BallBoy

We are in a difficult position but Boro are now just taking advantage of their terrible misfortune to the point of "taking an unfair advantage". Trying to win an undeserved promotion in the courtroom.

Jander will have to work very hard. He always does but a lot to ask IMO.

The evidence is stacking up and it does not look good. I have been looking forward to these games but now it feels tainted. We have really made a big mistake and any good result will now be questioned. Our integrity has taken a massive hit. I firmly believe we are a better team than Boro but they are now the people's favourites. Understandably so. I want us to win but whoever is responsible for this have ket us down badly.

I don't know what bothers me the most. The fact that we did it or the fact that we made such a mess of it. Amateur.

I would find it difficult to believe that Tonda had anything to do with this nonsense. It is clearly being taken seriously though and the repercussions could be serious. What is certainly true is that we have already lost the neutral support because of this story. We have basked in the praise of the media recently. It will be sad to lose that.

Tonda will do his usual and rotate 3-4 players. The problem is that with injuries and suspensions he has fewer players available to him.

I am nervous about this one. More than usual! Will the crowd be really up for it? They need to be. Do the players have enough left in the tank after Saturday? Ipswich are a tough and dogged team. They will try to wear us down. They are masters of the dark arts but we cannot afford to let them frustrate us. We have better players and should win but we have to be at our best and impose ourselves. We need 11 players to stay on the pitch. I really want that 2nd leg at home and to keep our momentum. The stakes are high for both teams. Fingers and everything crossed.

Haaland on the bench!

Agree. Not sure I have seen a team fall over as much or foul as much as Ipswich.

Ipswich a lucky and unpleasant team.

Very simple. If they win all 3 we can't catch them.

Defying all the odds now. Who would have thought Archer to be our saviour. Eckert is getting the best out of every player.

I am as excited as anyone about our prospects of 2nd but it's not just Ipswich we need to worry about. Millwall have the easiest looking run in and are a point ahead of us. They are in a good position but we are the form side.

I thought this was a wind up! Someone said planets aligning. It's true!

This probably should be a separate topic but I just want to make a point: Our starting line up yesterday included these players- Bree, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Jander, Fellows and Azaz. All have, at various times, been in the category of "should never wear the shirt again". What a remarkable coach we have. Not only an astute tactician but also capable of transforming individual players. A brilliant coach.

So many times in the past I have witnessed Saints get into great position only to screw up in front of an optimistic capacity crowd. Dare I say that this time feels different. It will be a tough game but I think we will find a way to win.

Very kind.

Spoilt for choice.

I appreciate the travel challenges but, for me, the most important thing is that it's on the BBC. I live in the Highlands of Scotland and in poor health so Wembley is not an option for me. Just delighted I can watch it live in my living room. Wish I could be there and I wish you all well. I have my memories of finals and semi finals to keep me happy. But not the Adrian Heath semi at Highbury. That was just horrible.

Not mentioned yet but Armstrong v Man Utd. Late winner in 3-2 win following the Keegan goal that never was because Armstrong was offside! That Keegan "goal" would have been up there with the best. For me though it has to be Matty v Arsenal. Pure, unrestrained joy.

Team selection looks a little complacent to me.

Top 6 tomorrow!

Any long balls will come straight back.

My mother called me at work. She never does that and she knew nothing about football! She just knew it was important. In 10 minutes it was all over office (long before the inception of mobile phones). Top item on 6 o'clock news.

I have seen it all since 1967 but Matty's goal in the final game at the Dell still the most special moment ever. Just magic.