paokarag4

Obviously we need to try get a draw out of this game but we need to keep in mind UEFA goes on head to head record. So losing 2-1 could end up being crucial down the road

Bakakis once again proving he he doesn't have what it takes to play at this level. The issue is we don't really have an alternative, it's an aging Torosidis (when fit) or a plugging in a center back. You'd have to say for games like this Retsos (again when fit) would be the best option

We are creating some chances now, Donis with another header that he couldn't connect with. With a change of personal at half time as well we might have a chance. But need to start taking our chances could have easily had pulled a goal back by now with the 3 chances we've created

what did you miss fortounis...............

We need to change shape back to 4-3-3, playing a 5-3-2 a formation the players haven;t played together in such a game is a big risk, and so far it's not paying off. Last time we tried to do this was a 4-1 loss against Croatia, all be it under different management

Thinking about it having Donis play as a striker is probably the smart move, regardless of whether Mitro was fit or not. He'll have no defensive responsibilities and will be able to hit the Bosnian's center backs directly. His pace will be a big threat on the break. With that in mind it's hard to see who else starts on the other wing(assuming Masouras is a lock) apart from Bakesetas. Unless he throws Mavrias in, or obviously Donis could play on the wing with Kolouris leading the line.

Durmishaj being called up to replace the injured Mitroglou. Looks like EPO has received the paper work needed from the Albanian FA, but it's still not 100% he'll be able to play the game. Regardless he's en route to link up with the squad. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/ethnikh-elladas-o-ntoyrmisai-sth-thesh-toy-mhtrogloy.5471503.html

His strike rate isn't great but by international football standards it's not awful either. Have a look at his goals per game average compared to Greece's other top scores and it's not too far behind. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team#Top_goalscorers

YES DONIS!! Finally 2-0

How did that stay out

Hammering them but we can't put the ball in the net

A simple ball over the top gets it done, lord we needed that goal. Hopefully we don't relax and take our foot off the pedal with that goal, although they've produced nothing in terms of chances but Liechtenstein has looked dangerous enough when we've turned the ball over and they've countered. Need to come out and chase the 2nd goal and put the game to bed.

GOAAAL!!!

Disappointed with what i've seen from Koutris so far today

Stop shooting from everywhere

What a chance, masouras

I didn't write the article file, just stating what I read. Vlachodimos and Paschalakis are apparently the 2 fighting it out for the start. We won't know until an hour before the game which of the 3 it'll be!

Reported starting XI -------------------Vlaxodimos Bakakis------Siovas----Risvanis/Kourbelis----Koutris --------------------Samaris-----Zeca----- Donis----------Fortounis----------Masouras/Bakestas --------------------Mitro No real surprises if that's how we line up. Hopefully Masouras gets the nod of Bakestas. The only minor concern I have is if Risvanis does start then we have two slowish center backs playing, I don't know the first thing about Liechtenstein's team but if they have anyone with some pace it could cause us some headaches on the breaks. Regardless I'm still confident we'll win and win comfortably. 2 or 3-0 is my bet.

^^^ +1

Pelkas isn't young anymore, he's 25. He doesn't have the quality of Biseswar, El Kaddouri. Yes he works hard and has pace, but his touch is poor. He'll burn 2 players for pace and then his next touch will be awful and he losses possession. His finishing isn't spectacular either but then again we don't have have anyone post Prijo who is an elite finisher. I think the way we are moving as a club, he'll end up as a depth player as he has been since the new year. That is of course unless he's moved on at the end of the season. I can't see any big money offers coming for him though given the season he's had.

Even though I'm a PAOK fan, Vlaxodimos needs to start. I recall leading into the Nations league match against Estonia it was reported that Paschalakis would start and in the end Barkas got the nod. I wouldn't pay too much attention to those projected line-ups, until later in the week.

If Sokratis is indeed out of both games (Greek websites haven't ruled him out completely) Then Samaris/Kourbelis at center back is an option, if Angelos doesn't trust Kolovetsios and Risvanis. Officially Kolovetsios was called up to replace the ruled out Mantalos but no doubt this was done with one eye on Sokratis potentially missing. http://www.novasports.gr/podosfairo/europi/european-championship-qualification/article/444090/stin-ethniki-o-kolovetsios-agonia-gia-papastathopoulo/ https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/epo/ethnikh-elladas-kolovetsios-anti-mantaloy.5467457.html

Fantastic watch this, Sokratis on total football discussing everything from what went wrong post World cup 2014 to where the ethniki should be playing. Also much different listening to him say he'll retire from the ethniki post euro 2020, it doesn't seem all the so doom and gloom. I think if he sees we are a realistic chance of making the World cup in Qatar he may just hang on until then but that's a while off being an issue. Very good watch and Katsouranis provides some good insight into the post Mundial 14 s%$#! show. Worth the watch if you have the time. At 5.52 he begins discussing his beginnings and how he ended up at AEK. The ethniki chat comes a little later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfplRt1mp28

Varela with the biggest hint that he's staying put on his instagram Hopefully they are very close to finalizing the deal https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Paok/paok-o-varela-esteile-mhnyma-paramonhs.5465660.html

Wow. That's a surprise that he'd post that with still 8 games to go (including the cup) at least! Disappointing if he is moving on at the end of the year, but if we are getting good $$ for him then we need to reinvest straight away.