PAOK head coach Giorgos Georgiadis spoke to journalists on Media Day held at Nea Mesimvria. Here is what he said:

When asked if he is satisfied with his players’ efforts lately:

«My concern is to see if they are focused and willing to work hard in training. In that aspect, I am satisfied. They are eager to run and find out what we are after. In the encounter against SKODA Xanthi, they brought on the pitch several of the stuff we worked on. Of course, those who had been on international duty were not in the same level as the others in physical condition- and identity-wise. But that is normal».

How he wants PAOK to play:

«Taking into account the fans as well, I believe that PAOK should be pressuring up the pitch, “suffocate” their rivals, break into fast counterattacks and have ball possession. We are not there yet. That is the ideal. My concern right now is for PAOK to win their games».

Regarding PAOK’s defensive function:

«We have analyzed the 40 goals conceded, a negative record for us. This number is not normal, taking into account the caliber, quality and name of the players featuring in our defence. We have conceded 16 goals in transition to defence and 8 from blind balls in our defence –such was the second goal of Panthrakikos. In the last three games, we haven’t been on the receiving end of counterattacks, despite suffering one heavy defeat. Players are aware of that, Against Xanthi, until minute 70 we managed to work well, with our lines close».

Whether a solid defence can make the difference in Greece:

«Attacking players such as Vieirinha at PAOK and Kevin Mirallas at Olympiacos make all the difference in Greece. Having players that can unlock tight defences is the key. As I’ve said before, if a big team take the lead in a game, they usually win”.

Which of his three spells at PAOK is the toughest:

«Last season it was very hard. Lots of different characters to negotiate, there was also the World Cup ahead and the players’ mind was undoubtedly drifting towards it. We also had lots of players on loan, who knew they would leave in the summer –it was tough convincing them to play. We have no such problems this season, as most of the players will be with us after the summer as well. It’s easier to convince them that, if they do things right, they will be competing in the UEFA Champions League. Last season however we had more individual quality. However, character-wise, things are better this season».

Regarding Noboa’s doubtful participation in the play-offs due to the Copa América:

«It’s a tough situation. We need to solve this. If we can’t have Noboa, we won’t be able to have Tziolis either, as he cannot negotiate back to back matches from Sunday to Wednesday».

Regarding the support from Ivan Savvidis:

«I am honoured to be supported by the President. I know he trusts in me and that only accentuates my responsibility towards him and the team. Hopefully I will repay him».

His opinion about the fans’ disapproving stance towards Tzavellas:

«That happens at PAOK. You remember what Athanasiadis was going through two years ago, what Salpingidis is going through now or Kace. We have to endure it and do our best, in order to bring more approving fans to the stadium. Hopefully, those who now disapprove for reasons unknown to me, they will also switch their stance».

Whether a title could bring serenity in the club:

«A title could undoubtedly help. Our fans however wish to see the team play attractive football, regardless of titles».

About his own ambitions in his third spell as head coach of PAOK:

«There is no point in discussing this now. However every experience has a maturing effect. I know PAOK very well. Even when I was away, I would attend their matches every Sunday, I took an interest, I would read about the team and watch them play. Coaching experience certainly does count. I remember committing several errors on my first spell. This season I feel I am in a good level».

Regarding his team’s scope of improvement:

«I expect improvement in several aspects. No miracles can be performed, but improvement is certainly feasible. It’s mid-April by now and all teams have been working hard for seven months».

Whether Super League sides are tougher this season:

«Asteras Tripolis is stronger. They also gained UEFA Europa League experience. Playing against tough European sides boosted their self-confidence. But they also had a dip in their performance. As was the case with us last season, they have played more matches than anyone since the summer. When a team reaches the play-offs having more than 60 matches at their feet, it’s negative. Whether a team can keep their performance at a high level throughout the season, I cannot tell. I was not here since the start. Now we must improve».

Regarding the drop in PAOK’s performance after Xanthi reduced distances in the last match:

«When we were 2-0 up, we wasted chances for a third goal. Following Xanthi’s goal, we lost ground on the pitch and didn’t work as hard as in the first 60-65 minutes. It all starts with the negative results. Players came close to winning, it was obvious, but then they became worried. I already told you that PAOK should have a different mentality. However now it’s the time to focus on results alone. Even when losing metres, if the opponent can’t produce goalscoring chances and we manage to keep the ball more than we did in the last match, there shouldn’t be any problems».

What he meant when referring to an unbalanced roster:

«We have many defenders and central forwards. We lack central midfielders and wingers. But you are aware of that, it is no secret».

Whether good relations in the locker rooms are helpful to a coach:

«I don’t believe in what we refer to as ‘family atmosphere’ here in Greece. Only here do I hear of this, unless you can argue that they have a ‘family atmosphere’ at Real Madrid. I believe in the players’ sense of professionalism and their hard work. In victories the atmosphere is good, when a team loses all hell breaks loose. Our locker rooms are balanced this season character-wise. They have good relations, but it’s most important to have them collaborate on the pitch».

Regarding the reports handed to him by the players:

«I will not reveal their contents –they are for my eyes only. But there were 5-6 aspects that help me see the situation clearly, as players do».

What he feels when he reads that referees are accused of scandals:

«We all know more or less what is happening in Greek football. There is no secret regarding the quality of each person. I listen to coaches saying that they don’t wish to comment on refereeing. But their work depends on them. Some teams get help, and the players and coaches look good. Details make the difference and we have witnessed too much in Greece. In the last play-offs, we were on the receiving end of very bad refereeing. Let me remind you of Asteras’ first goal at Toumba, following a foul committed on Skondras. Or awarding Atromitos with a penalty in stoppage time. I hope they will do their work better this time round».

Whether the club are preparing for the new season and if he has been taking part in the procedure:

«The plans should already be in place regardless what happens this summer. I believe that some moves have already been done. I agree that we should be more intense in our organization for next season. There is no technical director yet and that is a void».

What he thinks of PAOK’s stance towards refereeing and if such talk affects the team:

«PAOK are not that into the refereeing talk. Under my predecessor, they tried to handle the situation as best as they could, even if it became tense at some point. Even this season, please tell me how the standings would look with a 50-50 refereeing. Perhaps PAOK would have 7-8 points more and some teams would have 7-8 points less. We tend to forget easily in Greece. Sometimes defeats occur when the referee wishes to cause problems, sometimes a bad performance is to blame. But we fail to see what transpired in the meantime».

Whether Ivan Savvidis’ speech in the dressing rooms means that a first-place finish in the play-offs will trigger big changes in the team:

«I believe that the President wants to change things, regardless of the play-offs outcome».

Whether he believes that settling the club’s debts will also mean a change of leaf for the team:

«That doesn’t’ affect the players and the technical stuff. But I know that it’s a huge deal for our President and his plans for his Greek business. It’s an issue that would stop him or lead him forward».