Oisin

No - Jack is not restricted or defined by a mere 2 positions.

But everyone still has a horrific accent that makes me want to rip my ears off

I’m likening this to when they finally brought out a law against driving while using your phone as opposed to that being covered by “driving without due care” etc. Only imagine they didn’t stipulate it’d be 6 points and left it for the first prosecution only for that person to find out the punishment is the same as death by dangerous driving and prison time. Is it wrong to do it? Yes. Did we do it? Quite possibly. Is it worth expulsion, the most severe punishment available in football? Really?? Of course it isn’t. It just isn’t on my level a proportionate penalty.

Surely the only way in which the final still goes ahead without us is if the punishment were to award Boro victory in the first game. Aside from whether it’s proportionate or not, a Points deduction this season doesn’t work as all finishing positions would be wrong; expulsion from an entire competition does the same and would surely mean we’d be relegated? The claims it’d raise for Oxford and Wrexham in particular would need hearing. Points for next season is viable. Awarding Boro the first tie is viable but could you reallly have Boro in a final after they actually lost? And couldn’t we (and indeed broadcasters) claim losses on EFL for hosting a meaningless game? And is there any sort of precedent for going to that level of punishment? Paradoxically, if we are shown to be serial offenders it actually weakens Boros case for replacing us in the final as all other clubs would have been impacted so it’d have to be a points deduction, otherwise Boro are the only wronged party to get any recompense. I still think fine, future or suspended points deduction and sanctions on specific individuals (all if proven of course) is the most likely outcome from this.

My hunch is we’re playing for the full 14 days (as is our right) and EFL want to expedite (of course they do, it’s urgent) so they’re trying to force the issue by pretending they can simply delay things if we behave unhelpfully. which is fine, only all the pressure is on the EFL here and it’s all of their own doing for not having a proper punishment agreed for the alleged offence Theres a World Cup soon and “the richest game in football” to organise. They don’t have the time. I sympathise with our (and especially in the circumstances) Hulls fans as it’s a sh1t show, but it’s the EFLs fault. And quite frankly if we’re not getting thrown out anyway (which let’s be honest would be a grossly OTT sanction that has no precedent and would cost them millions in litigation which they’d clearly lose) then they may as well declare it now rather than try to look serious and tough for the press to cover the fact their rules and organisation failings have created an total shambolic mess. We just have to sit and wait. Annoying as ut is, we just have to crack on and assume BAU

Just bumping this for a couple of reasons Firstly, I want to move the topic away from spygate because it’s totally tedious Secondly, I wonder how other people feel about SR now, because I have a new angle on SR which leaves me stuck in a conundrum. I essentially stand by everything I said above - terrible owners, failures everywhere, got lucky with the Tonda appointment which was in no way by clever design, and basically they’re a shambles. But … if supporting your team is about moments of pure joy, elation, excitement, celebration and life-long memories, SR have delivered in spades. 4 of my top 10 ever experiences as a saints fan, maybe 4 of the top 5 - yesterday, playoff v Leeds, semifinal v Man City (that goal and the 2 minutes or so after), and the Arsenal win. I rank Arsenal and yesterday as 2 of my favourite ever at Mary’s experiences for sure. Of course, the relegation seasons were awful, miserable and at times downright embarrassing, and until this January our recruitment of players and managers laughably bad. I’m also aware of the danger of recency bias. But having been too young to remember the early 80s, not born for 76, and too busy playing my own football for large parts of the Le Tiss era, I’m short of experiences that come close to rivaling the 4 I mention above. To have 4 such amazing experiences in the last 2 years, and in amongst such terrible ownership really is remarkable. So… am I glad for SR or not? Will I remember this era fondly or not? For sure I’ll remember all 4 of those games as long as I live, or at least the joy and elation I felt. Amazing experiences that I’m so grateful for, but am I grateful for SR??

Pretty much how I see it. I’d prefer to finish 4th all things being equal but would rather 5th and a full squad of fit and fresh players. The other thing the 4th-at-all-costs demand forgets is that it’s not up to us anyway … we could play a full side, get a win and still finish 5th. To me the risks of preserving with players who clearly need a rest outweigh the marginally possible reward of playing home 2nd. Bree, Jander, Fellows, Azaz and Scienza look in need of a break to me; Stewart, Larin and Stephens need managing as well. I totally understand some people will think differently, but I’m still not sure why the order of a 2 leg tie matters half as much as some seem to think. If there’s extra time, maybe … but beyond that? Certainly not enough to risk getting a tired Leo or Azaz injured for, when winning might not make any difference anyway.

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest. Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington xxx Bragg Robinson xxx Archer Edozie Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

Before the season I’d have said us and Ipswich were two of the best squads in this league, and last night they both turned up. Both were a little tired and we were missing a couple of people who would have added some control (particularly Downes) but that was a great game and both sides performed really well, both sides went for it and both sets of fans added to it. Could have gone either way and naturally I’m frustrated we couldn’t hold our lead but to be honest it was a fair result. They were the best team I’ve seen here this season. I hope they go up so they’re not an obstacle in the playoffs and quite frankly as the best I’ve seen this season other than us, they deserve to. But equally on the evidence I’ve seen we’re a level above the rest of the playoff contenders and if we continue to perform as we have the last couple of months we’ll be promoted as well. Coventry deserve the title through their consistency but Saints and Ipswich are the best two teams in the league on their day - let’s hope we go and prove it 3 more times.

I have to say I think risking players in this scenario is worth it. There’s a chance. If the chance goes tomorrow than we can rest people Saturday. Im also not at all fussed about finishing 4th or 5th; I really don’t see that it matters anything like as much as people are making out. Stuff someone 3-0 at home first leg and the second leg doesn’t matter anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️ One final comment … who is the ref tomorrow and how many penalties is he giving Ipswich 😉

Bragg came off after an hour or so while Jander played the full 90. I think the midfield will probably be Bragg and Charles. I also think along the lines of @Saint Garrett - Azaz needs to play if he can.

Agree - Bree and Bragg were subbed and will be fine to start; Matsuki, Manning, Charles and Larin will be fresh. Jander, Leo and Azaz will be the most tired I suspect. Fellows too - he got through a lot of work. We could suffer a bit of a hangover from yesterday but something tells me Tonda will channel the disappointment in the right way and I actually think we’ll get a performance. I really hope the crowd are on top form as it’ll help. Last home game so we should give it our all to do our bit (I know there’ll likely be another in the playoffs)

We’d beat Wrexham in the playoffs IMHO. I’d actually worry more about Hull

What an amazing run we’ve been on - to guarantee a playoff spot with 2 games to spare was unthinkable for mucH if the season, even just a couple of weeks ago. And we are still unbeaten, in a cup semi-final and I’d still have us favourites to go up, albeit through the playoffs now and not automatically. I think I want Millwall to go up rather than Ipswich, especially as it will be replacing Spurs or West Ham. That’s going to be hilarious. I honestly think whoever falters out of Ipswich or Millwall will mentally struggle in the playoffs. I’d worry more about whoever sneaks 6th. For us now we can just enjoy Saturday, ruin things for Ipswich and give the away fans a great send-off at Preston before getting set to go again. Lots to enjoy still

Ignore me … Millwall play Tuesday as well. Im clearly getting over excited and talking rubbish 🤦🏻‍♂️