paokarag4

The noise is getting louder that FIFA/UEFA may ban Israeli teams from European/International competitions. UEFA would not want to do this, given the European season has started and we have already played Maccabi, it would complicate things massively. For that reason, I don't think they will do it, despite all the public pressure. BUT if it were to happen would they award as a 3-0 win for the game yesterday? Obviously a lot of water to go under the bridge, but I think if they tried to let the result stand then award Maccabi's other opponents walkover victories, we would probably have grounds to appeal to CAS. I don't normally get swept in this stuff until it's official, but as it could potentially directly impact PAOK and this result I thought it was worth mentioning.

Once again we waste the first half before an improved 2nd half. Those 2 chances missed at the end, I mean what can you say really..... We were lucky not to concede and have to thank Pavlenka for another huge performance (MVP for me today) but once again, especially in the 2nd half we created more than enough to come away with the 3 points. I guess on the balance of the game a draw is relatively fair. The game could've just as easily ended up 3-1, 2-2 or 0-1.

I have a feeling we will respond to our last 2 disappointing results and come out with a big win here. I think Zivkovic is due and will have a big game and we will get our Europa League campaign off on the right foot.

No harm no foul in the end. The Derby ends in a 1-1 draw and AEK also drops points at Larissa. We remain level with Olympiacos and AEK despite our poor result on Saturday. Aris also just a point behind.

Pressure goes up again, 2nd time in a relatively short period this season that our backs are against the wall. Maccabi was already a massive game given it is one of our 4 winnable ones in the Europa League, but coming off these last 2 results increases its importance. We created enough chances to win the game, but when you start slow and are pretty lacklustre for a half you leave yourself a lot to do in 45 minutes. Patience with Lucescu seems to be at an all time low from the fans. It feels like he has a lost about 20-30% of his support just by not doing what the average football fan considers an obvious move (playing 2 strikers for the last 10 minutes against 10 men, changing formation etc.) Again these are simple solutions, but it is no doubt frustrating when you watch you team pepper the opposition goal for a half and the only change is in personnel. As always our response is key and will give us a good indication into the mentality of the team for this season. We simply must beat Maccabi and then Asteras away.

Would expect to see the Italian lads debut today. Hard to know what to make with the new format, we clearly want to come top 4 to avoid a "quarter final playoff" match. I guess that doesn't leave us much room for error, especially first up. With that in mind, Lucescu will probably still rotate the starting 11. Hopefully the boys can get the win.

In the training report on Thursday, the club said that Camara would be assessed daily. Generally this indicates that it isn't a serious issue and it is a matter of days before they return.

It goes without saying, this game will be far tougher than the one against Belarus. The Danes who have been mainstays at major tournaments for the last 7 or so years, have been able to build that solid record of qualification on a strong defence. They have been typically tough to break down and have had plenty of results by keeping a clean sheet. So it will be the first real test for our young guns and all their attacking flair. I expect Denmark will look to keep it tight and allow us to have the bulk of possession. Our attack has been blowing teams away, so an early goal and who knows. But I would anticipate a cat and mouse game. I don't expect Jovanovic to make any changes to the starting 11 that we saw today. Even though plenty (myself included) wanted to see Konstantelias instead of Bakasetas, you can't deny Bakasetas has performed time and time again for the Ethniki. He had another good game against the Belarusians, so I don't think he will be dropped for this one.

He's a central midfielder beautiful boy. Bianco coming I guess confirms that the tiny flicker of hope of Zaferis coming in this transfer window has been extinguished. Camara, Meite, Ozdoev and Bianco are our 4 central mids. Kedziora, Michailidis, Lovren, Vogliacco and Bataoulas round out are CB's. I don't know much about Vogliacco but I think we are gun CB short at the back. One who can be a leader and really stand up against quality opposition strikers and hold their own. I've always thought Kedziora is much better next to someone who can lead the defence. Michailidis still worries me, he can dive in and mistime challenges leaving us exposed. He has steadily improved over the last 6-12 months, hopefully he can keep on that trajectory and cut out those errors. Transfers done with the arrival of Bianco (barring a last minute surprise) we have at least 2 players for every position, depth is there. Zafeiris arriving in January. Let's see how the squad gels and what we can do over the next few months.

Wow you guys are a lot more optimistic than I am! Considering where we were a week ago I wouldn't say I'm confident of getting anything more than 10-12 points. Amazing what some wins can do! Lille, Betis, Lyon and Celta Vigo (don't let coefficient fool you they were a top 7 team in La Liga last season) are all games we will start underdog in. Then what you have left is Maccabi, Ludogorets and Young Boys. Okay so we would expect to win these games, but all 3 of those teams are around our level. So it won't be easy, they are no easy beats and all have their own European pedigree. Brann is simply a must win. These 4 games will shape our European campaign, losing one will mean having to make up the points against one of the tougher opponents. Overall it is a tricky draw with only one "easy beat" on paper. Since the introduction of the Conference League, that is what the Europa League has become. We will have to be at our very best in all games. I could see us with 12 points and battling to get into the top 8. I could also see us with 6-7 points and missing out altogether.

He is probably being a little hard done by not being included in the Ethniki squads. He has been a nailed on starter for the last 2-3 seasons for Utrecht. While in that same time Vlachodimos has had barely any game-time bouncing between Forrest and Newcastle. Hopefully that changes for him now he is on loan at Sevilla, but clearly Jovanovic prefers Vlachodimos for as the experienced goalkeeper of the trio. A strong case can be made that Barkas should be one of the three being called up. It probably won't make a difference, looks like Tzolakis will continue to be the starter heading into this WCQ campaign.

Tzimas who signed with Brighton over the summer for around 25 Million Euros, made his debut this morning in League Cup. He came off the bench in the 66nd minute and managed to score twice and grab an assist in that time as Brighton ran out comfortable 6-0 winners against Championship side Oxford United. It was the first time he had been included in the matchday squad, as he and Kostoulas had played for Brighton's Under 21 side in the first couple of weeks of this new season. It remains to be seen how often he is used in this upcoming season, it may very well be a season over development where he plays mainly in Cup competitions and off the bench. He has done his first team prospects no harm with his superb debut. His first goal is at 8.55 into the below video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C24yzJKC_4M&ab_channel=OfficialBrighton%26HoveAlbionFC

Been a long time since we've seen scenes like this.

Lucescu doesn't like change, I dare say it will be Chalov. But who knows, he may surprise us.

No surprises in the call-ups for the commencement of our World Cup Qualifying campaign. Worth noting Giannoulis was subbed off injured over the weekend in Augsburg's season opener (he also scored in that game). If the injury keeps him out of these games I would assume Kyriakopoulos, who has had a great start to the season at Panathinaikos, would be called up instead.

Just win. Olympiacos needed a stoppage time screamer to get the 3 points against Asteras. It doesn't matter how, we just must find a way to get the win. I'll take a scrappy 1-0.

I didn't catch the game but seems like another flat and awful performance. We are crying out for something different in our midfield, Meite and Ozdoev can't create/give you enough drive to threaten opposition teams. Zafeiris needs to happen this transfer window. Hard to judge without watching the game, but if what is being said regarding Baba and his poor form continuing into the early part of this season is true, then I have no idea why Taylor isn't getting a run at it. He came from a big club and played Champions League football last season, surely he can't be stinking up training that much that he isn't worth a run off the bench? Ultimately if we manage to overturn the deficit next week, people will forget this performance much like the Wolfsberger one. There are some red flag for sure, I'll wait until the international break in a couple of weeks before panicking. We must win our first 2 league games, and AEL with no fans won't be easy.

Here is something to make you stop believing Πρόεδρος Σλάβια Πράγας: “Ο Ζαφείρης μένει εδώ, ο ΠΑΟΚ ενημερώθηκε πως είμαστε διατεθειμένοι να αφήσουμε τον παίκτη τον Ιανουάριο" I get it's part of the game. They clearly don't want to let him go. Ultimately will he accept staying there and playing Champions League football for 6 months? I am starting to think this won't get done. I hope I am wrong but man they are being stubborn. Link to the full article for the above quote https://www.sport24.gr/football/proedros-slavia-pragas-o-zafeiris-menei-edo-o-paok-enimerothike-pos-eimaste-diatetheimenoi-na-afisoume-ton-paikti-ton-ianouario/

Unsurprisingly, Sport24 have back peddled a little bit. Reports are now saying Slavia has accepted our improved offer of 12 Million (crazy money by Greek football standards let alone our standards) and some bonuses. Slavia has told the player they will allow him to leave, they are just waiting on his replacement. How long that takes, I don't know. It seems this is really close to happening though. It will be a huge moment in our history if we do indeed sign him for that amount of money. On paper, he is a midfielder that we lack and have lacked for years. A number 8 who is quick, creative and can score. But most importantly he is quick! He could be partnered up with either Camara or Meite and complement them nicely. Still water to go under the bridge but it seems like it is a matter of when and not if.

Sport24 reporting that the deal with Slavia is done and Zafeiris is coming to PAOK. It isn't being reported anywhere else at this stage, so grain of salt but man I hope it's true. ΠΑΟΚ, μεταγραφές: Ο Ζαφείρης γίνεται παίκτης του Δικέφαλου, οριστικό το deal με τη Σλάβια Πράγας https://www.sport24.gr/football/paok-metagrafes-o-zafeiris-ginetai-paiktis-tou-dikefalou-oristiko-to-deal-me-ti-slavia-pragas/

Reports are that Sastre will start over Kenny at right-back. Surprising if it does eventuate like that tbh, Kenny was brought in to be a starter. I for one would be surprised if it does go that way. Otherwise no massive surprises in the predicted starting XI -----------Pavlenka Sastre----Kedziora--Michalidis---Baba -----------Camara----Meite Zivkovic----Konstantelias-----Taison ----------------Chalov

That should be a lesson for you for all our future signings, you're always so negative about them all! Smile my boy, you never know who may end up surprising you.

Wouldn't be a bad move IMO. He has had a good career since leaving Greece and has developed nicely. About 2-3 years ago he chose to go down the money path and go to the MLS (where he played some great football) and now in Mexico. Prior to that he had good seasons in Holland and at Celtic. He is a scorer and doesn't need many opportunities to find the back of the net. He is also big and can play with his back to goal/link up with the rest of the team. Something that Lucescu seems to like (Prijovic, Akpom, Oliviera).

Just so you know pash, you'll be included in my goodbye post😘