Ellada2004

Since he loves attacking style then let's see if he brings in Fetfa? Was Van't Ship scouting the PAOK game today vs his favourite Ajax?

Zeca is needed because he does a lot of the grunt work. As for Samaris I don't know what he is doing lately for us he constantly gives away the ball when we are in possession and he is a defensive liability. Fortounis is amazing on the ball no question. What a shame he got injured in a friendly match with OLY and is out for the remaining qualifiers. What's going on with Donis is he healthy to play?

Great statement regarding Sokratis and Manolas. They better start playing like the world class defenders they are. They were the ones who pretty much got Ange canned so they better step up there game. Sokratis was terrible vs Armenia and the pair have been in poor form for the Ethniki since this campaign began.

Agreed, I won't get into the whole if Fetfa belongs on the NT debate but there is no way Bakasetas should be selected over him that's for sure. Samaris has gone downhill I was expecting him to be a solid player for the NT. The new coach was watching the AEK and Aris matches I can't wait to see who he selects and in some cases who he leaves out for the September qualifiers.

I feel your frustration J1078 you are like me all in with the Ethniki. It’s been a very rough past 5 years. Its been a roller coaster, finishing last in our group in Euro 2016 qualifying was probably the lowest point. We almost made It to Russia when lots of people thought we would have finished 3rd place behind Bosnia. Hopefully Van’t Schip has the team ready for Finland. If Greece can scrape out a win will be two points behind and will be playing Liechtenstein in Greece the next match day while Finland will be hosting Italy.

I was not thrilled with Skibbe especially in the first leg vs Croatia and in the nations league match at Finland but in retrospect as I posted before he managed to get us to the World Cup playoffs in a group with Belgium where we tied them in Brussels and we were minutes away from handing them a rare home loss. Also he didn't lose to Bosnia and if not for mantalos missing a sure goal Greece would have won in Zenica. If I knew Ange would have been this erratic it would have been better to just stick with Skibbe for these qualifiers. Anyways like I have said I hope Van't Schip can some how get this team focused on playing sound winning football. Greece have better talent than everyone in this group with the exception of Italy.

It's one aspect of our problem.. Coaches playing players out of position is another for example.

I hope he is able to pick the best players for the NT (not the EPO) so no Bakasetas for example. Will wait and see what happens vs Finland. I pray to God that he can get this team to play with cohesion and get us back into contention for second place.

OLY move on after a huge 2nd half pumping in 4 goals on Plzen.

God I hope he works out. The EPO is still paying Anastasiadis and Skibbe. They also wasted money on the fool Ranieri for a disastrous 4 game run in Euro 2016 qualification.

That's right the EPO messed things up with the hire of Ranieri the guy is a clown and didn't take the job seriously. When Greece had tough focused coaches like Rehagel & Santos who knew what they were doing and stuck to the right tactics and played to the strengths of the NT the results don't lie. Euro championship where the team stifled amazing talented sides like Spain France, Czech Republic and Portugal. Countries such as England who had there so called "Golden generation" during the same time fell flat and couldn't even reach a semi final. With Santos the team was consistently obtaining results and qualifying for world cup and Euro's. The EPO needs to stop hiring these mid tier coaches and find someone who is credible and can work within our style.

Hopefully with a new coach these players will be successful and I hope the Ethniki can turn things around in Finland.

Hey Dean, that's a tough question. I think the new coach has to keep some of the veterans on the team to help stabilize the team so Torosidis should be there to help on the pitch and in the dressing room. On the back end we have solid players in Manolas and Sokratis. Siovas is good and if Retsos can stay healthy he will be a huge asset along with the emerging Koutris. In midfield we have an electric player in Fortounis who will keep growing and improving. Zeca is a work horse and I love his attitude. I would keep Kourbelis in there. As for Samaris he is slipping he should be far more effective but in the last two qualifiers and the friendly vs turkey he was one of our worst players. Maybe the new coach gives Tachtsidis another shot? I thought early on he would be more of an asset for us? He had that great showing vs Hungary in 2016 euro qualifying match and had a solid showing at Belgium were he eventually and unfortunately got sent off. Up front I would go with Koulouris I think he will start scoring for us if given the chance. Mitroglou is also a proven scorer and usually takes his chances as we have seen over the years. Bakasetas should never be selected. He has shown very little in his 30+ appearances with the NT. In the end the EPO have to pick a coach who can get the best out of our players. The last coach that was able to do that was Santos and in the 5 years since he has left our results have been horrible except for getting to the playoff of the World Cup were Croatia were too much for us.

Fetfa and Ninis had the vision and skill for the attacking side of the game now Fortounis is the guy but he needs help around him. I'm still pissed at how Holebas left the NT he could have helped us even going into this campaign. As for Samaris I never thought he would be in such decline at this stage of his career I don't think he should be starting anymore.

According to agonasport looks like the EPO will hire Van't Schip at there next board of directors meeting on July 31. Also says Aron Winter, whos involved with Ajax coaching system will be named his direct assistant.

Was not a good performance by OLY especially in the first half. Plzen could not finish a couple good chances. Do they ever need Fortounis. OLY should scrape out a win at home.

Right on! I remember when Santos was in charge Greece conceeded 4 goals in 10 matches in 2014 world cup qualifying now we give up 2 or 3 almost every game. We have to fix the defence, no way we should be this bad with the players we have at our disposal.

I have a feeling from listening to Nova sport that the EPO are quite keen on hiring Van Schip.

I hope so we are not meant to play all out attack like Brazil or Belgium and like Holland did in the 1970s, even though I prefer that style.

Oh my God.. Didn't hear that? How much money would this guy command?

He played for Holland in 1988 Euro championship team. He coached FC Twente. Apparently he likes to play a very high pressing and attack style. Can we succeed with that style is the question?

I think the EPO will go for a foreigner. If so I hope they give him free reign with player selections, thats a big ask though.

Ya that's puzzling that with those guys the team was still dysfunctional.

Our players are good enough especially to get 2nd place in this group so not being able to achieve qualification will be almost as bad as when we failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Let's hope they can go to Finland and squeeze out a win although without Fortounis it will be difficult but Finland are a country who have never qualified for any European Championship or World Cup..

It was inevitable after Sokratis called him out after the Armenia game. Ange is a very good man I wish it would have worked out better for him and the Ethniki but the last two games were a mess. Let's see who they go to now? I'm hearing Ouzounidis or they said on sport fm they will go with a foreigner with no connection to Greek football. Anyways they don't have much time until the next game but I hope they can land a manager that will be successful and last.