Euro04Kings

@J1078 I think your doubts about Bakakis are exactly why its smart to have Rota as a sub option(I gave Bakakis the start based on experience over him). I think us locking him in, instead of Albania ,may prove useful. I could see Rota playing the 2nd half (as it seems like Bakakis gets an early pull for whatever reason in Aek games )I dont see him finishing games always. (Maybe because he runs himself out....I wish I could watch more AEK games here in the States). Either way were goin to be outmatched there, I just think we have to do our best and get as much speed out there as we can. As a side note I think Manolas is on a knock (i could be wrong)....If I had to put a probability of who comes back for us based on attitude towards the coach and all, I feel like Sokratis is far more likely to make amends and get a callup. For some reason I think Manolas will stay out of the fold which sucks.....but I could be wrong because I cant read foreign reports.

@Dean97 im really glad to be here and to know this place exists! I feel like your deffinitly right about Tziolis being a huge part of our plans and a staple moving forward. I just feel like JVS wont start a 19 year old in a game like this... unless his form was way too good to deny.If anything hed shy away from tziolis just for fear of critisism after this game. For me, Tziolis deffinitly can be a part of the bench (and likely will). If our mindset changes to attacking later on...he should be subbed on like Masouras. My thinking with Lykogiannis is that he can play a similar role to Tachtsidis in that belgium game as a defensive mid. (Obviously before he took that boneheaded red that caught up to us.) The stratagy for that game was spot on I think and well be attempted again. The youngest guy on that 4-4-2 lineup I posted is 24 I beleive. I just feel theyll opt for experience (which could lead to bad selections granted). Like it wouldent suprise me one bit to see Tzavellas over Chatzidiakos or Mavrias out there. That would be a crime in my opinion but something i could unfortunately see JVS doing. I really feel they go with something close to the 4-4-2 I posted. My second lineup or your 1st (which I really liked btw except limnios)....is the most open were going to get and I dont think well see it until Georgia and Kosovo. 1 point would be a massive boost to start this thing off.

These are the two lineups I would go with. The first one (4-4-2) I think is most likely and most practical considering we are playing Spain. Its similar to how were played Belgium in our 1-1 draw. Both lineups include Sokratis who now obviously plays for Olympiacos. I'm praying he can mend things with Van 't Schip (now that he plays domestically). In fact im forcasting this. **I omitted Manolas because I dont think its likely they can mend things and hes currently on a knock (that may linger). I would be happy to swap Chatzidiakos at LB for him in both formations. I just dont see it happening. **** NOTE: (This group will know far better than me about Sokratis), because I cant read Greek reports. Im just trying to read the tea-leaves. I feel we need at least 1 of our veteran centre backs to "make up with the EPO and coach".... or were doomed in this game. Heres the 4-4-2 I prefer the most. It requires Mandalos to play a similar role as he played in our 1-1 draw with Belgium.I know Mandalos can be awkward and boneheaded but I like his experience for this game deapite possible form issues. If we employ this formation I think it gives us maximum defesive strength and balence. Included is the possible bench. Startting Line-up #1 Greece vs Spain 3/25 ---> (4-4-2) Legend. Kria= kyriakopoulos Tsmi= Tzimikas ----------- Vlachodimos------------ -Bakakis-S.PAPA-Chatzidiakos-Kyria - Mandalos-Zeca-Lykogiannis-Tsmi -----Fortunis------ Giakoumakis---- ********************************** Bench: Barkas Pelkas Masouras Mavropanos Pavlidis L. Rota Bakasetas ********************************** Possible Subsitutes: Mavropanos for Chatzidiakos Bakasetas for Tsimikas Masouras for Lykogiannis Pavlidis for Mandalos L. Rota for Bakakis Or.... Pelkas for Fortunis Obviously the game will dictate if the attacking substitute gets in. The two subs who I want to see most are Masouras and Kiriakopoulos. If they started, I wouldent be upset. I dont want to see Tzavallas as id rather have Mavropanos on the bench. I dont think Mavropanos would start however. This is obviously bacuse he hasent had a cap yet and now is not the time. Also Mavropanos hasent played enough, but he should at least get a callup. ***Mavrias is stale for me on the right and really dosent deserve a callup due to form. Sadly, I think Van Scip't calls them up anyway due to his stubnorness. **The whole thing rides on Bakakis (or Rota later in the game) getting the start over Mavrias. It also would be better in my opinion to have Chatzidiakos instead of Tzavallas at this point and time (although he could be subbed.) The speed on the outside with Tzimikas and Bakakis would give us our best chance to run (or at least try to keep up with) Spain. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the 4-2-3-1 which feels natural to me in terms of player positioning and comfort level. I could see Van't Scip't going with this against a weaker team but not Spain. I feel like fans would love to see this couter-attacking style. I feel my choices are fair (taking into account player form). This may be a little to agressive against Spain and Pavlidis and Mandalos could be switched for slight defensive stability. 4-2-3-1 Starting Lineup ----------- Vlachodimos------------ -Bakakis-S.PAPA-Chatzidiakos-Tsmi -------Zeca-------Lykogiannis------ --Pavlidis---Fortunis---Bakasettas-- --------- Giakoumakis--------- ********************************** Bench: Barkas Pelkas Masouras Mavropanos Mandalos L. Rota Bouchalakis ********************************** Possible Subsitutes: Mavropanos for Chatzidiakos Bouchalakis for Bakasetas Masouras for Lykogiannis Mandalos for Pavlidis L. Rota for Bakakis Or.... Pelkas for Fortunis ******************************** Giokoumakis is on an absolute tear in Erdevise and must play all 90 minutes, period. Also Vlachodimos must start. Barkas is far too shakey and Celtic have looked terrible conceeding (not all his fault, his defense is terrible, I know). **Id really like to see if you guys like my train of thought, please comment.