HellasLEAF

By goodness the doom and gloom in this thread. Some of it justified, but who cares about the Belarus game it was not even the real starting team. We don't have the depth to do that and expect victory. I am honestly not certain either way about the Bosnia game but I DO know they will show up ready to play and have a more serious mentality.

1. Karnezis - 7 - He faced some real shots this time and was commendable. Everything was stoppable and he did his job for the team. Nothing too extraordinary though. 2. Oikonomou - 5 - I mean, decent enough. 3. Manolas - 8 - I thought he was excellent back there, and really held it all together in nervous moment with Sokratis gone. 4. Stafylidis - 6 - I think the goal is clouding things a bit. I liked the skill on the goal, and he was good enough as a lot was asked of him, but there were still careless passes out there and isn't all that imposing defensively. 5. Tachtidis - 5.5 - I'm just not seeing enough consistent performances out of this player yet. He's too carless with the ball and doesn't inspire confidence. I do hope I'm wrong about him as there are glimpses but he needs to refine his game. 6. Maniatis - 0 - I can't stand careless players that give away fouls like Maniatis. I think he's lost a step and creates nothing going forward. Even I can stroke a ball up to an open winger. Get rid of him now Skibbe before it's too late. 7. K. Paps - 7.5 - I am surprised at the ratings on him I thought he was a big presence in the air and solid on the ground. He got better as the match went along. It was a performance that reminds you how high we were on him before injuries. Was not fazed by change of position either, he and Manolas far and away our best players. 8. Bakasetas - 3 - I'm just not seeing it with this player. I mean, I am surprised that Skibbe starts him and thinks this much of him. I can think of at least 5 or 6 players I would rather have in his spot right now. We'll see. 9. Mantalos - 6 - It was not one of his better games, despite some nice play in the match. 10. Karelis - 4.5 - Maybe as a striker. Decent player. Not a starter for me. 11. Mitroglou - N/A - Honestly he had absolutely no service today. None. It's hard for me to even give him a rating. It was not his best day as a target man though that goes without saying. Maybe a 5 because he has been solid for the team since the beginning.

K. Paps was solid on the right for what it's worth. I don't see much wrong with that move in that moment I take him on the pitch any day when needing to defend vs Holebas and an attacking player is not what was needed at the time. People may not like Holebas omission from the start but after our early lead and injuries I very much agree he was not the right player to come in.

I'm just not ready to jump all over the coach just yet. We don't know what really happened or why he hasn't played much. It could very well be that Skibbe doesn't prefer him as he is still suspect at the back. He was tried at left mid I believe so he could very well not rate him as a defensive player. This could also be a bit of a emotional decision like how Messi quit, but by the time November rolls around could be fine we'll see. Sitting is not fun and you get pissed anyone that has played at a decent enough level knows.

^^^ I'm a big fan of that, too bad we've lost Holebas for good now..

Well I'd rather put Modric in our central midfield but seeing as we don't have him and our central play was the worst I've seen in years I feel much better with Samaris in the side vs Bosnia coming yes.

We got the group we wanted and the start we wanted with 9 points and good goal differential. The table is set for them to grab at least 2nd spot now with the coming Bosnia match. If the team is serious about returning to prominence they win that one at home. Guess we'll find out what they are really made of come November.

After seeing the Italians scrape a 3 - 2 in the dying seconds from FYROM I'll take these 3 points and clean sheet happily. The early goal was both a blessing and a curse as Estonia felt pressure to equalize as we sat back. I felt the midfield play to be very disappointing as they simply were not able to hold the ball under the Estonia pressure. They were a decent team to be fair. Our defence was actually pretty decent not allowing many top notch chances against. Absorbing much of what they threw at us. Attacking play was not existent at all really. Felt like a performance from Otto's playbook today. Fortounis and Samaris are vital to this team and some adjustments are surely needed before we play Bosnia I do hope we don't become complacent with this recent run of form or could let the Bosnians take advantage.

If Skibbe has any sense he will start him for the bigger games against Bosnia and Belgium. Today we have enough talent up front to put us out of reach of Cyprus. A few mistakes in selection for this one my opinion but didn't cost us.

Great skill there.

thank you yes clearly a typo.

I will say though that any pressure is being absorbed easily and we look good on the counter. Another goal is coming as Cyprus open up..

excellent finish, and good decision by the ref to allow continuation was not a foul

goalaso!!!!!!!!!!!

raining there.

Kone is not someone I want back personally. I've seen enough I think we have better players. Maybe as depth not much more. I do hope we have a strong lineup and the team take this one very seriously or they could easily cop a goal and be in trouble. If they are serious about qualifying this year this has to be 3 points and not too concerned about the scoreline after.

A bit early, but we'll just put news and discussion in here. A month will be here before you know it. Hope the guys are ready will be a big game. I hope that we see big support from the fans as well like before.

I think the biggest problem with the team is the wing backs. Tzavellas isn't good enough and Toro while can be good on the ball has maybe lost a step as a defender.

^^^ this

What a great response to conceding that goal. That for me showed something. That goal against will be good for us in the long run. We should be good for a couple more here.

Tzavellas is killing us there, just not enough quality this player.

We've made some nice penetration just slightly off timing. Should have one or two more goals at this point.

hahaha. Mitro picking up right where he left off! Goalaso

think we get one soon

^^^ I like all of those options myself over Maniatis, whom I still like. Thinking Petsos right now. But eventually want to see displaced sooner rather than later. Unless Tachtidis can raise his consistency and form.