Nations League 20/21

[Jsoul]

I think Fortounis will be a starter for JVS, and I think he has the ability to thrive under this coach and his style of play. If Fourtonis starts then I don't want to see Mantalos or Bakasetas on the wings As we have better options like Liminos, Pavlidis , Masouras. We need more guys to be able to finish as i think we will create a lot of chances. Also I would not start Staf as we have better options and he's had little to no playing time.

[Don Giovanni]

For the sake of continuity, the coach is a bit boxed in when it comes to Stafylidis because he was made captain. We could see Siovas start perhaps alongside a fresh face, but Stafylidis is likelier to start I think.

Bakasetas and Mantalos are likelier to start too. They did really well in the last couple of matches for Greece. I'm sure Fortounis and probably Masouras will see game time one way or another, but I think both still need to work their way into the eleven. No question Fortounis is the most talented player in all of Greece at the moment, but the work rate and physique leave a lot to be desired. As talented as he is, he's no Tsartas and for a country like Greece it's difficult to afford a player who plays a free role, something that we true even when we had Tsartas. Regardless, we need an X-factor, someone who can pull the odd rabbit out of the hat, a special player to make the difference on their own.

Mantalos has set the bar the highest and I hope other players follow his example. He was amazing against Finland. Van't Schip needs to push our players physically above and beyond for Greece to be successful and competitive enough for the highest levels. Our players need to work harder than the opponent to win.

[Dean97]

I think Fortounis will he brought in from the bench. This Greece team now has a more aggressive style and everyone has to work. Fortounis isn’t that type of player but will add more spark to our attack as we have been playing good football.

As I said hopefully Stafylidis doesn’t start. He can boost the team from the sideline and be used as a sub if need be. But we can’t depend on him defensively. He isn’t the most solid defender. There’s no way he should play ahead of Tsimikas and Giannoulis. Giannoulis could be heading to the EPL.

I think Tzolis has to play at some point. He destroyed Besiktas. He’s showing that he can handle the big games so far. He’s seems very tough mentally and looks like one for the future. Time will tell but I thought it was a great idea by Van’t Schip to select him.

Btw does anyone know how many subs are allowed in the nations league?

[Don Giovanni]

They didn't specify any rule changes. I think it might just be three subs.

[Don Giovanni]

Ilicic, arguably Slovenia's best player, will not be representing his country Thursday. Notably, he didn't play for Atalanta in their historic match against PSG. Tabloid reports said his wife had cheated on him, but he denied this. The fact he's still not playing, not even for his country, makes me thinks he might be retiring and that he might have some sort of physical problem that prevents him from playing.

It's a boost for us. This means Muriqi and Ilicic, two of the best players for Kosovo and Slovenia respectively, will not be playing against us.

[Jsoul]

This might sound stupid but i kind of wish both players were playing as i want to see how our team plays with the other teams best players. I think it would prepare us better for the world cup qualifications which will be difficult task.

[Dean97]

I was kind of hoping for that too Jsoul. But now coming to think of it we need to top the group and get the most amount of points possible. Reason being is that you never know what could happen when Greece plays.

Also I spoke to a friend of mine and he said to me why did Greece leave out all there good players. He was talking about Manolas, Sokratis and so on. I told him we are going through a rebuild phase and that players are picked through form. He said that Retsos, Donis and Vlachodimos should’ve been called up. I agree when they are inform they should be in the team. Having a player like Svarnas over Manolas is preposterous, but there’s long term vision and rules in place now. No one is above the team and you must follow the rules.

All I know is that we need to top this group. Anything less would be a disappointment.

[tantra]

anybody knows what channel this will be playing in greece?

[Don Giovanni]

tantra
Cosmote Sport 1 and Open TV

[Jsoul]

UefaTV is playing the games for as well you just need to create a long and password and you should be able to watch the games.

[Don Giovanni]

Holland have a caretaker coach at the moment since Koeman left for Barcelona. It's been rumored Arsene Wenger offered his services. Does anyone think van't Schip might end up with the job? I don't think it's far-fetched.

[Kojak]

Also I spoke to a friend of mine and he said to me why did Greece leave out all there good players. He was talking about Manolas, Sokratis and so on. I told him we are going through a rebuild phase and that players are picked through form. He said that Retsos, Donis and Vlachodimos should’ve been called up. I agree when they are inform they should be in the team. Having a player like Svarnas over Manolas is preposterous, but there’s long term vision and rules in place now. No one is above the team and you must follow the rules.

All I know is that we need to top this group. Anything less would be a disappointment.

The problem with managers saying they are picking based on form is, how do you measure it? is it form players from certain teams, divisions, countries only? That's when the picked on "form" argument loses its merit. For example being in form in greece only applies if you play for Oly, Paok, Aek (and maybe PAO though not as much in its current state). If you are in form at Volos, Lamia or Asteras that means absolutely nothing.

[LoneHorseman]

^^^^
You are correct with your description on form . A good example is Fetfa, plays with Aris, in form most of the year, especially since January, not included. On the other hand, Limnios, up and down year, very good beginning, but dropped off, ironically enough around January. Him and Biseswar really trailed off and you saw PAOK struggle in the second half of the year. Note to Fetfa, don't show up late for team meetings, some coaches hold grudges and in their mind for the sake of team unity, they'll sacrifice talent, ie Fetfa and Manolas, for team cohesion, ie, Stefalidis

[Dean97]

I hope we see something like this....

Barkas

Bakakis Lampropoulos Siovas Tsimikas

Kourbelis Zeca

Limnios Mantalos Tzolis

Pavlidis


I picked Bakakis because I haven’t seen Rota play. I don’t think Bakakis is good enough. Lampropoulos has to start with the options we have. Siovas too. I hope Mantalos starts at CAM but I don’t think it will happen. I think Tzolis should start, as I think he can do the job and score a goal. I would take a chance and start him. But I think Masouras will start instead.

[Dean97]

If I could be a bit critical for a second, I think Van’t Schip wasted some call ups. For example he called up 4 LBs when you only need 2. He called up 3 Gks when he knows he’s going to use 1 or 2 max. The third is just there in case a catastrophe happens like both keepers getting injured which rarely happens. So he could’ve saved a spot for an extra CM and another winger.

I would’ve done it like this..

2 keepers
4 fullbacks (2RBs and 2LBs)
4 CBs
2 CDMs
2 CMs
2 CAMs
4 wingers
3 STs

In my opinion that’s a really balanced team. If you are a bit unsure with the keepers maybe bring an extra 1 and leave out 1 of the strikers. If your willing to take a chance then the above should be the way to go.

[Amorgos]

Looking forward to this although I have a feeling we are going to get off to a slow start.

Ive had massive debates about Fetfa on this and I think 100% he should have been selected, most in form Greek player.

Anyway, CB is now a worry for me... keen to see who he starts, Stafylidis is getting a real long straw here If he gets a start