Forgive but not forget?

Forgive but not forget?

Written by George

Our Euro 2020 campaign ended with us winning 2-1 against Finland at home with a spirited second half comeback sealing the deal.

3 wins on the bounce. who'd of though that was possible when we lost the plot and had a draw with Liechtenstein. 

Van't Schip saw enough to know that the toxic environment had engulfed all and sundry and a huge kick in the arse was needed to show this team, now his team, shit like that is unacceptable.

Sokratis and Manolas were told to have a break, long term incumbents were told to go back and play regular club football, whilst inform Fetfatzidis was dropped for running late to a scheduled session. 

The line was well and truly drawn. 

We all have different opinions, but what we can all agree on is the huge 180 the team did. Young hungry players eager to show the new boss that they too deserve to be playing. 

The loss to Italy wasn't a shock but we saw enough in that game to see the team had a new outlook with all ego and bravado thrown in the bin. About time too.

3 wins on the bounce, enterprising football, players telling the media that the team is the most harmonious they've seen in a long time, friendly banter between players fighting for the same position whilst having a coach that is very stoic and unrelenting in what he wants to achieve with the team. Great... fantastic.

Where do we go from here?

We need to qualify for a major tournament and we need to do it now. Qatar 2022 is a must.

So, does time heal wounds? Can we forgive but not forget?

Not that long ago comments from former coach Anastasiadis that Sokratis & Manolas undermined him, disrespected him and would swear at him during training session. 

Is anyone surprised to hear this? 

Do we keep making excuses and skewing the truth to make it out like it was never their fault, and all along their intentions were for the good of them team?

I haven't wavered one bit from my dislike of how things eventuated with Manolas and Sokratis, but whether we think they are knobs or misunderstood, they are great players. Also, can a fit Mitroglou who we haven't adequately replaced ever find his form and fitness and the back of the net at his club? His downward spiral from being a hero at Benfica to a nothing bit part player at the three clubs afterwards has been spectacular although the countless stories of his injury mistreatment or mismanagement at Marseille won’t go away either. Anyways that’s another story.

So... Can we get back to singing their praises again? 

Or, which scares a lot of people including myself, Will bringing them back just stuff up all the good work van't Schip has done? I don't have the answer. I look back at an earlier press conference van't Schip did and when you listen to his words carefully, when talking about Manolas and Sokratis he was singing their praises just as much as saying they needed a break, yet interestingly enough the rest who weren't considered didn't get the same plaudits. 

Seeing what the coach has done in this short space of time, I have a new found trust and confidence in him, one that I didn't have when he first got the job, but maybe we were all jaded. 

Will they be back? 

Who knows.

What I do know is our opinions are irrelevant. If the court of public opinion regardless of how right or wrong it is picks the team then we has as well all give up.

The good thing is John van't Schip has set the bar high and if any player comes back into the fold they will need to buy in 100% or they can piss off back to their club, post photos of their lavish lifestyle on Instagram or look for social media love from their club fans. The common Greek doesn't care for that crap. 

I trust the boss will make the right decisions that will benefit the players and the team, the nation. 

I enjoyed the last 3 wins and I will be looking forward to seeing our Ethniki Omada play with the same passion. Its been a long time coming. 

Hellas Football.