paokarag4

He was not in the squad last time. The reason he and Mysta I think have been included this time is because it's an extended squad of 23 compared to 18 for the first leg. The team is staying Switzerland after the game and training there on Thursday. So that could be why. No Biseswar is gonna hurt, would have been handy off the bench even

Savvidis junior hinting at a big signing being on the way? https://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/paok/to-aeroplano-toy-savvidh-erxetai-suntoma.5273794.html Surely he doesn't mean the Arsenal under 21 guy?

I'm not too worried about the Maurico rumours at this stage, that just seem to be as blackhawk said fake news. We have been linked to Romanian left back Alin Tosca, who currently plays at Real Betis. He spent the last 6 months of last season on loan at Serie A club Benevento who was eventually relegated. The more I watch Vieirinha bomb forward and look so dangerous in attack, and the ease in which he seems to beat players (he looked sharp v Basel) I can't get over the feeling that we are losing out playing him at left back. So whether Tosca is the one or not we need to sign one asap. Vieirinha will be a huge asset in his natural position on the wing. SIGN A LEFT BACK!!!!!

Teams that sack a coach tend to have an immediate spike in performance. It will be interesting to see how they go this weekend in their league game. Hopefully their instability plays in to our hands rather than rallying their squad

2-0 would have been a great result, conceding that sloppy goal may come back to bite us. I only saw the last 30-35 mins, but Limnios looked good to my surprise. Last year it was Lucescu now is Limnios about to make me eat some good old humble pie??

That looks awful.....

Our former goalkeeper Robin Olsen is apparently close to joining Roma to replace Alisson. We hold 20% of his resale value, so according to Contra we stand to net 2.4-3.4 million. Depending of course on what the final price is. Also the Karelis rumours have reappeared, reports coming out of Belgium that we are into him. I personally wouldn't mind him as a back-up, he was in great form with Genk 18 months ago before injuring his knee. He's worth the risk IMO if he was to come at a decent price, but Genk value him at 5 mil, which would never happen. Maybe a loan move will eventuate? Olsen Karelis

Biseswar being out is a big blow. I agree with you pash, this injury IMO guarantees Warda will start. Mean while the other flank is still open for the taking Jaba and Lambrou step up and show us what ya got

Seeing most of this game has done nothing to convince limnios should be anywhere near the starting XI. His touch is pretty poor and it's always 50-50 when the ball is passed to him if its gonna stick or not. In this 2nd half, he's had numerous 1V1's against a defender and has not beaten anyone. Still a loooong way to go before he's starting material IMO

I take anything a Greek journalist says as completely wrong and inaccurate, so looks like he's out for a month ? Seriously though, hopefully it's nothing and he's right to go for the first leg v Basel. Such an important player

Oh no, Varela down.... Take him off F*** this EDIT: He's just been carried off by the doctors, wasn't putting any weight on his right leg. God I hope it's nothing serious

Apparently Stuttgart rejected a 10 million euro offer from an English club for Donis. http://www.contra.gr/Columns/to-evaggelio/article5261985.ece Big season coming up for him, really needs to get some regular minutes and be a starter

Could be a load of kaka pash (not the Brazilian maestro)

Probably not a huge worry, looked like most of the team that played was a second team/depth players. Not sure about who got subbed on I'd expect tomorrow we'd see a first team play

Apparently we are locked in a battle with Olympiakos to sign Flamengo midfielder Willian Arao http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/metagrafes/paizei-ta-resta-toy-o-paok-gia-goyilian-tha-ta-dei-o-olympiakos.5260998.html

pash re that 6-7 scoreline was on penalties ? you golden boy you

I agree with @Yiankos a good left back is key. I can't help but think Vieirinha has more to offer higher up the pitch as a winger.

IMO that's flawed logic if that's why Lucescu isn't going to start Khacheridi. If he has seen some things he hasn't liked, he hasn't clicked with Varela etc then fair enough. But I would've thought games against Basel is exactly the reason Khacheridi was brought in. Loads of experience played in the group stage of the Champions league, knockout stage of the Europa league. haha your boy mysta is in with as good a shot as everyone else to potentially get a start on that wing heading into the Basel games. The other three probably have a slight edge, but as you said all 3 all have their question marks. Is another alternative if El Kaddouri is fit and he slots Pelkas onto the wing? Not that I want 2 no.10's on the wings but just thinking it's maybe another way Lucescu could go if he doesn't trust Limnios/Lambrou/Jaba

Basically the same line-up as what we saw at the tail end of last season. Perhaps Jaba to start on the wing? I'm not a fan of Limnios (at least what I saw last season, haven't seen him play this pre-season) He has some work to do before he's starting IMO. Haven't seen much of Jaba/Lamprou but they could potentially be in the running. Another interesting thing to note, Lucescu seems to be favouring Crespo over Khacheridi despite the latter's signing being a "bam". We don't know if that will be the case come the Basel games, or the start of the league season. But for the moment, for whatever reason he's favouring the old firm

Yep a little surprised with Henrique. He has bucket loads of attacking talent but he seems to lack the all round side to his game, doesn't play in a system well/track back. I guess this is further proven by the type of teams he has gone to/is about to off head to on loan.

Agree Jaba has looked solid, hasn't tried to over do it and is playing the easy pass which at times is the best option. He also seems to have some nice touches EDIT: WOW! what a run and finish by Jaba! beat 3 players, very well done. 1-0

Seems El Kaddouri felt some pain in the warm-up and he won't take any part today. Pelkas has taken his place

You got any sauce with that? @pash

he did well, was always gonna be tough v Isner who is such a big and consistent server. Had one bad service game in the first set which allowed Isner to break and take out the set. Took him to 2 tiebreakers after that. No shame in his performance, he's had a brilliant run and there should be another nice little jump for him in the rankings. Hopefully he can carry this form into the US hardcourt season

Warda I believe caught the same flight with the team out of Thessaloniki. Prijo is currently on route to link up with them in Holland. The Warda v Henrique battle for the final "xeno" spot on the squad will have to be decided in the coming weeks. Unless of course Warda is on his way out then no decision to be made