Ankaragucu vs Pazarspor match preview !

I have just packed my suitcase for my next visit to Ankara as i take in the Ankaragucu vs Pazarspor match. An early flight from Edinburgh to Istanbul and then onto the Capital Ankara. People ask me why ? Why would you travel all the way to Ankara to watch a third tier club ? I cant answer the question with one single answer, but the hospitality shown by Ankaragucu fans, the atmosphere at the 19 Mayis stadium and the Ankaragucu community are like a family, they are more than just a football club.

Its 1 year since i was last in Ankara, as we won 1-0 at home to Kartalspor thanks to a Timur Ozgoz goal. Hopefully we can get the 3 points again the club who equaled their 5 match winning record at the weekend will be looking to make history with 6 in a row. Ankaragucu will need to up their game after the weekends performance at Kizilcahamamspor where we were maybe fortunate to get away with the 3 points.

A later winner from Levent Kale kept Ankaragucu top of the league but Bandirma and Altinordu are both keeping up the pressure and the 3 points are important to keep the momentum with only 1 automatic place up for grabs. Although Hayati Soldas has to take some credit for the great start from Ankaragucu i cant help but pick out some areas where he needs to address.

First up is the midfield, with Mert Erdogan, Bilal Gundogdu and Veli Torun all out of the team it means Serkan Sirin has been playing in the middle with Serhat. For me Serkan does his best work when played out wide or just off the striker, he doesn't have the work rate or tactical awareness to play in the middle of the park. Selim Teber drove the team to victory at the weekend and he should be played in the middle of the park with Serhat instead of playing in the centre of defence. With Volkan Geyik and Aytac Oden both fit Hayati should play one of them with Gurkan at the back until Aydin Toscali is fit.

Hasan Ayaroglu, Emre Tasdemir and Mehmet Cakir have all picked up injuries meaning we dont have any natural wide players, hence the reason the manager has been playing Levent and Teoman in the wide areas. Both players are better through the middle and although Levent has been scoring he does his best work in the centre. Young Oguzhan Bicer has been impressing in the youth teams and should be given a chance to impress in the First Team with so many players out injured.

Pazarspor must be respected haven only lost 1 of their last 5 games. After a disastrous start the club from the city of Rize have been on a good run including a 3-2 win at the weekend against Altay. Young striker Feyyaz Aydil has scored 5 goals in 8 games and is their key player. Another big crowd is expected at the 19 Mayis for this Saturdays match. This should be to Ankaragucus advantage with the crowd cheering the team on for 3 points !

I will see you all on Friday night at Beyzade Restaurant for what will be another excellent night.