ausgreek

Tzav started at lb and Staf came on in the second half though. That's when Greece picked it up anyway.

For Ninis to play that means either Fortounis or Mantalos miss out. Fetfa plays, either Gianniotas or Bakasetas miss out. I'd go with who we have. Which other dm would we replace Tziolis with, perhaps Kourbelis though he hasn't had a shot yet?

Predicting 3-2 Greece. You grik?

The Skibbe may start Mantalos at am. Fortounis/Karelis for lw perhaps. Would like to see 3 5 2 although it won't happen. Expect 4 2 3 1 which is good anyway.

Fair comment Sheriff. The jury is out as the results have not arrived yet but the way they have been come along and looking at the squad now, I can reasonably see how Skibbe is going to go with his first 11 selections. They look more settled to me after 2 years of many changes. I could pick a 23 man squad without hesitation, almost identical to them, whereas before, I would chop and change not being sure, like the coaches were, since 2014. Still say we have had to rebuild and it's been horrendus to endure. They might be at the better end now, I hope so anyway.

We have a serious offensive; Mantalos, Fortounis Mitro-Mykonos, Gianniotas and Karelis. Loads of firepower. They will have a lot to worry about too. Like the defence too, everyone is available this time. I have every confidence in Samaris and Maniatis as dual dm's. Probably the most settled since 2014. Lets talk it up.

Oops meant rw, not rb.

Gianniotas is not competing for a position against Mantalos and Ninis. He is there purely as a rb, if anything competing with Fetfatzidis, and got the spot. Ninis missed out cause of Mantalos and Fortounis being better than him. Also, anyone displacing Tziol would be another dm, cause the balance of the team will be out. Can't replace a dm with an am. Unless say, Kourbelis or Tachtsidis can unseat him, Tziol-Pirlo will keep getting selected for a while yet.

While dipping my paximathi in my tsai to vounou, I agreed to the fact that even with Otto's defenders, we copped 4, so we need offence too. With Fortounis, Mantalos, Karelis Mykonos and long range-man Maniatis, we can really hurt Netherlands, especially with diver not playing too.

Skankaroo, it was out of Alexandros Pirlo or Tachtsidis and he went for Pirlo. He opted for the experience factor, I guess he felt he couldn't carry two guys not that mobile for the midfield positions. With his back four, the Germans usually pick cb's as fullbacks so all these cb's are typical of that. I'm willing to back him with this even though he didn't pick another rb. Skibbe is trying to instill some steely German influence, perhaps trying to create a strong culture. Hope he can, the head office will try and spoil it for him.

Skanksta, I agree about Sotiri Ninis. The Skibbe chose Fortounis and Mantalos ahead of Ninis. He even chose Gianniotas, Bakasetas and Diamantakos ahead of Fetfatzidis. With rb, Skibbeman chose Oik and Tzav to cover cb, and push Sok to the right to cover Toro skipper. Petsos is a good inclusion in the squad. The experience of Tziolis? I'm not a fan but I'll back the coach on this. He can adjust the squad after 2 games if he must.

Netherland are going to face the might of Greece! Leonithas, its Sparta's time to attack!

You can bet that Mykonos will score, it's just what happens. He will need good wingmen and it will happen.

Pirlo Tziolis even got in ahead of Tachtsidis! Must be for his vision. Still say he won't start and Skibbe will go with Samaris Maniatis (long range goal scorer) and Fortounis in midfield. Bakasetas Mitroglou (Mykonos) and Holebas as his starting front three.

Reckon they would of picked the squad by now lol. Should happen earlier no.52..

Hey, nearly caught up to the Socceroos, 6 more months?

Be nice If the Hellas jersey was at the Nike stores in Sydney gamoto! I like that uncomplicated plain look. I have Kalamata olives.

With the calls for 3 CB's, if Kyriako is out through injury, who plays as the 3rd CB? Is it Tzavellas, Moras or Oikonomou? Or does the structure change to 4 at the back because of one player, Kyriako's absence?

'We' are top 15 team with that lineup, but its not played on paper or on phantis. Kyriak is injured or underdone and Skibbe won't play 3 CB's. End of movie lads. Tell u what, pick a side that's 4 2 3 1.

So Kyriako is fully fit again then?

Re Paithia na poume, rebuilding and instability as I put it, takes up to afew years at times. Since the Turkey game, the team has looked like it has direction, for long periods, not in disarray like during qualifications, even during the horror Euro period, we never got smashed. Skibbe gives the impression he demands authority and the players look as though they have bought into what their roles are for him. Ranieri and Markarian never captured the team's respect and Karagounis couldn't work with Markarian. It was in all a dark period for a multitude of reasons. Santos would demand authority and made clear what every player's role was, he knew his player's abilities inside out. That high press against Australia now that you mention it J1078, was as good as England was a week earlier. It was even more impressive to go way ahead against Iceland. Once the misfiring is gone, Greece will be consistent again. I like positive outlooks and they will come back from doom and gloom.

Pass through if you can, hows things re? I noticed LeMendel has been back in action again too lately. Tzioli the new Kats?

Skankster, Spain, Italy (with Greece colours) and Wales will probably qualify straight up, I still say we will top the group. I insist we went through a mongrel of a rebuilding cycle with multiple negatives that occured, this coach has worked out his 4 2 3 1 with us and we will be ready.

Skanko, don't u tell me u don't agree with me!