Siopis - Signed for Panathinaikos - CONFIRMED

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

Ah, if I was aware of that, I'd certainly forgotten. That's a huge pity.

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Originally Posted by City123

Think Morrell had a pretty bad injury

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Apparently he's back in training and looking for another club
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cqlr3xy46qvo

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Originally Posted by City123

Is he one of our better midfielders?

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Deffo.

Being a current Greek international suggests that he is a decent player as well.

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Originally Posted by Bobby Dandruff

Deffo.

Being a current Greek international suggests that he is a decent player as well.

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I disagree. He's not better defensively than Chambers or Ralls, he's not as good on the ball as Turnbull and Robertson is better in practically every aspect. Add into that the more attacking players and I don't think he's particularly high on our list of midfielders

Now he has Mannsverk to contend with who's highly rated

Can't fault his effort but a limited player who probably isn't suited to the pace and physicality of the Championship. Sure he'll do well in Greece

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Originally Posted by Bobby Dandruff

Hold on: Ralls doesn’t play every game and is clearly ‘managed’ probably due to his age, Chambers has looked excellent in midfield albeit for a handful of game and we have never even seen Mannsverk play so I can’t see how you can say that.

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Chambers has played an entire season in midfield for Fulham and was player of the year there. Ralls is ahead of Sio in the pecking order and Ajax haven't sent Mannsverk here to back up anyone (he's clearly Sio's replacement isn't he!). Sio's game is not suited to here, he gets pushed around and bullied far too often due to the physical nature of the British game. I'm sure he'll do well in Greece but I don't think he'd want to be second fiddle here.

id be fascinated to know what the fee will be (assuming it goes through)

I have absolutely no idea, if you told me it was anything from a free transfer to 200k to 1 or 2 million id believe it.

Looks more as if he wants to go than being pushed.

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Originally Posted by Bobby Dandruff

And yet it seems odd to be getting rid of one of our better midfield players when Turnbull is unproven, Ramsay always injured and the new chap from Ajax also unproven. Ralls isn’t getting any younger either.

It probably suits him but I can think of a few others that I’d move on before Sio.

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I can't agree with this. Despite his energy and enthusiasm, he suffers from falling between a 6 and 8. I just can't see where he fits into a Championship midfield. He neither has the physicality or the quality in his passing to prosper. Surely Chambers performances in the same role highlight what we have been missing from Siopis over the last 18 months.

Good luck to him, he has always given 100% - but I don't believe that his qualities suit either English Championship or Premier League football.

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

Chambers has played an entire season in midfield for Fulham and was player of the year there. Ralls is ahead of Sio in the pecking order and Ajax haven't sent Mannsverk here to back up anyone (he's clearly Sio's replacement isn't he!). Sio's game is not suited to here, he gets pushed around and bullied far too often due to the physical nature of the British game. I'm sure he'll do well in Greece but I don't think he'd want to be second fiddle here.

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I also couldn't get over his lack of positional nous. For such an experienced player he gets caught out of position an awful lot.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Siopis was always the new Harry Arter.

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Charlie Oatway

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Originally Posted by City123

Is he one of our better midfielders?

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Yes. Playing below his best lately though.

The problem being there’s too many of similar ilk

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Originally Posted by AdrianAlston

I can't agree with this. Despite his energy and enthusiasm, he suffers from falling between a 6 and 8. I just can't see where he fits into a Championship midfield. He neither has the physicality or the quality in his passing to prosper. Surely Chambers performances in the same role highlight what we have been missing from Siopis over the last 18 months.

Good luck to him, he has always given 100% - but I don't believe that his qualities suit either English Championship or Premier League football.

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We’ll have to disagree then.

Chambers has been good in the handful of games that he has played in midfield but overall Sio contribution since being at the club has been greater.

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Originally Posted by City123

I disagree. He's not better defensively than Chambers or Ralls, he's not as good on the ball as Turnbull and Robertson is better in practically every aspect. Add into that the more attacking players and I don't think he's particularly high on our list of midfielders

Now he has Mannsverk to contend with who's highly rated

Can't fault his effort but a limited player who probably isn't suited to the pace and physicality of the Championship. Sure he'll do well in Greece

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‘Better on the ball than Turnbull’? who has had at best 2 or 3 half decent games for us….

Oh dear.

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Originally Posted by Bobby Dandruff

We’ll have to disagree then.

Chambers has been good in the handful of games that he has played in midfield but overall Sio contribution since being at the club has been greater.

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I think it's telling that fans are happier with Chambers in midfield after a few games than they have ever been with Siopis.

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

I think it's telling that fans are happier with Chambers in midfield after a few games than they have ever been with Siopis.

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Siopis gave 100%, worked his socks off and never shirked his defensive responsibilities.
He gave his all, or at least appeared to, but his game just wasn’t suited for the hustle and bustle of the Championship imho

Good luck to him in the next stage of his career and thanks for the effort, I doubt he would have been happy being used as second or third choice in that position.
He probably has an expectation of being involved with the Greek national team and that would be less likely to happen if he isn’t playing regularly as first choice.
From the club’s perspective if he was as claimed, one of the highest earning players, then it makes sense all round to move him on and use that money elsewhere

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Originally Posted by olderblue

Siopis gave 100%, worked his socks off and never shirked his defensive responsibilities.
He gave his all, or at least appeared to, but his game just wasn’t suited for the hustle and bustle of the Championship imho

Good luck to him in the next stage of his career and thanks for the effort, I doubt he would have been happy being used as second or third choice in that position.
He probably has an expectation of being involved with the Greek national team and that would be less likely to happen if he isn’t playing regularly as first choice.
From the club’s perspective if he was as claimed, one of the highest earning players, then it makes sense all round to move him on and use that money elsewhere

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Absolutely. Agree with all of that. Sometimes things aren't meant to be.

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Originally Posted by Bobby Dandruff

‘Better on the ball than Turnbull’? who has had at best 2 or 3 half decent games for us….

Oh dear.

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I agree with both of these statements. 123 is right; Siopis hasn't been better on the ball than any of our midfielders, except maybe Rino. I'd also agree with you that Turnbull hasn't had many decent games for us. But at least he (Turnbull) has shown us that he has the talent to, hopefully, get to another level. Siopis gives 100% and is consistent, but that consistent level is not of the standard required. That's why the Charle Oatway comparison is fair. Didn't he get that player of the year award, only to be released shortly afterwards?

As you say, we'll have to agree to disagree. And we should wish Sipois all the best, he's given his all and has been a good pro.

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Originally Posted by olderblue

Siopis gave 100%, worked his socks off and never shirked his defensive responsibilities.
He gave his all, or at least appeared to, but his game just wasn’t suited for the hustle and bustle of the Championship imho

Good luck to him in the next stage of his career and thanks for the effort, I doubt he would have been happy being used as second or third choice in that position.
He probably has an expectation of being involved with the Greek national team and that would be less likely to happen if he isn’t playing regularly as first choice.
From the club’s perspective if he was as claimed, one of the highest earning players, then it makes sense all round to move him on and use that money elsewhere

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Agreed a good player, it didn't quite work out, I wish him luck at his new club, and thanks for his efforts, and hope that the new boy is a better fit with Chambers and Robertson.

Personally I would have kept him until the summer. A great option off the bench when needs it a bit of energy.

Sios enthusiasm and energy is his biggest strength and his biggest weakness. He chases everything but leaves huge gaps defensively, that’s why it’s worked better alongside Chambers who holds and allows Sio to press. He’s also not physical enough to play as the sole defensive midfielder in our system.

However if you have Chambers and Sio together then you need Sio to offer a little more on the ball and offer the potential for assists/goals.

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Originally Posted by 2b2bdoo

Personally I would have kept him until the summer. A great option off the bench when needs it a bit of energy.

Sios enthusiasm and energy is his biggest strength and his biggest weakness. He chases everything but leaves huge gaps defensively, that’s why it’s worked better alongside Chambers who holds and allows Sio to press. He’s also not physical enough to play as the sole defensive midfielder in our system.

However if you have Chambers and Sio together then you need Sio to offer a little more on the ball and offer the potential for assists/goals.

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Whenever he got stuck he used to chase it and bring it back

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Originally Posted by 2b2bdoo

Personally I would have kept him until the summer. A great option off the bench when needs it a bit of energy.

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The reports state he wanted to go back home

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

The reports state he wanted to go back home

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Yeah that’s fair enough.

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Originally Posted by 2b2bdoo

Personally I would have kept him until the summer. A great option off the bench when needs it a bit of energy.

Sios enthusiasm and energy is his biggest strength and his biggest weakness. He chases everything but leaves huge gaps defensively, that’s why it’s worked better alongside Chambers who holds and allows Sio to press. He’s also not physical enough to play as the sole defensive midfielder in our system.

However if you have Chambers and Sio together then you need Sio to offer a little more on the ball and offer the potential for assists/goals.

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Agreed.

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Originally Posted by AdrianAlston

I agree with both of these statements. 123 is right; Siopis hasn't been better on the ball than any of our midfielders, except maybe Rino. I'd also agree with you that Turnbull hasn't had many decent games for us. But at least he (Turnbull) has shown us that he has the talent to, hopefully, get to another level. Siopis gives 100% and is consistent, but that consistent level is not of the standard required. That's why the Charle Oatway comparison is fair. Didn't he get that player of the year award, only to be released shortly afterwards?

As you say, we'll have to agree to disagree. And we should wish Sipois all the best, he's given his all and has been a good pro.

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Has Sio ever done time though? :wink:

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

Whenever he got stuck he used to chase it and bring it back

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I meant to type 'stick'!

Club confirms deal has gone through for an ‘undisclosed “ fee.

https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news...-panathinaikos

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gin6kIMW...jpg&name=large

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GingaCcX...g&name=900x900

Joining up with his mate Bakasetas

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Originally Posted by Pedro de la Rosa

The reports state he wanted to go back home

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Yes thats far enough, I wonder if he asked early thats why the new boy, or we signed the new boy, and he saw him and Chambers and said sod that i'm not bench warming when there are other options in Greece?

Either way it doesent matter all parties are happy and hopefully we are a bit better off.

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Originally Posted by Michael Morris

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GingaCcX...g&name=900x900

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Thank you Siopis, good luck with the New Club :thumbup: