Message to the Ethniki Omada coaching team – There Is Three Missing Elements

Message to the Ethniki Omada coaching team – There Is Three Missing Elements

By Michael Vissini,

Look, I know it was a friendly match-up and lost 2-1 against Austria, who obviously have better quality than Greece right now. Just a reminder, I am in no way calling for John Van't Schip and his coaching team to be relieved from their duties but rather sending a message on some subjects surrounding the Ethniki Omada that should be addressed. I respect their jobs, but there are three missing elements that are currently lacking

Of course, even though they have social media accounts, I know they won’t read my message, as they are doing their jobs and currently on their way back to Athens. Maybe they will read it on the plane, who knows.

My quick thoughts on the game - lackluster. 

Again, I absolutely understand it was a friendly and this was a great opportunity for Van't Schip to test new faces and start an experimental side, but I was not impressed with the performance.

What particularly concerned me is Van't Schip's comments in the post-match press conference. There wasn’t much to say, but the first question caught my attention, regarding the decision to start three centre-backs (one at right-back) and if their fatigueness led Austria to score 2 goals

Firstly, he is looking for solutions to restructure the backline in case of future injuries. For example with Bakakis, who missed the friendly with an ongoing knock and will be returning to action for the Nations League games against Moldova and Kosovo. So, the decision was to test Lampropoulos at right-back with a below average shift, but we have Lazaros Rota who is the backup option. This friendly was the best opportunity for the Fortuna Sittard right-back to test his strengths and determine if he is ready to play at international level. I was baffled that he missed out. 

Secondly on Hatzidiakos, apparently, he is not match fit, so why is he called up then? Since the start of the 2020/21 season, the rising centre-back has started in the first 3 rounds for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, averaging 72 minutes.

Is there something missing, or am I overreacting?

Also, regarding the exclusion of Siovas, and Van’t Schip made it clear in the pre-match press conference that any player who judges the selections is out of the Ethniki set up. I absolutely agree, BUT! As Ethniki fans, we clearly have not heard from Van’t Schip his reasons why Sokratis and Manolas are excluded and left us all assume that their availability is open. There is a rumour that both of our best centre-backs showed up late to training when he first took charge. 

Another player is Fetfatzidis, rumoured to have chucked a tantrum in the last two EURO 2020 qualifying games against Armenia and Finland, who was upset that he did not play in both games and led to an exchange with Van’t Schip.

Hear me out, I am all for exclusions as long as there is a coherent reason provided. To my understanding, Van’t Schip is yet to comment on the exclusions of Sokratis, Manolas and Fetfaztidis and is mainly focused on recruiting new blood into the Ethniki.

 

Lastly, the fiasco created by Siovas that triggered a huge reaction from the Greek football world due to his post-match comments on live television after the 2-1 away win over Kosovo, stating experienced players should return, Manolas is the best player and that he should be paired with Svarnas. I somewhat agree with his comments, then again he is not the one who makes the decisions and Van’t Schip rightfully shut the door on the Huesca centre-back. However, the way SIovas was excluded was addressed on live television when Van’t Schip appeared on OPEN TV when one of the hosts asked the questions regarding Siovas’s comments. 

Listen, we experienced bad times under Skibbe and Anastasiadis, can we not revert the Ethniki into a reality show again?

This is not Brusco or Agries Melisses. This is the Ethniki Omada! Siovas and Van’t Schip are at fault for dragging this publicly. At least that is over now, but that does not mean we cannot go back and look at the issue again.

 

So, you are now curious to know, what are the three missing elements?

Clarity – Specifically on team selections

Consistency – Addressing exclusions

Seclusion – Issues with players away from the public

After all, letters, words and actions do matter at the end of the day. Do not let your ego overtake your job. Remember my first message, I will not accept any excuses for not earning a spot for Qatar 2022. 8 years of agony for Greek Football fans is long enough.

Now, bring on the Nations League!"

Hellas Football

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