paokarag4

Bit of fun since there is no football on at the moment and the world is a little depressing. PAOK are running a vote for our best 11 over the last ten years (2010-2020) They have nominees in every position and the way you vote is by jumping on the social media accounts and commenting who you think should be in the eleven. https://www.paokfc.gr/nea/20200411-paok-fc-decade-all-stars/ My XI: ------------------Paschalakis------------------ Matos-----------Varela-----------Crespo------Lino --------------Pablo Garcia------Misic------- Vierinha--------Ivic----------Bieseswar ------------------Prijovic------------ I think it's completely debatable that Contrears gets in at center back, he was a star. I just think that it's hard to break up the Varela-Crespo combo given they anchored our defense during the record breaking season. Biseswar I would rather play as a dekari given he played some quality football there, but he's listed as a left winger. Despite his poor season he's been very good for three years prior. Some might disagree with Ivic but IMO he was a silky player, very good on the ball with a high football IQ. Very good player in a very good PAOK team. To boot the other options at CAM don't exactly inspire me, but that's just my opinion. P.s: Blackhawk if this is better off in another topic rather than a stand alone please feel free to merge it

I would take him back in a heartbeat. But as you say pash, I can't see it happening. By all reports he's been good in Belgium, no reason why another team from there wouldn't pick him up particularly on a free transfer.

I too am a fan of this system. The only issue I have, as I've mentioned before is that it dilutes the derbies. I feel like initially people were opposed to it because the word play-offs implies something to similar to the old play-offs we had. But IMO it's the best system for Greece, 16 teams is too many. Crowds are far too small our teams simply aren't strong enough to carry 16 or more teams in the Superleague in the long term

I'm saying I have no problem with it. These are unprecedented times and it's honestly not going to bother me that we weren't given the chance to run Olympiacos down, I don't think we would be able to anyway. There is no right or wrong here, I'm just saying if that is what happens I won't be one of the fans saying they didn't deserve the title or PAOK was robbed of a chance to reel in their lead.

See I disagree. I'll agree that he shouldn't be making the whole decision as the manager is oblivious to the financial standing of the club etc. But at the end of the day he is their to coach the team and implement his philosophy on the team. He should have a say and he should be heard. Not doing so can equally destroy a team and ruin a season (as we've seen many times before) A manager absolutely needs to be heard as to which players he wants (within reason of course $-wise) It's not like Lucescu was demanding for them to sign Toni Kroos or Kante. Everyone needs to be on the same page, the owners to the TD to the manager, otherwise it's gonna get ugly and Georgiadis is gonna take over as manager for the rest of the season (if you know, you know ?)

Belgium has cancelled it's season and declared Club Brugge Champions. I think they are handing out European spots based on the current table. They are the first domino to fall regarding European football, I know some leagues are hell bent on finishing the season (Premier league) due to the huge $ involved in TV contracts. For what it's worth this thing has gone way beyond football the first few weeks of it I wanted football to come back (I'm a Liverpool fan so naturally I want to see the reds lift the trophy properly, and of course watch PAOK potentially get a 4-peat in the Cup) I would have no problem with them declaring this season done and awarding the Championship and European places based on current standings. No Cup winner this year. It is obviously an extremely unusual and complicated situation that none of us have ever seen before so who knows what happens.

Since it might be a while until we see the Ethniki (or any football for that matter) thought some of you guys might enjoy this. I didn't know if there was a better topic to post it in, but it's a friendly of sorts between Samaris and Bakasetas

I think El Kaddouri still has one year left on his contract after this season, I maybe wrong though. I don't think we need to get rid of Jaba, we invested a fair bit of money into him it's far too soon to cut our losses and sell him for cheap. He's only 21, and considering he had a solid enough season last season there is enough there to suggest he can be a good player for us. A poor start to this season and then an injury shouldn't mean we ship him off. Shipping off Wernbloom, Stoch and Mauricio (unless he takes a massive pay cut) will free up plenty of cash. Plus the potential sales of Limnios or Giannoulis (I'd try to keep one if possible)

I can't see everything being void. Too many ramifications for relegation/promotion and of course European spots and the champion. I guess the same teams would be going into Europe as last season (only OFI instead of Atromitos would be different, PAO are still banned from Europe I believe) Crazy times and there is no precedent. This is a problem all over European football and world sport, there is no right or wrong but I just can't see leagues turning around and saying let's act like this season never happened. Obviously their priority is to get back and finish off the games somehow, if that can't happen they'll have to end the season as is and the table remains. There's going to be backlash either way, especially in Greece.

Really hope Vryzas isn't the man to replace Branco, if he is we're just going round and round in circles. We had takes a step in the right direction appointing guys like Arnesen, Lubos and now Branco. Although they had varying levels of success they had connections in the European market and a decent reputation where they could pull some half decent players across. I do agree though our squad needs a big upgrade, everyone has aged and this was evident from last year. I think if Lucescu had stayed we would have been in the mix for the title (not that we weren't up until the last few matchdays, but I think we probably would've lead for much of the season) Razvan got 2 very good seasons out of this squad, he would've squeezed a third IMO. Abel was trying to teach players upwards of 30 a new style and system to play it was always going to be tough.

I actually like this format of the playoffs. In a country like Greece I think it's the right away to go, 36 game season without having 18-20 team in the league which isn't viable for Greece. Play everyone twice then divide the league, makes it tougher to win the title as you play the other top 6 teams again. The only thing that I probably don't like about it, is that it dilutes derbies. Instead of 2 Olympiacos V PAOK we get 4, by the time we get around to game 3/4 it's lost it's edge a little. Obviously broadcasters won't care, as the derbies are the games that pull in the biggest tv audiences.

My position has always been if we've done something wrong punish us. It appears we have been found of some wrong doing so no issues with a punishment being handed out. My issue is, and it's already been mentioned is that the only information and evidence being provided is by Olympiacos media. I read the "unaffiliated" sites and there appears to be nothing concrete. Anyway I'm not a gavro I'm not going to sit here and scream and shout that my team is innocent and it's all a conspiracy against us. We've done something wrong, we can appeal to EPO (I think) and then CAS. If the club believe the punishment is harsh or we are innocent then fine let's appeal it. My only hope is that in future all legal proceedings in Greece are dealt with in this type of time frame and this type of efficiency. Like the ones were Marinakis is charged with corruption and drug trafficking charges (or have those ones been dropped already because the evidence was misplaced? ) But I won't hold my breath.

Season comes down to this IMO. The league is over, we aren't making up 7 points I think even the most passionate PAOK fan can see that. Need a good result here to go to Karaiskakis with a fighting chance. It's going to be tough, they are a good team as we know. Our form is poor (We never really set the world alight this season) not to mention our issue at the heart of our defense. I think Mihaj is the logical choice as he has some senior experience in the Super league and is actually a center back. Who ever gets the nod is being thrown under the bus, either it will be someone playing out of position (Matos) or someone who has hardly seen the pitch this season (Mihaj/Michalidis) If we manage to keep a clean sheet it will be a minor miracle.

Really doesn't seem that long ago we were sitting around 12th-13th. Very important result today, hopefully Olympiacos continues on for the sake of our ranking.

Huge win Congrats!!

The Netherlands friendly has been confirmed, JVS no doubt using his connections to get us a good test against a very good team. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/ethniki_elladas/ethnikh-spoydaio-filiko-ton-maio-me-ollandia.5683474.html

I know it appears so, but apparently there is a rule that has been brought in where players can not serve their card bans in the last 2 matches of the season. It forces everyone to sit out this match and be able to play the last 2 not sure if the logic is to stop this type of funny business but it's what I heard on radio. The rule is kind of flawed given we have playoffs and an extra 10 games coming up so not sure why it matters so much. EDIT: Blackhawk provided this quote in another thread explaining it a little better. Πειθαρχικός Κώδικας άρθρο 7, παρ. 4δ «Οι ομάδες δεν έχουν δικαίωμα να δηλώσουν προς έκτιση ποινής τις δύο τελευταίες αγωνιστικές ημέρες του πρωταθλήματος καθώς και τους αγώνες κατάταξης που ακολουθούν (play off, play out)»

I feel we're in for a bumpy ride, I don't think this will be straight forward at all. I do believe we have a goal in us but Panathinaikos will be brimming with confidence given what they did to us at OAKA just a week ago. I feel from kick off they will be pressing and harassing us like crazy. Crowd will be right behind and if they score first it's well and truly going to be on. Keep our heads and when we win the ball we need to be smart, move it quickly to not allow them to press us and exploit the space that PAO will leave as they chase goals. It goes without saying the first goal of the game is crucial.

We aren't the only country going with foreign refs, seems Benfica is having a bit of a Greek moment. https://www.sport24.gr/football/Portugal/h-mpenfika-zhthse-ksenoys-diaithtes-sto-prwtathlhma.5680440.html

Bit of analysis on his year so far, with input from his manager. https://www.sport24.gr/Files/tasos-mpakasetas-etoimos-gia-ektokseysh-kai-pio-plhrhs-apo-pote.5679481.html

I agree, the rule is a joke I haven't heard of another league in the world where you can choose who your suspended against. Edit: Squad announced Pelkas left out, seems he has a knock nothing major. El Kaddouri back for the first time in 2020. Interesting to see if Ferreira goes with Vierinha at full-back or on the wing. Πασχαλάκης , Ζίβκοβιτς , Μάτος , Ροντρίγκο , Βαρέλα , Ίνγκασον , Μιχάι , Γιαννούλης , Βιεϊρίνια , Αουγκούστο , Μαουρίσιο , Μίσιτς , Εσίτι , ΕλΚαντουρί , Μπίσεσβαρ , Λάμπρου , Λημνιός , Σφιντέρσκι , Άκπομ

Agree in terms of Kolouris, he's a poacher not too dissimilar to Swiderski, at least in terms of style. Don't think he'd add anything. Midfield is where the concern lies. All I know is we better sign Misic ASAP on a permanent deal because the longer it goes without an official announcement the more nervous I get that he won't be around next season.

According to this article JVS is considering calling up 7 "new" player for the friendlies in March. Pouggouras, Mavropanos, Kyriakopoulos and Lampropoulos (not exactly new) These 4 he's considering as Center backs, even though we know Kyriakopoulos as a left back it seems JVS really wants a left footed CB and thinks he can shift him into the center of defense similar to how he's done with Stafylidis. He's also considering Marinakis (OFI) as cover for right back, as well as Tsilianidis and Xatzigiovanis to play on the wings. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/ethniki_elladas/ethnikh-elladas-oi-7-neoi-poy-vlepei-o-fan-sip.5678894.html

I think you've mixed up the games Alphonse, they played Yeni on the weekend. Today they beat Galatasaray 2-0 in the first leg of the Cup quarter final today. Bakasetas scored a very nice goal on his right boot. Not sure what his goal on the weekend is like, he scored in both games. He's been in very good form.

Leonidas Stergiou is a 17 year old center back playing in Switzerland with St.Gallen. He has been in a starter in 18 of their 20 league matches so far and his team sit on top of the Swiss Super league. He is born and raised in Switzerland to a Serbian Mother and a Greek father (according to wikipedia) EPO is aware of him and is apparently interested in him. Can JVS pull it off again and convince another Greek aboard to play with the Ethniki? It'll be tricky as this kid appears to have the world at his feet at only 17 playing regular senior football at a decent level. It should also be noted he is a Swiss youth international from under 15's-Under 19's. https://www.novasports.gr/podosfairo/super-league/article/1731870/stergiou-to-paidi-thauma-tou-ellinikou-podosfairou https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonidas_Stergiou