Billy was more determined than ever this time. Last year failure to retain the championship tittle has made him very hungry for the upcoming season. The fact that the team reached one step before playing in Europa League final for the first time in its history, showed its quality. Crucial injuries which happened in the same and some bad technical decisions for our hero took away the championship but now he has learned from his mistakes.
His first mistake was keeping a player who did not want to stay to the team. He did that with Zivkovic and the Serbian left for free in the end of season. This time it was Predrag Rajkovic who expressed his desire to leave Piraeus because Olympiakos was too small club for his ambitions. Even though he was a top class goalkeeper, Billy decided that it was best for the harmony of the team to let him go. Wolfsburg was eager to buy him so off you go. It was time for the young hope of the club Stavros Biziotas (who had already attracted the attention of some big European clubs) to come forward.
Another mistake was the capturing of Papastathopoulos. An expensive transfer that did not offer to the club what was expected even though he was one of the club's top earners . It was time to leave as well. Surprisingly Chelsea came and offered some good money for the lad. Billy did not have to think twice about it. The fact that he had already managed to extend Romagna 's loan for one more year and he had also agreed to bring young Timothy Fosu Mensah from United on a loan too, made things even easier.
His third mistake was letting his assistant coach managing the team in the friendly matches. That did not go so well because it took a lot of time for the team to find pace in the official matches due to the tactical approach of Billy's assistant in the friendly games.
So to cut a long story short let 's have a view of this year preseason.
1. Friendly Matches
The above results, helped Billy to realize three things. Firstly, young Biziotas was not ready yet to be his first goalkeeper. Secondly Pohjanpalo 's serious injury had affected him a lot and it was time to find a new partner for Vadala, since neither Munir (unsteady performance) nor Donis (Billy also extended his loan deal) or Vergos looked up for the challenge. Thirdly he need on more good ball winning midfielder in that one of Zdjelar or Fernadez got injured. So it was time to bring in some new faces.
2. Transfer Deals
Some good deals and some profit for the club, something that was necessary since we manage to pass Fifa Financial Fair Play in the last minute !
His first mistake was keeping a player who did not want to stay to the team. He did that with Zivkovic and the Serbian left for free in the end of season. This time it was Predrag Rajkovic who expressed his desire to leave Piraeus because Olympiakos was too small club for his ambitions. Even though he was a top class goalkeeper, Billy decided that it was best for the harmony of the team to let him go. Wolfsburg was eager to buy him so off you go. It was time for the young hope of the club Stavros Biziotas (who had already attracted the attention of some big European clubs) to come forward.
Another mistake was the capturing of Papastathopoulos. An expensive transfer that did not offer to the club what was expected even though he was one of the club's top earners . It was time to leave as well. Surprisingly Chelsea came and offered some good money for the lad. Billy did not have to think twice about it. The fact that he had already managed to extend Romagna 's loan for one more year and he had also agreed to bring young Timothy Fosu Mensah from United on a loan too, made things even easier.
His third mistake was letting his assistant coach managing the team in the friendly matches. That did not go so well because it took a lot of time for the team to find pace in the official matches due to the tactical approach of Billy's assistant in the friendly games.
So to cut a long story short let 's have a view of this year preseason.
1. Friendly Matches
The above results, helped Billy to realize three things. Firstly, young Biziotas was not ready yet to be his first goalkeeper. Secondly Pohjanpalo 's serious injury had affected him a lot and it was time to find a new partner for Vadala, since neither Munir (unsteady performance) nor Donis (Billy also extended his loan deal) or Vergos looked up for the challenge. Thirdly he need on more good ball winning midfielder in that one of Zdjelar or Fernadez got injured. So it was time to bring in some new faces.
2. Transfer Deals
Some good deals and some profit for the club, something that was necessary since we manage to pass Fifa Financial Fair Play in the last minute !