paokarag4

Hasn't stopped us signing players in previous years

Even though they'll come down hard on us, finally Savvidis does what he said and comes through on a threat. It won't change anything but its a start Bravo Ivan

Apparently Savvidi is standing firm and we won't be playing the 2nd leg http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/GreekCup/paok/den-katevainei-karaiskakh-o-paok.4017692.html

Really?? I don't think it was given as a 0-3? If its past the 60th minute or something then any result stands in terms of an abandonded game. I don't recall hearing about EPO awarding it as a 3-0 to olympiako, our punishment was the points deduction and fine. I could be wrong though

So even if they take the 5 points from us, the only way we miss the playoffs is if there is a crazy 3 way tie between us, Pas, and Atromitos. If our appeal is successful and they give us even one point back then we are safe in the playoffs.

Klaus is an ok poacher but thats it. When was the last time in a big game we said, Jesus Klaus took the game on and won it for us? He is not that sort of player, which is fine. But our team isn't good enough to have our striker standing in the box waiting for balls and chances to come his way. We need a striker who will come deep, be part of some build up play, play with there back to goal. Sure its okay for him (or any striker) to play as a pure poacher against Kalloni and others, but in European games and against the other big teams we need someone who will offer more than just a tap in. He has a good scoring record against Olympiakos but some of his worst game I recall being against PAO, AEK and in Europe against decent oppostion. Again, he is an ok poacher and scorer, but he does also fluff many chances he really should bury considering he is a poacher. Nothing against him I don't mind Klaus at all, but I think looking at it objectively if we want to take the next step he can not be our starting center forward. Just my opinion

My bet is they reverse it And we go to Pieraus and qualify for the final :D

what a joke. It's debateable whether Klaus and Vellidi are even PAOK quality, let alone for the ethniki. PAE have bigger things to worry about then who's is and isn't getting called up. Tziolis hasn't played much lately, yet he got called up? No word on that though? I'll just wait for the kafenio warriors to come in and tell us it's because he used to play it PAO and he is in with EPO. Far bigger issues to concern ourselves with then this rubbish

Santos after the world cup with the ethniki said he wanted to return to club coaching, since he couldn't find a job he took the Portugal job once Bento got the sack for Portugal's poor start to the qualifiers. That might still be a lure for him but maybe coaching his nation into a World Cup will be a bigger pull. He is a results manager, he got them with us and got them with Ethniki and now Portugal, I too think Portugal with Santos keeping tight and one of the best weapons on the counter (Ronaldo) are dark horses to win the Euro. I honestly wouldn't mind Santos, and I feel with the runs on the board he would be given at least 2 seasons but then again it is Savvidis a couple of losses and he will be shitty he can't go into the dick measuring contest with Marinaki and Theodordi.

It's always someones fault amorgos! But seriously, I have no problem with playing kids who have talent (Cimirot,Pelka, Mystakidi, Xarisi etc all look good and to have good futures) The problem is this Greece and fans demand immediate results no matter what the plan is. And I think in PAOK's case Savvidis is the same as the fans. He wants the team to win, he has no patience for development and building. Which is fine, then go get yourself a Technical director who understands, a seasoned coach who has had good runs in Europe and be prepared to pay for ready made players. I have no problem with either tbh, there just needs to be cohesion and everyone needs to understand and be on the same page. Which I don't think has happened since Savvidis arrived

exactly right bananas. Arnsen's plan was to build a team around a core of young players. He is now gone. You can't blame Tudor for us not having the players to compete. If we want immediate results, Savvidis needs to put his hand deeper into his pocked and bring ready made players. And even then there is no guarntee. Like I've said before Tudor may not be the one to lead us to success but he should be given at least a chance

Started and scored a nice volley to make it 3-0 against his old side Hellas Verona. He was subbed off after 58 minuets http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Italy/SerieA/sampdoria/gkolara-xristodoylopoyloy-kontra-sthn-prwhn-omada-toy.3941229.html

Not Rodrigues for another week at least, left out of the squad Also Cimirot left out of the squad and will be assesed on Monday after copping an injury, hopefully its nothing too serious

I do agree that might work but as you say neabafra it would be tricky to manufacture. With us PAO and AEK if you could get Larissa, Aris from the lower divisons and any other willing teams to come join. The problem is UEFA would still recoginze the Superleague as the official league and European spots would remain in that league. So that would deter any "neutral" teams to maybe break away and take a stand.

Ah yes just another chapter to add to the theater that is Greek football. I'm with most here, it was so obviously robbery there is no point discussing it. And yes refs do miss things but it always seems to be to the advantage of Olympiakos. In terms of the fans its been said to death, something needs to be done. Not arrest a few and let them out through the back door. There needs to be serious action taken but it wont be, because we are speaking about Greece. There is no justification for what the fans did, there never will be, its a football match. BUT I do get it and I feel like this time was more justified then when it happened 2 years back. But until Greece as country changes these things will still happen. Now as for Savvidis ive always thought he was a good buisness man but a poor football person. He has that Greek "mangia" about him and it began from when he first came and used to speak to the media for 2 hours after matches. He's helped us hugely financially and I'll be forever greatful but deep down he is no different to an "opado" He makes rash emotional decisons as a fan would (Be it with what he says or sacking coaches/TD's) and he just blurts out whatever pops into his head. For those saying he will look stupid if he doesnt follow through on his threats that ship has sailed. I recall a game last year where we lost in Tripoli and we were sooooooo poor and outplayed it wasn't funny. The ref made one wrong call which lead to an astears goal, they beat us 3-1. But PAOK came out with an announcment attacking Greek football and Marinaki, Savvidis and is people proved then (and even before) they'll just make empty threats. I'm not against speaking out against all the corruption but we chose a game where we were servely outplayed to come out stamping our feet, when there are far more OBVIOUS incidents to speak out against. Today is different, today it is very obvious. The only thing I agree with Savvidis on is not sending the team to Athens there is no point. Finally put your money where you mouth is Ivan and do it. Keep the team home. Who cares anymore. Greece is a mess. Greek football is a mess. It will never change.

So basically we want someone like Liverpool, who look unlikey to make the top 4 in the premier league to win the Europa? Because then they would go into the champions league via being the champions of the Europa, so that would open up a spot in the Europa league Group stage for the Greek cup winner? Am I way off? :huh:

Confirmed 2nd match in Melbourne. To be held at Etihad stadium which only holds 53,000 a lot of people will miss out http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos-v-greece-ffa-confirms-melbourne-will-host-second-friendly/news-story/dc71dfed4ca2de663264ced1e504ee52

This guy just bangs them in for fun where ever he goes. Sion unlucky not to go through, I beleive they hit the woodwork in stoppage time and had they scored then they would have gone through on away goals. Unlucky.

Looks like anyone who was considering Giannou as an option will have to take him out of there potential XI's. No big loss IMO http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/apostolos-giannou-signs-for-guangzhou-rf-declares-intention-to-play-for-socceroos/news-story/25de83793b88f7cbbe7e791a0665f23e

^^ As much as I don't like him, Maniati getting minutes in Belgium could be crucial. I feel he is better suited to playing as the "kofti" than Samari who could play next to him or slighly higher up with Fortouni as the dekari. Then that just leaves the wings which is anyones guess, do we give Fetfa a shot? not really playing in the middle east is he injured? Karelis has been good since his move but it seems he is being played as an out and out striker rather than wide. Can Kone recapture his WC 14 form? he looks better centrally though.... Lazaro is used rarely off the bench at Sampdoria. We have midfielders, the thing for us is finding the right combo which we couldn't do after 10 qualifiers and a handful of friendlies. Our biggest issue is plugging those wide postions, and it has been for years.

Read an article (not sure how reliable it is) that a Chinese team has offered 2.5mil for Klaus and we arent interested in anything under 7mil. IF its true than we really are stupid, what a chance to offload a player that isn't starting XI quality and make some decent money off him. I have nothing against Klaus but I just feel realistically he isn't at the level we need to move forward. Add to that, he's captain and there is pressure on Tudor (or whoever else) to play him. I don't think we can take the next step with Klaus penciled in as our starting striker.

got mine today! looks really good and no need to fear blackhawk no sportingbet logo on the shirt. Comes in a really cool box with a book with some of the most historic wins in our different kits throughout history. For all the s%$#! Savvidi is copping now the one thing he has done is give us an off-field presence be it through our store and these products or social media

the people aren't the problem, its the club, the fans, the media. PAOK could bring in Mourinho/Pep and the best tech.director in the world and we would still be what we are. Until there is a clear plan and it is stuck to thenv its gonna be the same song and dance every season. The squad isn't great but we have a good core of young players, we need to hold onto them and build. But you can never satisfy the "organwmeni" who have far too much power and say. PAOK needs to change but PAOK is simply a product of Greek football which allows this to happen.

@PAOKSYD I don't know if Santos had a worse squad? The squad that he won the play-offs with was probably one of the best we have had in the last 15-20 years out. Vieriniha, Contreas, Garcia, Lino all stars in there own right. Add the likes of Vitolo, Sorlin, Musli and Sznaucner who were all good solid players. Our current teams does not even come near that team. Santos built a quality side, and its no coincidence he was given team and acheived some of our best results in the last 20 plus years. We need to give someone some time, give Tudor 2 seasons, if we don't like what we are seeing then fine move him along. No coach can build anything in half a season. Like I've said before Tudor might not be the guy to lead us to glory but we need to give him a chance. Otherwise its the same story every season

Kitsiou and Vitor trained a little lighter today, hopefully they are good to go for Thursday. Mista is looking unlikely Leovac took part in a bit of the main training session but doubt he'll be ready to play in 2 days. http://www.paokfc.gr/nea/taktiki-kai-katoxi-ballas/