ausgreek

This is around the time,where Grammenos and other senior EPO officials must educate Schippo about bringing on the right players for the right reasons late in matches. Firstly, he could suggest Markarian's style clanger when he brought on Tzioli$ late in the match for a red hot Fortounis, chasing the match with a chance to level it, a couple of years ago.

Schippy to bring back Tziolara?

Pavlidis and Donis can fly the flag as the strikers for now.

Deano, its a big call but when Fortounis comes back you have him on the bench as Mantalos is captain? Also, Masouras at RB..maybe he can excel there..hmmm.

We find people suggest players and captains and so on but they don't all fit into the squad design, a certain amount of players for every position and getting the balance right. Now we know what the coaching staff juggle every time these games come around. For instance, playing Mantalos at LW, all of a sudden you have Donis, Masouras and Limnios, 3 LW's on the shelf. In many cases though, injuries usually prevent some of these problems as some players are not often available anyway. They forgot Donis's shirt size cause he hasn't played in so long apparently.

All being available, the front half of the team perhaps like this: Starters: Limnios Pavlidis . Fetfa Kourbelis Fortounis Galanopoulos Front half subs: Koulouris . Donis Bakasetas Mantalos/Vrousai/Bouzoukis Masouras Vasiliadis/Androutsos Zeka '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' If Mantalos became captain. he gets in as a winger, Limnios or Fetfa sit on the bench. Now there are too many wingers so, Masouras or Donis may well miss out. Donis can play as striker too so, Bakasetas or Vrousai misses out if Masouras stays. Given this would be part of a 23 player squad. Can't pick too many cause they also add CB's, fullbacks, goalkeepers. Would you change anyone around Deano?

If Staf loses out to say, Tsimikas at LB, Fortounis or Kourbelis must be captain options. Having Fortounis, Vrousai and a firing Bakasetas (about time), then Mantalos would be on the fringe of the squad I would think. That Pelkas is more of a utility player that plays anywhere in the front half of the team? He is also on the fringe with this squad. The players that have been given a chance and performed of late have caused alot of competition for spots which is excellent. Deano, if your suggestion Vasiliadis, or even Bouzoukis gets a run then Bouchalakis should miss out, I don't think he offers anything special.

Seb Vasiliadis - Greek & German, or even Giannis Bouzoukis good value these young players. Pelkas is an enigma, I do wonder where JVS would play him, he is an AM or winger but Ethniki are well stocked all of a sudden. Although, it should Not be all of a sudden, its more that other coaches didn't try different options through fear of failure, in the Mykonos fc era. Fortounis coming back soon hopefully, and firing for mine would mean Mantalos has no starting position and so not as captain cause Limnios, Donis, Fetfa and Masouras should be ahead of him for the wing spots. I wonder how Lamprou is fairing as well these days.. Staf was played as a left CB during the team's attacking raids (3 at the back) against Bos/Hertz, a different tactic. He is a safe and reliable LB with experience and a massive striker of a ball for goal from a distance. Has also ticks the boxes leading the team atm. Sok and Manol should be in the mix as they now know JVS would have their balls if they pull a tantrum, although, Triantafylopoulos, Lampropoulos, Retsos along with Hatzi and Siovas are definite assets as CB options. A more agile new RB option I agree would be ideal to have along with Bakakis, such as Stel Kitsiou or Lefteris Lyratzis. Either would be worth a run for sure under this current regime.

Ethniki are capable of toppling Italy next time..could well look this way in 2020 ; Vlahodimos Bakakis/Retsos Hatzidiakos/Manolas Siovas/Sokratis Stafylidis (C) Kourbelis Galanopoulos Limnios Fortounis (VC) Donis Pavlidis Koulouris Vrousai/Darmishaj Fetfatzidis Bakasetas Mantalos Zeka Androutsos Barkas Dioudis This is after current attitude adjustments which are re-moulding some players.

What a goalara from...Panagiotis Koneeeee....Go Western baby!

Pretty quick these days with Limnios, Masouras, Donis, Fetfa and Pavlidis.

I hope the Skip does not allow the two CB's back for Armenia match. Next year, they can then be considered. There is a good feeling amongst the playing group now and Sokratis won't be captain.

Optus sport should have it.

Mama mia! Whats Alefantos up to I wonder?

And now we understand the reason for Stafylidis as a CB..the boys reverted to 3 at the back in attack, Staf to LB, Hatzidiakos in the middle and Kourbelis to the RB position..Giannouls and Bakakis pushed up as wingbacks to add to the Greece attack..maaate! Schip gave Galanopoulos a shot and he, along with Kourbelis will be the mids for the Ethniki for a long tme. Kourbelis was very composed and did the dirty work that Zeka usually does as well. Ethniki played a compact 4 5 1 against Italy and a 4 4 2 in D, with a 4 3 3/3 5 2 in attack vs Bos-Hertz. Fetfa and Koulouris caused havoc against Bos-Hertz, as did MOM Limnios. Van Schip!!!!!!! deserves kudos for his enterprising tactics, giving his players a chance to play football, as he demonstrated that he believes in them, players not being afraid to make mistakes although, continuing to stay compact and sticking with their gameplan. The Mykonos club went back to Mykonos. Didn't see or hear of any decent enterprise from the other coaches in the last few years, no imagination and one dimensional, alot like my romantic abilities..

Ethniki do not have better players. Tnis was our A +B+C team all in one. Only Fortounis needs to be thete based on form. Ethniki were embarrassing with them CB's in the team, as was the culture.

The whispers of a probable lineup against Bos Hertz; Dioudis Retsos/Bakakis Lampropoulos Siovas Staf (c) Bouchalakis Zeca Bakasetas Limnios Koulouris/Donis Masouras Also heard Vlahodimos had a minor injury. Hope Mantalos or Pelkas gets a run at AM, and Fetfa gets a run at RW.

Honestly fellas, with regards to certain criticisms: a reputable website has different opinions of this match to some posters on here. Paschalakis did not save that 2nd goal cause it took a diflection off Giannoulis. That was way too harsh to expect that to be saved, I saw it too; Bakasetas was described as being a constant threat, much better than in the past and playing up front; Zeca was easily the best player for Ethniki, and that his value to the Ethniki cannot be overestimated. He along with Kourbelis and Bouchalakis, afforded Italy hardly any space to work with; Bouchalakis set up Koulouris for a goal which he should of scored; Hatzidiakos was very composed and at this rate will play alot more for the Ethniki omada; Siovas was complimented for giving the oponents hardly any space as well; Staf was solid as skipper; Bakakis had constant raids down his end but was handling them well; Limnios was excellent, as was Donis , both with their speed; We got dicked by a stupid penalty and an fluke of a deflection after that, by a superior team. Ethniki have alot to work with and the coaching staff provided them with good tight structure. Greece played like a good team. Fetfa didn't play cause he was late for a team meeting or training; I would start Donis, Mantalos and Pavlidis for Bakasetas, Koulouris and Bouchalakis against Bosnia Hertz.

Look at all the 'proper coaches' we have had..one replaced Fortounis with Tzioli$ when we needed to chase the match..this guy has the coconuts to enforce change..embrace him..after all he coached in the A League holmes!!!

He may even do his surprise 3 5 2 / 5 3 2 formation. I hope he pulls that one out of the bag. Prizes on the day: a complimentary brush, comb, mirror gel and man bag. Back here in Australie -(French) we only get the meat raffle at the rsl or catholic club.

Siovas, Mantalos Kourbelis or Stafylidis for captain? Maybe Siovas.

Arg, you parochial, passionate, parnassian perspicacious power ranger, going on the last two matches, I would go with Pavlidis, Fetfa and Masouras as arguably (in agreeance) our best three. I don't feel we will miss those CB's, although we do miss that AM. Now remember, we were calling for him for a while now, he has answered the call, - our man Retsos!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a case of players being around too long, new guys usually bleed for the shirt..we need more bleeders!

It's exciting the prospect of young players coming through like Pavlidis, Vrousai, Donis & Kouloura up front along with Retsos!!!!!!! Hatzi, Giannoulis and Dioudis among others at the back. Like the idea of Mantalos as AM while Fortounis is out (- future skipper). Just as exciting as the new A League season starting with Kone at the Mighty Western Utd fc! Maaate! Wet the pants stuff na poume.

The Ethniki must assert their authority early in the match I believe, to shake the Romantics off their game, Mantalos should hack one of their forwards in front of the referee, around mid-pitch.