saintstowin

Just had my first look, maybe my only, there's not a lot of sense there. I get the anger, plus it's a football forum so you can multiply that many times over. But the delusion. Saying that our win at Coventry is likely down to similar shenanigans because Coventry had such a good home record, and then someone else posting a list of their results to back it up. It then becomes fact, for them. Strange people.

It's a good point mentioned about thinking ahead to when it happens again - and we all know it does happen and with more attention will likely come up in the future, hopefully not us doing it. Because the fact it's connected with a play off game shouldn't mean the punishment is escalated, compared to a league fixture. And the EFL should be thinking carefully about not setting a very dangerous precedent. If it was a league fixture you could argue they may award the game to the other team. But much more likely the guilty party receives a fine/points deduction, because it would be a stretch to give points to a team based on a scenario with no certain impact on the result of the game between them. Other teams could rightly be upset as they are drawn into it because another team is given free points. Far easier for future cases is just to punish the guilty. And that's when the EFL needs to think carefully. Because, one thing that definitely doesn't happen in a league scenario is the guilty being kicked out of the league, or told they can't be promoted that season. It's not proportional. And in effect that's what the outcome would be if we're not allowed to play the final or kicked out after we've won it. This is alongside all the hopefully sensible EFL thinking about what a mess it would be if we challenge a disproportionate outcome.

Hooray! And not just because we finally made it home. What a wonderful night. Too tense for words at times. When that winner went in, that's what we go to football for. A proper team effort. Some standout performances, but when the opposition are strong and it's not quite firing in attacking terms you need everyone. And we had a team out there tonight. Still don't know who was playing where at times in midfield. Not a criticism, it was clearly a plan. And it worked.

It's a tough game. When we played well on Saturday, albeit briefly, we caused them difficulties. My hope of victory is based on us having lots more moments like we did and our quality winning it for us. But I fully expect them to play well and the typical football outcome will be they'll score with far fewer chances than the first leg. But we can score more.

I can't believe we're not focusing on the worst thing about all this and that's yet another example of wrongly adding the word 'gate' to signify a scandal. Watergate was the name of a complex of buildings, and importantly an entire and single word used to signify that particular scandal. And therefore what has followed over the years is a travesty. I can't believe Saints have been drawn into this. I never thought it would happen to us. But feel free to call it spywatergate.

I think we'll just have to put up with pundits who thrive on the vibe of the game is sacred and let's hammer someone who may have ruined it. Even though it's tainted most weeks and exists on imbalance. There's so much air to fill we will hear all kinds of bizarre opinions. It's our fault we have to withstand all the rubbish, sadly. The Middlesbrough noise post match about them setting up so differently every game and therefore this affects them so deeply (because we may have seen ahead of time their latest amazing unique plan) is very odd, and I get a sense their anger isn't doing them any favours as they prepare for the 2nd leg.

I believe that was a game of 2 halves.

That's the worst half in many a month. Should be several nil. We look scared and feeble. Standing off them is presumably a tactic but if you're not engaging them at any point it becomes terrible. And nothing to take the pressure off because we've been so bad with the ball. I hope it gets better.

This is very frustrating. So stupid. And it does taint us even though everyone, including rivals, knows it has little impact on gaining an unfair advantage. Which is part of the stupidity. Not that I wanted us to cheat, but to go through all this for a rubbish few minutes of a training session. I do worry about punishment affecting the play offs but the only one I can see is being kicked out after getting to Wembley and Middlesbrough being reinstated. But that is fraught with complications including appeals and delaying the final. It is unlikely. The more likely is a fine, points deduction and a length of time being thought of us stupid. Which we are. Very.

Alongside the expected angry comments the one that says the only way to deal with this properly is to award Ipswich a penalty made me chuckle.

That was me once or twice but I realised it slowed me down, cost me loads and my employers brought in random drug testing so I knocked it on the head. Should make him easier to mark.

It's an unpredictable system again, for me. Initial queue before 1230 but kicked me out. Tried logging in, logging out etc. Then the game disappeared from the website completely. Then reappeared and allowed me in with no queue (maybe the system recognised me as in the queue from earlier) and tickets got - for home match. Good luck all.

We've regressed since the goal. All a bit rushed and no sustained pressure when we have the ball, and they've found plenty of space.

Rotation is for son in laws.

So Charles as Bree and Archer as Azaz? Maybe.

Along with the great individual goals which are the type to usually win, we've scored some great team goals where we've moved the ball all the way from the gk or defence culminating in a goal. I wish my memory wasn't completely failing me for more examples, the Larin goal v Ipswich was of that type.

I can't decide about team selection so I'm leaving it to Tonda this week. My feelings include the usual....worried about tiredness/injuries, wanting to finish 4th if we can, rather end with a win etc etc. I haven't counted but estimate we've got around 20 players who can do a very good job, maybe 16/17 of those we can totally rely on and they play regularly. Of course that includes ones we really need for the Play Offs. I would consider having a few more of the more regular starters on the bench (Bree, Scienza, Charles, THB, Azaz, Larin) for varying reasons. But I don't want to see anyone left home unless injured, or too much change that makes a result hard to achieve.

Frustrating not to be in the mix for 2nd but we all know how far we've come. Just run out of season. I thought we were a little indecisive at the back today, particularly THB wanting too long on the ball. Charles getting 90 was strange based on his effectiveness. However Ipswich were good and it was a cracking game. Some immense efforts out there, Jander stands out. Great save at the end too. Manning is odd at times but his contributions tonight led to two goals. And Larin is looking bang in form. Azaz just kept going and going. We're tired and Tonda will manage the squad for Preston and then the fun starts!

On the way home. Sick as a few parrots but what a great performance. I haven't read back to get the consensus but I thought Jander was superb. And everyone was so committed, and under that kind of pressure too, brilliant. Wood stood out too. But they were all Saints today. When we could we tried to use the ball intelligently which is so hard against them. So unlucky with their equaliser. Need to keep this team together.

From pitch body language Wood starting. He seemed to be wanting time alone to get in the zone! Or maybe just prefers his own company.

I admit I didn't have football fans concerned about the shade of their shirt and it being a bit bright on my bingo card, but we're a discerning bunch after all. 😄

Yeah I picked up on that. I really hope we go with the most obvious replacement for Manning (Welington). And please don't muck around with different formations at the back - that must be unlikely. I hope. I'd also be surprised if Wood didn't play (if Stephens is unfit which looks likely). Quarshie's pace might be tempting but he's had so few minutes. If Tonda keeps us guessing that is good news because they won't know either. If they even care!

I wonder if he'll go with a similar line up/formation to Cov away and sacrifice some width/attacking. I can see the temptation given the opposition. However we went the usual way against both Fulham and Arsenal and played really well and we're much more used to this, so I hope it's that direction he goes. Should be fun.

Didn't play well but a draw like this at any earlier stage of the season is an 'oh well not our day'. I saw tired players and unfortunately the starting team didn't set the tempo and we couldn't catch up. The slipping was ridiculous, not sure what went on there. And the passing and control of the ball was well off our high standards. But we came from behind twice. An amazing run and still unbeaten. Need to be more on it on Saturday.

Bad half but we can win. Charles having a very bad game. Looks tired. Should come off especially now booked. Need width. No urgency. I appreciate tiredness but I worry if there's a bit of an eye on Saturday too.