paokarag4

Solid win first up, seems we never really got out of 2nd gear and still managed to score three and hit the woodwork another 3 times. On another day we score 5-6. Not too much more to take out of it but the 3 points. France beating the Netherlands is good news, it means assuming we beat Ireland in Greece in June (we also play France in June but we assume that's a loss and anything we get out of it is a bonus) we would be leading the Dutch heading into our match-up in September. The Dutch don't play in June due to the Nations League finals. It will be important going to the Netherlands and being 3 points clear of them in September, meaning a draw will keep ourselves clear of them heading into the last 4 matches. Schedule has helped us, and France sweeping the group will also help. We can keep our noses in-front of the Netherlands until they come to Greece in our 2nd last match. A lot of water to go under the bridge until then, but if we take care of business v Ireland (not easy) and Gibraltar we are in with a fighting chance to pinch 2nd spot.

Kourbelis is out injured and will miss these games. Reports saying that 8-9 players are locked in to start, they are: Vlachodimos, Baldock, Mavropanos, Chatzidiakos, Tsimikas, Siopis, Bakasetas, Mantalos, Fortounis. Question marks are over whether Pavlidis/Giakoumakis starts and Konstantelias/Masouras on the wing. Bakasetas, Mantalos and Fortounis could be played in a few different positions, just depends on how Poyet wants to go about it. Either way I think that team is probably the best we can put out, and it should have enough attacking talent to score a few goals and record a routine victory. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ethniki-elladas-ta-dyo-senaria-sto-myalo-toy-poget-gia-tin-endekada-me-to-givraltar.9982928.html

Baldock deemed fit to play after missing training yesterday, he trained fully today. Bouchalakis and Ioannidis in doubt at this stage. Don't think we'll see anything out of the ordinary in terms of the eleven, would be nice to see Fortounis and Konstantelias starting on the wings given it will be a game where we will dominate the ball and need creativity to break down a parked bus. Don't think Poyet will start Konstantelias though, he's probably more likely to go Masouras or Pelkas. Pavlidis incredible form this season commands a starting spot for him, he'll be leading the line.

I’ve tuned into the last 10 mins or so and all hell has broken loose. Lucescu sent off, fans throwing s%$#! onto the pitch bench’s brawling etc. just another day it seems…. +14 stoppage time as the commotion broke out just before stoppage time . hopefully no more incidents it could get ugly

Really, how come pash? I think he is a good fit for Lucescu's style and while he isn't as a potent finisher as a Prijovic, we play our best football with him on the pitch. We are building towards competing for the title next season (still in the race this year but we are playing catch-up and it's probably out of reach for 22-23), unless an absolute superstar comes I don't see Lucescu wanting to go with anyone else leading the line for next season. I hope he re-signs and is able to keep producing what he has this year. They may look to upgrade on Thomas as the back-up, but his late season scoring may sway the club to trigger his 1+1 renewal option.

We've come a long way from having no strikers to now having too many to call up! Douvikas misses out despite being in solid form for Utrecht. I have no complaints with the 3 strikers who have been called up, but Douvikas can consider himself unlucky. Limnios must be called up more to support and give his teammates a mental boost. He hasn't played for Koln yet since returning from his knee injury but he has had some minutes for their youth team. A little surprised Retsos has been called up, he's been very average for Olympiako this year. Not sure why Poyet doesn't like Nikolaou, called him up a year ago for his first matches in charge and he hasn't been seen since. Despite being a starter in Serie A for close to 2 years. I can see the logic with the Tzavellas call-up (he wants a 'senior' center back in the squad) even if I don't agree with it. An inform Fortounis can only do good for the Ethniki, if he and Konstantelias get on the pitch together we are going to see some magic.

In terms of Trophies won? Yes it is, from 2017 we have won 5 trophies where the club had 6 total honours previous to that recent success (League and Cup). A lot of older fans highlight the 70's as PAOK's golden era, with some legendary players, slick football and our first league title was captured along with 2 cups. My Dad constantly goes on about that period, and how they "Weren't allowed" to win more by the Athens clubs. Way before my time and I personally don't like to get swept up in all that other stuff. For me yes, recent yes has been the most successful. The weight of trophies I think supports that. Ultimately it depends who you ask, others may say the Koudas led team of the 70's was the most successful era for the club.

Absolutely not, given we have recently dropped points against Asteras and PAS we are in position to be that confident we will win and not have 4.5 starters, start the match. I don't think Lucescu will do it either, we may see one or 2 on the bench but I dare say Ingason, Koulierakis and one of Zivkovic/Oliveira will start (if not both). AEK plays Olympiakos this weekend too, so a win will see us either close the gap on AEK or jump Olympiakos on the table. Let's take care of business against Volos, something we weren't able to do in our recent travels.

Novasports highlights should work no matter where you are in the world, I find the highlights from the games on Cosmote hardest to find. Unless PAOK's YouTube channel uploads them, I generally can't find them. Here's a link to this mornings game, hopefully it works for you! https://www.novasports.gr/sport/podosfairo/event/super-league-1/article/12785914/paok-ionikos-6-0-aspromayros-odostrotiras-hls/

Chance of the game being postponed for a second time, if a national tragedy is declared following the train accident in Tempi, which has claimed 36 lives so far.

Seems Koutsias to Chicago is a done deal, 2.35 million Euros up front to us, with bonuses the total fee can reach 3million. We also retain 15% of any potential future sale. I echo the sentiments of those in here, it's a good deal for a player who only played a handful of games for the first team. The kid seems super keen to be playing first team football and that was never going to happen at PAOK at least in the short term so probably a good move for him too. All in all a good piece of business and another player from the academy sold for a solid fee. He follows Tzolis and Giannoulis, plus we all know the money being rumoured for Konstantelias and Koulierakis. Την Κυριακή (26/2) έπεσαν οι υπογραφές της μεταγραφής του Γιώργου Κούτσια στη Chicago Fire. Στα 3,2 εκατομμύρια δολάρια το συνολικό ποσό που θα εισπράξει ο ΠΑΟΚ, άμεση η καταβολή του transfer fee των 2,5 εκατομμυρίων δολαρίων, 15% το ποσοστό μεταπώλησης που κρατάει ο Δικέφαλος, πενταετές το συμβόλαιο (4+1) του Έλληνα επιθε τικού, στα 2,35 εκατομμύρια δολάρια οι δικές του συνολικές απολαβές. https://www.sport24.gr/sthles/to-chronodiagramma-kai-to-plaisio-tis-metagrafis-koytsia-sti-chicago-fire.9954841.html

Tzolis scores his first goal since returning to Norwich. He came off the bench in the 72nd minute and scored in the 94th minute, completing the scoring in a 3-1 win for his side. Interesting reading some comments from his manager post game, he seems to believe in Tzolis which is only beneficial for him. I will post them below. Also should be noted Giannoulis started and played 76 minutes before being subbed off.

You all have been asking for it and it seems it will be happening, Konstantelias will be called up to the senior squad for the Euro Qualifier v Gibraltar. Κωνσταντέλιας: Ο Γκουστάβο Πογέτ έχει τρελαθεί με το "παιδί-θαύμα" του ΠΑΟΚ και τον καλεί για πρώτη φορά στην Ανδρών

Lyratzis was injured and required surgery, he was meant to be out for 6-8 weeks so from memory that will be mid to late March. He hasn't started training properly yet and is still on a modified running program (or some sort of individual training program) Michalidis played a bunch of games with the B team so theoretically he should be match-fit or at least making the squads. It seems Lucescu doesn't see him as part of his plans for this season. With Nasberg being the back-up to Koulierakis.

If you look at the points we've dropped because of late equalisers it is the difference between us being in up to our eyeballs for the title or not. 6 points lost due to late goals v OFI, Levadiakos and now giving away 2 goals v Asteras because of a loss of concentration. Yes we rescued a point late v Asteras at Toumba so you can argue it cancels out one of those results, but still the hallmark of this team under Lucescu in 2017-2019 was being able to see out matches and find ways to win. Fair to say we aren't quite there yet but I am hopeful for next season. For what remains of this season 2nd spot and winning the cup are the goals, even if we beat AEK on the weekend and close the gap, ultimately I don't think we are quite good enough this season to win the title.

He has officially left Celtic and joined Atlanta United in the MLS. Reported fee is around 4.8 million euros. He joins Fountas in the MLS.

Lucescu seemingly taking shots at the lack of transfer activity. Το ποδόσφαιρο είναι για να παίζετε με 11, 14 ή με 16 με τους νέους κανόνες και αν το καταλάβουμε αυτό θα έρθουν και τα αποτελέσματα. Εϊναι κρίμα να κάνουμε τον Ολυμπιακό να φαίνεται τόσο μικρός στον αγωνιστικό χώρο και να μην νικάμε".

The only was Olivera doesn't start IMO, is if he is absolutely exhausted and puts his hand up and says I can't play more than 30 minutes. Otherwise I'd say it's close to impossible that against Olympiakos, Lucescu starts Thomas over him. Agree that Taison being out is a blow, it means if the game isn't going our way there isn't much on the bench that can change the game. Only a change in midfield, ie Dants or F.Soares and maybe throwing on Thomas as a 2nd striker. Let's hope we don't need a plan B and are in control of the game.

Blackhawk, will this game be televised on sportplus like the last few months worth of PAOK home games? You have only listed PAOKTV which no longer televises games and Net Tv Plus, has Net TV decided that they won't allow this game to be shown on sportsplus?

According to reports from both English and Greek media, it seems Norwich are trying to cut his loan short and get him back to England. Norwich's new manager David Wagner has apparently asked for Tzolis to return to the club as he wants to use him for the 2nd half of the season. Hopefully his return means he gets some consistent minutes under his belt and he is able to develop into the player we all want him to be. https://www.pinkun.com/news/23284574.norwich-city-transfer-news-christos-tzolis-set-return/ https://www.sport24.gr/football/diapragmateyseis-tis-norits-me-tin-tvente-gia-tin-epistrofi-toy-tzoli.9921921.html

Kedziora announced officially, 6-month loan from Dynamo Kyiv. Remains to be seen if we bring in a striker in the final few days as has been rumoured for the whole of January.

He beat Lehecka 6-3, 7-6, 6-4 and for the third straight year Stefanos is through to the semi-finals here at the Australian Open. It will be his 4th semi-final in Australia overall but unlike his previous three, he will go into this semi as the favourite. He will take on Khachanov of Russia, who Tsitsi owns a 5-0 record against.

Tsitsipas breezes past Aussie qualifier Hijikata, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2. He'll face a Dutch opponent next in the 3rd round, either Griekspoor or the 32nd seed van de Zandshlup.

Sakkari through to the 2nd round with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 win. Tsitsipas plays in a few hours, his opponent Halys has displayed some good form in the lead-up events. Stef may be in for a tricky night I expect Halys to push him to at least 4 sets. Hopefully I'm wrong and it ends up being a comfortable first up win for him.

Biggest story is the injuries to Lyratzis and Felipe Soares. Lyratzis is really starting to become injury prone, Vierinha will have to be on deck as cover for Sastre and Rafa Soares. Similarly it's a shame for F.Soares, just back from injury himself and pre-world cup was starting to play some good football. With Kurtic rumoured to be on his way out and El-Kaddouri's constant injuries we start to look a little thin in midfield. On we march to the next round to play PAO, pretty sure we are going to be looking at 3 games in about a week with them, with the league match sandwiched between to two cup fixtures.