Quote:
Originally Posted by frankcastle  Hello JCtips - I always appreciate a conflicting opininion.
If you watch any of the Aris games, you'll see that they have good ball movement and very good player technique. However, they lack firepower upfront and their defense is not the most airtight in the world, but I was impressed by their coverage tonight. The goal that Braga scored was not due to their overpowering game.
When I say Aris has a very good team this year I merely mean that in the Greek league they are much better than they have been in years and with Ronaldinho's brother being one of the major shareholders, there is definitely an open pipeline of players from S. America. Their games in places like Reebok Stadium (where they were equalized in the 93rd minute) and their performance in Zaragosa cannot be overlooked. Both teams mentioned are not doormats and I'm sure positive results there must stand for something and surely must mean that they are not only good at home because of their crowd.
I don't know how far Aris will go in the Uefa cup, they may be ousted next round...but I do know that their coach (Bagevic) has asked for an attacker over the winter signing period and I'm sure with the results they've been getting, if they do go through (which is still far from certain after tonight's draw) they have the money to sign a decent forward.
The new team owner has managed to save Aris from financial dire straits and is quite well-off himself; meaning that if all goes well, Aris will sign at least a couple of good players soon. (Rumor has it they might get Giannakopoulos of Bolton and certainly a good player up front).
So in making a sweaping statement like "they suck", I usually like to hear some arguments to back it up. Sure, I agree they're not Real Madrid all of a sudden. However, a team that in the past few years was the doormat in Greece and now can beat Zaragosa and look Bolton in the eyes certainly deserves a second look.
Also, JCtips, congrats on your midweek record. Pretty good, especially yesterday when most people were lured into betting on Overs. |
Frankcastle,
I would say that I always appreciate a different opinion.
It makes me think and look at things from a different angle/perspective, so it helps me improve my thinking process.
When I say Aris sucks, it is based on what I saw tonight and also on knowing some of team's best (?) players.
Tonight's game with a great athmosphere and also great pressure (not easy to play in Greece we all know that) on the away team and the ref.
Mainly in the 1st half the only Aris danger was coming from free kicks (IMHO they were milking it all the time trying to get the fouls...and actually saw two yellow cards because of that...) or corners. And that's how they scored the equalizer.
They had one good scoring chance at the end of the 1st half but that was it.
Again, IMHO Braga controlled the pace of the game in midfield and Aris looked like a mediocre side to me.
Players:
Brazilian Centre Back Ronaldo scored their equalizer tonight.
He played for Benfica a few seasons ago and was dropped because he was just an average defender.
Ronald Garcia who plays miedfield, played a few seasons in Portugal on loan from Benfica to other clubs.
He failed to impress even at those lowly clubs and never got a chance at Benfica who ended up dropping him without ever really playing for Benfica.
Forward Koke, from what I read and hear, he's considered Aris' star player (at least for the fans) which, I admit, makes me laugh...he played on loan at Sporting for one season a couople of years ago and he was a complete joke...
Quality players are needed for you to have a quality team no matter how good a coach is.
Maybe if they can sign Giannakopoulos or another striker like you said they can improve but IMHO they still have a long way to go in order to be a quality team.
This is just the way I see it, nothing else.
Last but not least, congratulations on your Panionios pick&win tonight
!
I was tempted to take it yesterday but decided to stay away (shame on me...).
JC