pash

The biggest benefit is that it will force us to play friendlies. The possible negative is that our tendency to never try out new players during friendlies will be further reinforced by these games being "important."

Leovac injured (knee), doesn't seem very serious. Might be a blessing to have him sit out for a while, especially if Deligiannidis gets some much-needed game time.

Now that I think about it - Biseswar is suspended for the next few games, anyway. Sounds like if the above lineup holds, Pelkas will definitely get some game time.

The Nations League will provide us a decent draw - below is the current seeding. In my opinion, the only team that we can be drawn with that can actually play ball is Romania. Personally I think Serbia is better than them, but we have the fortune to be in their same seeding group. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_UEFA_Nations_League_C#Seeding

Is there some context behind why Siambanis took that penalty?

Great to hear. It didn't look like he was hurt that bad, so hopefully they're just using an overabundance of caution. InPAOK is predicting the below lineup. I like it, apart from the obvious issue of Biseswar not starting. --Rey-- --Matos--Varela--Malezas--Deligiannidis-- --Cimirot--Shakhov-- --Vieirinha--El Kaddouri--Mak-- --Prijovic-- Prijovic might be tired from his trip - we might see Koulouris or Mak there instead. Sounds like a game time decision.

Well technically Kaftanzoglio IS that neutral ground. Same with OAKA I guess (even if both locations do have permanent tenants). Honestly, I think publicly-financed stadium construction is a horrible idea even in a country with a healthy economy - in Greece, I could only imagine the graft that would result if the government would start building stadiums again.

Hahaha Ninis. The boy wonder. Is his face showing up on milk cartons yet?

I don't think there will be a playoff - there are ten groups, with 20 teams qualifying from those groups. The remaining four teams in the tournament will come out of the nations league. So we'll have to top one of the two better seeds to make it through. In a diluted field like Euro qualifying, that should be doable even if we don't show improvement (knock on wood).

The video was good. Makes good points. Sad that they even have to be made, however.

KOUTRIS

My man!

This site claims to be a live rankings tool, though I have no idea as to its credibility. They claim we'll rise to 46th. https://www.fctables.com/fifa-rankings/

Agreed. If anything, the events over the past few matches have convinced them that partisan stadiums are a bad way to go, since Greeks are all goddamned animals.

The only way I can blame a GK for not stopping a penalty, is if he decides to start fapping it right there in the middle of the stadium instead of trying to stop the ball.

I won't rehash most of the names here, and I don't have much input on players who don't have connections to the only team I care about (PAOK). But as far as those are concerned: Charisis will, in a few years, be an obvious call up. Kid has a ton of talent but was not trusted by his last two coaches at PAOK (for whatever reason) - he's been getting plenty of time at his current club, however, and I expect them to activate their buy out option (1.5mm) next summer. Kitsiou is playing there as well, but not quite as consistently as Charisis. As Torosidis declines, he'll have a chance to make his case. At this point I don't think he's good enough; he might end up a backup option at some point. Decent as a winger as well. Needs to work on his crosses. Tzavellas - rapidly declining, creates a rotten atmosphere in the locker room, now is our chance to make a clean break with him let Stafylidis battle it out with whoever else can play in that position. Limnios, Lamprou - good players, needs to be seen if they're able to continue at this level for a whole season. Their numbers aren't amazing but I like them both. Wouldn't be surprised to see them get their first call ups in the next two years. Pelkas - versatile guy, plays with real balls. Not the kind of ACM who will conduct the offense like a symphony (his passing is just not good enough). However, to counter that, he is very direct - might end up more like a SS than an ACM (and is probably why he's playing as a winger these days). Mistakidis - I believe he is better than Pelkas, will shortly be returning from a torn MCL. If all goes well, he'll make a solid case for inclusion in future teams. Very good as a second striker, usually plays as RW, is comfortable as LW. Tziolis - hasn't been able to play at this level for at least four years. Kick him to the curb. Seems like a nice guy, but that doesn't count for much when he can't make a pass, press an opponent, or shoot. Sokratis/Kpaps/Manolas - good competition between the three of them, no concerns here. As for Chatziisaias, I liked the guy but even if he improves massively, there will be a very narrow window between Sokratis/Kpaps declining and the next generation of CBs taking their place. Very unlikely that he'll ever get a cap, in my opinion. Will probably end up like Katsikas, as a journeyman in second-rate leagues who settles down in Ukraine/Romania.

Whoops! Saw it on some shitty score tracking fees that posted on Twitter but now when I check that was clearly wrong. Sorry plz don't sue me :(

Prijovic scored twice vs China

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather keep them both too. I also think Campos is one of the better dribblers on the team...and nobody (except *possibly* Cimirot) has the ability to force as many errors on his opponents as he does. Moledo...do we really need this guy? If we get him, we'd have to lose one of Crespo or Malezas in my opinion. We're already five deep at the back.

The thing about Leveque, is that they're going to have an obsession with giving him every possible chance (even beyond what is reasonable) before they get rid of him. If he were healthy, he'd be playing in all of our games this year already I think. From what little I've seen of him, he does seem to be a bit better than Leovac. But the guy has played, what, 150 minutes in four months? Logically, Limnios and Deligiannidis should be loaned out, but I would hate to see them go. Of course, it would be in the player's long-term best interests to get out there. If Henrique comes back, Limnios *definitely* will need to go. An uncle of mine was making some big claims about us already having agreed terms with Berg for this winter. A 6-month or 1.5-year contract. I'd take him, for sure.

A few interesting tidbits from Michel today - Wants to offload 4-5 players (either sales or loans) due to the team being built for an EL competition that we obviously are not involved in. Removing a few players would help alleviate what is presumably causing some pressure in the locker room - personally, I hope this means Poungouras gets a loan out. Other players that I think should make a move are Kace (loan or sale), Konstantinidis (release/loan/sale), Leovac (sale only), Pelkas (but only for a good price), Cimirot (but only for a good price). I wouldn't be surprised if Biseswar and/or Campos want to go as well, and they should be allowed to if we get some cash for them Says that Henrique might be back on the table, as their team is either already out of the CL (or soon will be) Says he'd be open to a sale of Prijovic at close to the 10mm clause, but definitely not for something like 3mm

Welcome to the forum! It's certainly possible, though I wouldn't be opposed to keeping Lucescu if the team improves. I just don't want the yearly circus to continue. Savvidis must have seen how much better it was last year when we stuck with a coach through the tough times. Mistakidis is now about 3 weeks out from his return. Frankly I thought he'd be back by now, but better late than never.

I believe they were fined after the loss vs Ostersund as well...

This might actually be a game where our opponent will attack; hopefully it'll be a good one. My lineup: --Rey-- --Matos--Varela--Malezas--Deligiannidis-- --Canas--Cimirot-- --Vieirinha--El Kaddouri--Mak-- --Prijovic-- I also wouldn't mind Limnios on either wing. If he doesn't start, then definitely as sub.

That last game, was that the infamous one where Ivic stated during the press conference that we were being sabotaged by certain players?