself.