GIORGOS KATSIKAS INTERVIEW

The PAOK defender Giorgos Katsikas talked to the Super League website about the new era in the administration of the club: "PAOK is a club that with the new owner has all the potential so as to become a protagonist in the years to come"; he also talked about the potential participation of the club in the Champions League next year: "This is a feasible goal provided we are consistent and stable," and also commented on PAOK's away matches by saying that: "away matches are hardest and we need to amass more points." The full interview:

 

Question by Hristos Ermidis

In your opinion, how can PAOK win a title given the good plan set by Mr Donis and the new era of the presidency of Mr Savvidis?

I believe that we should be realists in football. We are a new team, with a new playing philosophy and lots of young players. I believe that we have made progress, but it is still too early to be talking about winning the championship this year. We definitely try to win every match we play and we will see where we are at the end of the season. The Cup that starts is also among our goals. However, PAOK is a club that with the new owner has all the potential so as to become a protagonist in the years to come.

 

Question by Antonis Kontodinas

Do you believe that the 2nd place and the participation in the Champions League through the play-off round is a feasible goal?

It is a feasible goal provided we are consistent and stable. It is not a given, as many erroneously believe, because you can only achieve something when you are serious and stable and you are trying all the time, you are working and you are lucky. But we surely are on the way to make it.

 

Question by Thanos Batzios

Given the completion of the first round of the championship, do you think that your points and playing image fit to the targets you set in the beginning of the season?

We are more or less consistent to what we had discussed as a team and with our coach. We could have had some extra points, mostly from away matches, but our general philosophy when entering the pitch, regardless of whether we achieve a positive result, remains the same as the one set from the beginning. We will have better days as we mature on a football level and the team is bonding.

 

Question by Panos L.

Do you agree that the best investment the club can do is to set the foundations for a better performance next season? Do you see any actions in this direction?

Time is the best ally in a new squad. If we continue on the same plan, we will surely get better as time passes and new players come into the club.

 

Question by Hristos Hrisovergis

Do you think you form a good team with Khumalo and Vivian in the centre of defence or do you need to try harder?

I have not played very much with Vivian for various reasons. I played most games with Khumalo and I believe that we both try to learn each other's weak points and to help each other. Time is the best ally in this case as well.

 

Question by Stefanos Grigoriadis

If they proposed to you to be captain of the team next season, would you accept this role?

PAOK has great captains, respected by all for their personality and their merit. Of course, you cannot deny when you receive such a prestigious proposal by such a major club as PAOK. But I have never thought about this.

 

You have five wins and one draw in home matches and two wins, three draws and two defeats in away matches. Do you believe you lose enough of your strength when playing away from Toumba?

This is a very particular championship in general. We lost points in away matches that we should have taken given our performance, as in Crete for example; but we were not that good in other games, as in Corfu or Veria and in the Olympic Stadium. Away matches are definitely hardest and we need to amass more points.

 

Question by Konstantinos Papadopoulos

What is your best moment with PAOK?

The goals against Aris and Rapid. These were really strong moments.

 

Question by Konstantinos Ignatiadis

Which football player is your icon?

I have no icons in the terms that I want to be like someone because I believe that each person and therefore each footballer is unique. I admire many players for their qualities and their football careers.

 

Question by Panagiota Exarhou

What are your hobbies?

I go out with friends for a coffee or to the movies. I like to do quiet and relaxing things since I am dedicated to my profession.