pash

I've seen pictures of Somalia that look greener than that field.

I think so, I'd guess an essentially different team will come on at half.

Goal Veria, 1-0, sounds like it's Olsen's fault

Starting lineup. 4-2-3-1.

Our friendly vs Veria starts in just under two hours. It looks like Leovac will not be playing. No lineup yet announced by the team, although I'm sure we'll end up seeing most of our players get some time.

It's early days, but I'm liking him so far - it's all about the mentality. I hope he can really build something here.

I can't help it, I'm scared of everything!

Metrio?

So I guess the question is - how does the A-league compare to the GSL?

I'd be surprised if he makes enough of an impact before we loan him out. But, good luck to him.

I agree about Maduro, he seems to have a great attitude. His twitter feed is always very positive, and he is a big improvement over Tziolis. If he survives another two weeks, I'm sure he'll get some play time. As for the others - Noboa got cold feet after the economic crisis hit (allegedly), and Lucas was desperate to play for his boyhood love. It's very hard to compete with them. Hell, he took a pay cut to play in Spain - while Noboa could make a lot more money in Russia. At the end of the day, having people who don't want to be here, leads to players like Oliseh - talent that is wasted, but plays at only "half strength." This is why I - mostly - agree with what Arnesen is doing. Even if the players we get these next two years aren't insanely talented, give me a solid season with people who want to be there and will give it their all. Look at the matches we've already played - even going down to ten men, or going down a goal, doesn't stop them. Last year, they would have collapsed immediately. This year, they've shown at least some character. Look at the parakamera video from the last match vs Spartak - Savvidis, Pelkas, Mistakidis - at the end of the game all of the young guys went over to the crowd and screamed out the same chants the fans were. Now THAT is what I want to see, even if those guys aren't world beaters.

Three of the four players we've "thrown out" wanted to leave. What exactly would you have done in that situation?

Looks like we're currently up 10-0

:: tries to find a good ladyboy joke to add ::

I haven't, but they can have him. Would be better for the league, anyway ;)

Olympiakos is going to *easily* win the title this year. Our only chance for the future, is to take a risk or three and hope it works out with some of these players. So far, I like this team more than what we had last year.

I would HATE to see Kace leave but this would make a lot more sense to me than playing Sabo/Cimirot/Kace in the midfield. We have a bunch of players who can play as more attack-oriented midfielders (Pelkas, Mistakidis, Pozoglou, Charisis), and I can't see us keeping those young players if we use them indefinitely as subs. All part of the balance Arnesen was talking about a few months back.

Antonis apparently was assured he would not be loaned out to Veria, and will probably be in Greece Friday for his medicals. His contract had a 500k buyout clause which we met in order to begin negotiations. I know absolutely nothing about this kid apart from him being Australian, and since I'm not even sure Australia is real (I have my doubts), I'm not sure where this money is going.

What a funny place to choose to mock diaspora Greeks...

Would hate to see Kace/Sabo/Cimirot take time away from Pelkas just as he's getting good, and I hope Charisis gets adequate time too. If we make decent runs in both EL and the cup, I suppose they'd all get their chances, though.

So anyone know how good this guy is?

I took a walk around the stadiums in Larissa a few years back while visiting a cousin who was attending the panepisthmio there. Nice town, krima that such a nice place was essentially unused. Even reading the reasons for the dispute on here and in the gs.com forums (and on wiki!) I still don't really get what's going on.

Both good questions.

Apparently Karagounis is claiming he hasn't heard anything from the EPO regarding him being booted? What the hell is going on here.

Doesn't seem like he fulfills the rumor of, "higher caliber." I guess we'll see. Last I heard he was close to Atromitos. We do lack DMs though. There's a chance this is for real.