James G

But that's the thing, they can't. It's effectively a 200m fine because we are favourites to win. It would be an unprecedented move, and doesn't align with the punishment given to Leeds which sets half a precedent for one of the charges, and that was for them spying all season, so it's a more extreme version of the first charge. I think the most extreme punishment would be to retrospectively forfeit this match and award Middlesbrough a 3-0 victory before the second match. But even that is risky because we wouldn't have a window of appeal Someone mentioned another match from abroad where it was a fine and a points deduction and that's probably a marker. Again, it's not going to be enough for Middlesbrough but the EFL are between a rock and a hard place on this one

Exactly. It's what we thought. If folk, especially the Middlesbrough fans, take a step back for a second, they must question what we would really gain from spying on them in a sanctioned move at this stage of the season. There are no surprises now, All it has achieved is taint us as cheats and fired their team up to prove a point. It's put us on the back foot before the match even kicks off Other fans at other clubs just seem to find it funny. They are painting this picture of a random bloke leaving the scene with a fake tache on and a raincoat on

They're also not going to throw us out because the playoff final is worth 200m allegedly and the biggest fine ever in football is 31m for Chelsea. So, it wouldn't tally Like you said, a 3 or a 6 point deduction, we're still in the playoffs anyway I think whatever happens, Middlesbrough are going to be left hard done by. The worst thing for us is we'll carry the cheat label for a while and be the bad guys

These junior interns are usually university students who do their courses alongside doing some work for the club. These student then hope to go on and work for the club. It might be someone at a university in the north east who has tried to get some intel to look good to his peers. It's probably something daft like that.

The Saints press release says alleged offences rather than offences The wording implies they're not pleading guilty straight away anyway. The lawyers are obviously earning their money

I don't think the club would have sanctioned this. It's Middlesbrough, there are no surprises and there's nothing to see. If you are going to spy, you do it at the start of the season when you don't know anything. Even then, any intel would be very limited If the roles were reversed, I'd say the same thing. Both clubs have seen enough of each other this season. The whole situation is just comical It's probably just a rogue employee trying to further his prospects in a daft way. Just sack them and move on

He refereed the Coventry match, I think. He's done a few, and some Premier League matches, and is generally ok. I think a commentator said he's an ex player, one of the few, so he's a bit more thoughtful about decisions. We'll see though

I think this will be 2-2 Then we'll win at home

Yeah, I just looked at it by adding the 4 missed points on. I forgot about Ipswich losing points. Oh well 😃 I got there in the end. Great minds here 😉

I thought that as well, but I forgot Ipswich would have two points less.

Cheeky 😃 I just meant the recent ones

Looking at it from a practical perspective, it's too much too quickly for any team. They have done well to be where they are, disregarding the Hollywood side of things

Oh well, good victory. If we'd won all our games we still wouldn't have finished second, so all in all, what an effort to get into the playoffs

Peretz slipped. Oh well. We need to be careful with those balls over the top

Goal, 1-0.

They'll be well drilled whatever the lineup is

I hope Jelert gets a run out. It'll be interesting to see where he's at. I like his direct play, it adds something different

We're out of the running for automatics, so there's just 3 teams in contention. I think QPR could be dangerous because teams like to play the top teams and they'll be relaxed. They play a mid block in defence so they stay compact and can be hard to play through. Their forward play is quick and direct and they overload the wings, they are stronger down the right hand side, so your left side will need to be strong Based on last night, you should start Jack Clarke, utilise your left side attack, and play balls into the back of the box, you'll play between their two layers that way. I think you'll be fine, but fatigue could be an issue early on. We saw bad passes in the first half from both teams, that comes from heavy legs That's my take anyway

I think this should be full on Harlem Globetrotters mode Play like playboys, win or lose Not too much effort, come what may Scienza should go full Brazilian if on. Just show off, same for everyone else Then reset for playoffs

No, We need to rest. Go Bristol City against Preston, no pressing. We need to reset Then go again. We can beat anyone home or away First match will be full on Flynn Downes until his yellow card. We're good 👍

We know Scienza. Selfishly, I hope he stays and it puts other teams off The 3 games without a win is not a thing. Bristol, we didn't press. Man City is Man City, Ipswich we could have won with subs but I get it There is nothing to fear in the playoffs with a rested team. We should be poles apart

Genuinely, I can see him playing for the biggest teams. What a find. I hope he stays

Subs, I think Tonda is balancing expectations. Automatics were 3 per cent chance, we gave all against Man City Even Peretz looked rusty a bit tonight We've been on a run and a half. We've beaten Arsenal and deserved it. It's mind boggling really.

I think no for Man City. Bragg and Jander were the best pairing Against Ipswich, yes, but off in the second half because he would have got a yellow card For next year, he is fourth choice His upper is the Championship unfortunately as much as we like him

I think we were looking for set pieces. Scienza wasn't at the races today, we were looking for set pieces, Manning moments who wasn't leggy. Larin scored, wasn't expecting that, he is a machine and was defending again There was an element of recognition of the effort put in to the FA cup, the unlikelihood of automatics, and the need to rest up for playoffs