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Totally agree. I like his analysis and support on the whole along with the "going home" thing but his reaction to what now appears to be an over-the-top media conspiracy on pretty much nothing does him no favours at all.

Maybe leave it a few days before tapping up Hayden Hackney then.

Given the context explained by Tonda I find it hard to understand just how the so-called "independent" panel came up with the draconian punishment that they handed down, other than it was what "Gibbo" and his press chums were demanding. The whole things still stinks.

Sounds like Blackmore has stopped beating himself with sticks and wailing "woe is me" at last. If anyone needs to have the finger pointed at them now it's the EFL.

I think people were looking at the precedence where a fine was previously deemed sufficient. Maybe it wasn't expected that the EFL would cave in to Gibbo's campaign to actually reverse the result of an actual football match and have a suspect panel throw a nuclear bomb at Saints. Besides all that, the unprecedented and severe punishment has been handed down so let's move on while throwing barbed comments at the incompetent EFL and their friendly hacks.

A response inside 12 hours? The EFL seem to have been determined from the outset that Gibbo's cry-babies were going to get to Wembley. They seem to have totally ignored their own damn rules and if it were me in Dragan's position I'd be suing their arses.

A siege mentality, 6 points from "Gibbo"'s cry-babies and then automatic promotion with a record points total is what the coming season demands.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when "Gibbo" meets Dragan next season.

"Extraordinary scandal"? Roan needs to get a grip. Totally blown out of proportion.

Would love to move on but there's still some that need to thrash themselves with sticks a bit more.

The punishment handed down looks even more draconian than it did previously if this is all they have. Why the hell didn't Saints fight it?

Only because the minor infraction of a bloke standing by a tree doing some scouting in public has been pushed into the -gate sphere for some reason. Is it really worse than the cheating that goes on during an actual match?

The tree needs to be brought up to date.

The way the EFL's going with its various silly rules and random draconian sanctions for those deemed to be guilty of some transgression it'll soon be possible to win a league title without winning any games of football at all. 😉

Maybe someone should think of organising a fan coach outing to the fine facilities available at Rockcliffe Park just prior to Saints fixture at Middlesbrough next season. The scenery there is surely worth recording and Youtube viewers would no doubt be delighted to join in. 😎

Bit early for that sort of drink-fuelled horror fantasy if you ask me.

Sorry but I've been to the pub. Fact is there's some on here that give up too easily to bullying opponents. Wouldn't want them on the pitch for Saints. Besides all the "woe is me" and "horrific crime" stuff is there anyone really willing to suggest that the harsh punishment handed out by the "independent" panel actually fits the "crime"?

I'm pondering on what form of alleged cheating is worth more of a punishment than another, or any punishment at all. I then consider whether Saints punishment might be a bit harsh but I'm sorry if you can't keep up. I'll gather up my sackcloth.

Thought it was obvious myself but let me try an analogy. Suppose it was the last minute in the Boro v Saints 1st leg with the scores at 0-0. A goal-bound shot comes in and a Saints defender punches it away off the line. The ref doesn't see it and the offence goes unpunished. Does that cheating have more or less obvious influence on the outcome of the game than a bloke standing by a tree less than 72 hours before a game? Would the EFL step in to reverse the result? If the head coach denies seeing what was obvious to camera evidence would the FA charge him or ban him? Would fans be publicly beating themselves with whips and declaring that the whole team be banished from the league? Or would we all just get a grip and get on with our lives?

He had a pretty severe punishment for something minor too.

I take it there's no chance of a friendly behind closed doors at Rockliffe Park then.

"Was" or "will be"?

"Gibbo" and his fans will be looking at this place and laughing at the surrendering self-immolation displayed by some. Presumably you'll be applauding the sporting chaps at 'Boro when they turn up at St Mary's next season before expecting Saints to throw the game as a measure of their ongoing guilt. As I said, get a grip.

Proof of a minor breach of a silly rule that didn't define a punishment. We got thrown out because "Gibbo" has friends in high places at the EFL, Saints went for a daft plea bargain and the "independent" panel had a conflict of interests that resulted in a punishment far outside any precedent or reasonableness. If you'd been following this at all then you'd know all that.

Don't ask me. I'd have told the EFL and the so-called "independent" panel to prove it and for "Gibbo" to buy a fence. Saints and some supporters need to get off their knees.