Vokolos to bwinSPORT FM 94.6: “Lamia started well, but it doesn’t mean anything”

Absolutely pleased with this year’s performance of Lamia, said Mr Leonidas Vokolosspeaking to News Bulletin 247.

The coach of Fthiotes referred to the way yesterday’s (Saturday 4/11) defeat by Panathinaikos came about, stressing that his team looks every opponent in the eye.

He also spoke about the upcoming game against AEK and the goals his team has set.

In detail, what he said to Sotiris Tabakos and on the show “Attack from the…backs” on News Bulletin 247:

For the game against Panathinaikos: “When you’ve put in a lot of effort, but in the end you don’t get anything and you deserve it, you’re a little upset. Football is like that. We have to continue, looking every opponent in the eye.”

For this year’s effort of Lamia: “It is the total work of those close to the team. Since last year when I joined the team we started to build some things. Last year there was the pressure of the result. After we managed to stay in the division we prepared the team in the summer. Certainly, remarkable moves were made, but also from the collaborations that exist in all parts of the team, we all together set the goal that this year will not be like last year. May the team be calm this year in terms of scores and whatever else we manage to get. So far we’ve made a good start, but it doesn’t mean anything. We are at a good level but a lot of work is needed because the road is long and uphill.”

For the play style: “It is a team that is built to have some basic characteristics that do not change against any opponent. There are certainly adjustments. We try to look as competitive as possible in every game, without changing the basic principles of the model we decided to follow in the summer.”

For where the game against Panathinaikos was decided: “In the second goal phase, it was a very unfortunate moment. The player had requested a change and at that moment Panathinaikos played very quickly from that side. We were unlucky, we could have scored a goal. The game would change completely. Panathinaikos was luckier, they managed to score the goal in the details and things became more difficult for us in the last minutes”.

For Panathinaikos: “When we talk about big teams, we talk about big budgets and footballers who are capable. There is the depth on the bench, there is the quality to take advantage of every phase. I want to say that I am pleased with our players, they showed how competitive they are and that they look all opponents in the eye.”

For the upcoming game with AEK: “We won’t change anything in the way we think about games. We will read AEK and line up as competitively as possible. They are a great team, we play at home, the difficulties are many. We have faith in our team and our players.”

As to whether Lamia could do something more this year: “It is too early. I will be able to say that towards the end of the championship. We have made a good start, but the minds must be in our heads. Let’s have the bar where it should be. We talk to the children every day, we have to work a lot. The easy thing is to get somewhere, the hard thing is to maintain. To survive, you have to work harder.”

For the great battle at the top: “All teams are strong. It is a joy for Greek football that it is not one or two teams. Important for all teams to have hopes and fight. The quality of the big teams is a given. There are other teams that have raised the bar. Everyone’s wish is to see a championship that will attract even more people to the stadium. This is what we are missing, this is what we must all fight for. Let as many people as possible come to the stadium.”

For the fans who stand by Lamia: “The people of Lamia are touching, they are by our side in the easy and the difficult. I want to thank them once again for being our twelfth player and an important factor in our progress.”