2016/17 UEFA Champions League Qualifiers

They pulled off a massive scalp in putting Olympiacos out the CL, for them to pull off two massive scalps in two rounds in a row being us you would have to say the odds on them doing that would be pretty high.

Which is why I'm confident we'll do it.

 

Exactly. Olympiacos was obviously huge. But we'll wallop em. * all this pessimism. We're back. Mark my words.

 

Misusing resources is still having them in the first place. Legia I never saw as I said before but Malmo I still stand by my thoughts that we were prepared enough to get to the CL and team let the club and Ronny down in the second leg. A club with the budget we have and the pedigree of success we've had in the past should not get embarrassed like we did against those teams. Maribor was one of the lamest performances I've seen us play and Malmo we completely shat ourselves, should've been 5-0 if not for the much-maligned Craig Gordon's heroics.

 

It's a tough draw purely down to location and nature of the fans looks like a intimidating atmosphere over there, if we scrape the first leg then we need to have serious bottle in the away leg.

 

If we can play like we did against Malmo in the first half of the first leg and keep it together then I think we'll beat Beer Sheva. I blame Ronny for our collapse and I think Brendan would change things up if he seen that happening plus I think he's a better motivator.

It will still be a tough tie, Beer Sheva will be high on confidence and they know if they park the bus they can take a draw home with them. We have to blast them off the park like we did Malmo and keep our heads together.

I'm confident but not overly, anything can happen at this level but we should be favourites.

 

Nervous man, mainly cos were home the first leg
We need to put the game beyond doubt there. Will have to be 3-0 up before I feel confident going to Israel

 

Meant to post this yesterday. Yeah you were pretty much spot on with your prediction

 

Nah i really dont, would be a stupid thing to do in Israel. Probably as dumb as the "* Uefa" banner. Just want us to go and get a job done, no drama.

 

A clean sheet at home could be key and i think we can do that, especially with Toures experience now there.
I think finally playing an away game on a grass pitch will be huge for us.

 

Like your optimism but i dont think we will wallop them. Fancy us to go through but Astana was hardly a walk in the park.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVhEUoOGNhU

Full replay of their away leg at Olympiakos.

Get your analyst hats on

 

First impressions after watching the opening '20 (Olympiakos at 65% possession)...

The striking thing is Hapoel press really high up the park, with a front three, well supported by the midfield. This is on the road and from the opening whistle. At times, 5 and 6 creeping up into opposition half.

I'm a long-time critic of Scott Brown, but have to be concerned about him under this pressure.

Relieved to have Sinclair in for this one, he could really make an impact.

Couple of meaty challenges flying in in midfield. Could we ever use Roberts.

For all their possession, Olympiakos having trouble getting out of their own half. Quick throws from goalie. Hopefully we don't resort to a side passing clinic. Only a couple of forays into the final third (one over the top on the right side). Despite Hapoel's high pressing, always 3 or 4 sitting deep at the back.

Haven't seen much from them offensively. One well-played, defense splitting through ball from midfield which the left back or winger got on the end of before being crowded out.

As has been said, they'll be difficult to break down. Afraid we could be in for a real nervy grind (when are we not).

 

Astana were pressing high and defending in numbers at Parkhead and we struggled to break through so hopefully lessons will have been learned and we can get past the Israelis and into the group stages.

 

Olympiakos making it easy for Hapoel if you ask me. Slow tempo, players not showing for passes and no urgency to get forward and make runs. I dont think there is anything impressive about Hapoels pressing. They do look like they get behind the ball well but this looks like a very disjointed and disinterested Olympiakos side.

 

Really hope the GB isn't going to make a big issue with Palestinian flags etc. Could get us into trouble with UEFA so unnecessarily

 

* Uefa

 

Yeah as if we need them right? Better really * them off

 

who gives a * what other folk think.

 

I do if those folk can severely punish us