paokarag4

my initial reaction was that it was a foul. As soon as the ref sees a hand on any part of the defenders body he's going to give a foul. Reverse the roles though on something like that is never called as foul inside the box if the defender does that to a striker. but thats football hey Whether or not the goal would have stood had it been scored by olympiako... probably. But its a tough call, line ball. There have been far more obvious decisions that have robbed us and others over the years. No need to cry and scream about the one that is in the grey area

The XI is the same one that blackhawk posted a few posts up. Not all that confident looking at our back half, fingers crossed they do a solid job and we grab a much needed 3 points. Game will be streamed on laola btw for those of us outside Greece

Someone mentioned it in another topic, about how we always seem to sustain so many injuries. I agree it can't be coincidence, whether it be, players being rushed back from injury, not receiving the right treatment while injured or maybe even the surface at the training ground? I seem to recall a few seasons ago (I think under Stevens) they were talking about his training regime being to much for the players and they were looking to re-lay the surface? I may be wrong but something has to be done, our players drop like flies with injuries

I didnt see the game, but agree with what's been said. When you score 3 goals at home against Panthrakikos it should be more than enough to get a win. PAOK listed Tziolis as starting as a centre back, anyone who saw the game can you guys confirm this? We know he can't play there, so put that down as a cross against Tudor. Skondra caught ball watching twice, its been a problem of his since he came, he needs to fix it. Also Think it's enough with Mak as a striker, we know he can't finish. Put him back out wide, I wouldnt mind him as a striker in games where we "park the bus" as his pace can really hurt the opposition when there is space to exploit. The team needs work, no doubt but I think on the whole we are on the right path. Stick with Tudor and we will get somewhere

it's winnable but for some reason i dont have the best feeling going into this one. I've been encouraged by the change of formation and the reports that Xarisi will start, excited to see what he's got. A win how ever it comes would be great, but it's gonna be tough

Apparently almost a done deal with Skibbe, although we've heard that before http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/National-Greece/me-skimpe-h-ethnikh.3733888.html

Disappointing result, all hands on deck in Russia now where the win is a must. I was impressed by Leovac. Sabo I thought maybe needed time to adjust but he just seems to lack a football IQ

Well said 1789, agree 110% with your analysis of the Costa Rica goal

jairio gets sent off seconds after they went down to 10? this is laughable

real ugly, scrappy first half. 400 fouls have allowed no flow to the game. Sabo with his decision making has had me scratching my head. Game is there to be won, looks like it'll take a moment of brilliance to win it

its hard with squad rotation, we need to do it no doubt but with so many players yet to be given a go it makes it hard to "trust" any of them. guys like Antonis, Cirmirot (who I know still isn't 100%) hell even Mystakidi should have been given game time. I know that Mystakidis now has a problem with injury. Anyways definitely not a game we can afford to be dropping points in. Gonna take a big effort especially with that untested back 3, I've said it before I know liked Skondra has a centre back

even with Greece's attacking woes he still won't be given a run and I don't think he will. Not up to the level IMO, never really rated him when he played with us worked hard but never was quiet good enough. Wouldn't be a loss in anyway if he plays for Australia

LOL seriously no to 500k? Siga to paixdi. I've always liked and supported Samaras but this is stupid. He essentially hasn't played consistent football in a year and a half come January and he knocks back a Serie A club cos wages are too low. It's a joke, he is a joke. At 31 come feb and having not played at a high level since the World Cup (played a handful of games of WBA mostly as a sub) he is no position to play hard-ball over wages. A lot of us knew he was lazy but this just further proves it. A talented footballer, but one who has zero desire to revive his career and is chasing $$ Once again I was always a fan of Sammy, he was my favourite Ethniki player a few years ago, but I have lost respect for him as a footballer. Not only over this incident but the way he has carried himself professionally post world cup has just been poor.

has gianniotas been injured or just unable to break into olympiako's team?

very good coach, focused on the youth and was responsible for one of our biggest wins in our history (1-2 away to Spurs) Left a good impression on the fans, most of whom were sad to see him go

If it makes you feel any better dikefale11, i lost everything I made on a tennis multi later the same day xD Because it was a bonus bet, I had to cycle the winnings through twice. So basically I had to bet whatever I won on something else in order to withdraw it, and I thought F*** playing it safe and I went for gold and it didn't come through. shocking! In terms of your bet, the both teams to score/result pay big $ but are hard to hit, but if you manage to hit you'll be laughing! good luck with it! I'm gonna make a multi soon for the football matches over the weekend, ill be sure to post it

we will indeed find out about the Russians in a few weeks. So crucial that we get the win at toumba, then we go to Russia knowing a draw is a good result.

I guess going in we would have taken a point, so a good result. A little disappointing to drop points to that soft goal but they had multiple other chances that on another night go in. We could have pinched another if when we had our opportunities to counter in the second half the players were a little riskier and tried to beat there man. But hey any points picked up against Dortmund are a plus so, bravo sta padia

settled a lot better after the goal. We were able to knock the ball around a little more and defensively we weren't as stretched. Before the wonderful finish by Mak it felt like a matter of time before Dortmund would score. We were sloppy in the back when we had the ball Vitor turned it over twice but in the end we weren't punished. Need to begin the second half as we ended the first nice and tight at the back and break with purpose. There will be chances both ways, just matter of who takes them

goooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Yep that definitely came into my thinking! thanks file, fingers crossed for your bet! no better feeling than winning a multi and feeling like you are a footballing genius :D

top thread! I love losing my money on football! Got a 50 dollar bonus bet today and put the $50 on the double chance Paok or draw at 2.45 (ish) More of a faith bet then anything it'll make it that little bit sweatier if we manage to get the result. Was gonna go full faith in my lads and take us for the win at $6 but thought I'd play it "safe" ;)

The right back situation is an interesting one. I have always rated Skondras as the starter, Kitsiou as the no.2 and I guess from the limited amount I had seen of Konstantinidis didn't really rate him. Now with the change of system and us playing with wingbacks, that requires players with attacking flair and the ability to get forward and play a big role in attack. That style is more suited to Kitsiou and Konstantinidis, who I must say has improved somewhat. Compared to Skondra who IMO is more of a classic full back, suited to a back four. He is not quiet as quick/skilful as the other two. From what we have seen from Tudor it seems, he considers Skondras a centre back in a back 3. In which case he is no.5 in line, or to play at RWB he is at the very least behind Kitsiou and Konstantinidis. So it'll be interesting to see what happens, I rate him and hope he stays and finds a spot in the team. In saying that I believe he has to play at right back, and as long as stelio and dimitri are performing, its gonna be tough for him to break back in

ahhhhhhh gotta love Greek football. How dare a coach want to come in and implement his own philosophy with his own assistants around him? That's unheard of, Schuster must be living in the 1970's very unprofessional by him

Sokratis, Hummels, Kagawa, Aubameyang and Gundagon have been left back in Germany. They are obviously still quality with the likes of Reus and Mkhitaryan amongst others. But it's still a small help, especially with the 2 starting CB's not playing, hopefully Berba, Mak, Pelkas (if he starts) can get hold of them.