paokarag4

They dont want to. The a-league is almost the step after the middle east/asia point of these big name players careers. Look at the history of the big names who have come to the aleague. Robbie fowler 34-35, gallas 36-37, Even del pieiro who was a HUGE signing name wise came at 38. These players perhaps with the exception of Del piero go to the aleague when they cant get the money/offer they want in Asia/middle east and are very desperate to scrap another year or 2 of professional football. Even Luis Garcia who has now signed for Central coast is 36-37? And hasnt played professionally in like 2 years. Occasionally in modern football we will see a european based player who is money hungry go to the middle east chasing cash far before he is in the twilight of his career. Assomah Gyan, Weiss, Stoch are a few who spring to mind, and we all know the story with Samara and Fetfa. That will never happen in the aleague, not enough $$ to lure those sorts

Berba interviews himself and confirms what everyone thought, he is frustrated at not starting. Intresting to see if there will be any fall out from this http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/paok/synenteyksh-ston-eayto-toy-o-mpermpatof-hrtha-gia-na-paizw-oxi-na-kathomai-ston-pagko.3878745.html

I tend to agree with you bananas I think he will start also. Olsen has given Tudor something to think about though

Vellidis officialy signed for 2 and a half years. Intresting to see if he is a walk up starter or if Olsen is given a chance to retain his spot given his performance aganist Xanthi. http://www.paokfc.gr/nea/paiktis-tou-paok-o-markos-vellidis/

goooooaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!!!!!!!!!

personally i never rated him that highly. He is quick and he works hard, can't pick a pass. can't really dribble. Not really the smartest of players (sometimes will slide tackle when he shouldnt but he has improved this part of his game to his credit) Which is fine he is a kofti and he has improved the last few years. But for me Cimirot and Xarisi seem to be better "footballers" that's not to say Kace doesn't have place in the squad. But when the other two offer similar hustle and are better on the ball, why wouldn't you be playing them? SUB: Xarisi for Maleza Tzioli goes to center back. Any idea if was an injury that forced stelio off?

I'd dare say that Xarisi would push Kace for speed, but hey unless we can line them up in the school yard then lets just say they are both quick hey pash ;) one thing is for sure u are certainly quicker than me pash

according to reports the pacey and dynamic xarisi and cimirot (left out of the squad, to be "rested") are going to be replaced by the slow (tzioli) and not so techincal (kace) interesting to see what effect that will have on the rest of the team I'm betting we will be a little slower and lack a touch of creativity. Should still be enough to beat Veria but we will see. Tzavella also missing because of cards. Reported line up ------Melissa--------- Skondra-----Vitor-----Maleza----Mistakidi/Korovesi Jairo-------Kace-------Tzioli---------Mak ------Klaus-----------Berba Apparently it will be a 4-4-2

Pelkas plays most games for us. He does have talent but needs work. At times he can be a little too selfsh and try to do too much on his own. He is not a winger, he's an attacking midfielder, play him in behind the striker. He's not starting XI material yet for the ethniki, he should probably be making the 23's but with guys like Kone and Fortouni ahead of him in the pecking order I don't see him starting as the "dekari" at least to start the qualifiers off anyways. As we go his form with us and what he shows coming off the bench for the NT will dictate him starting or not

I really want to see Mystakidi been given a run of 4-5 games playing as a no.10, give him a chance to show us what he can do in his actual position

beautiful play! mak goal!!

such a classic Klaus goal

and no change of formation, mystakidis playing as a left back.... Leovac is probably our best crosser to take him off and put an attacking mid at full back, cant say i agree with that sub but lets see

Mystakidis in for Leovac, maybe a change of formation to come too

Starting 11 is the same as the weekend against PAS except Melissas instead of Olsen. If it aint broke, hopefully cimirot and xarisi produce another performance like on sunday and we'll go a long way to qualifying

Kace (again) and Olsen left out of the squad. Not looking good for Olsen, and dare I say Kace may struggle to find his way back into the 11 if Cimirot and Xarisi keep up there form. They both are far better on the ball than he is and provide similar "hustle"

what a strikeeeeeee

Good first half, lots of movement. Cimirot and Xarisi have given a lot of energy and chased every ball like mad men. Now to grab a second and get some breathing space

goooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

looking dangerous, Pelka looking good, Mak shockingly looks a lot more comfortable in his natural position. So far so good

-----Olsen ---Kitsiou----Vitor---Tzavella---Leovac ----Cimirot-----Charisis ----------Pelka--- Jairio------Klaus-----Mak Rate the formation and the XI fingers crossed for a good perfomance

if they played at toumba there would be no more than 8-9k there (that might be being generous) The problem in Greece is the same all round, the fans barely to give two stuffs about there own team (reflected in attendance numbers) let alone the Ethniki. Another thing that would be an issue in Thessaloniki is the "organwmeni" or "ultras" would not step foot near the ethniki as they see it as "Athenian" and it stands for everything that is anti-PAOK in Greek football. But if we make the final 16 of the world cup or quarters of the Euro, we are all proudly Greek and all take to the streets waving our flags. Its the Greek way

how does that work in Vezyrtzis favour? wasn't he the one who wanted to bring in Galitiso? or are you saying this is just the beginning of the civil war ?

Let the silly season begin!! Linked to a loan for Immobile http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/paok/protathhke-o-imompile-ston-paok.3832448.html

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