macca155

Bound to be a lot of unrest amongst the players at the moment, but moving clubs mid contract needs a lot of dominoes to fall. Those that can go will, but one looks at the contracts page tells you the Saints squad remains pretty formidable. GK Roeslev, Wood, Stephens, Quarshie, Manning, Wellington Fellows, Azaz, Charles, Bragg, Archer, BBD, Edozie, Robinson, Oyekunle Add in some decent U21s like O'Brien Whitmarsh, and Barney Williams, Saints are hardly down to their bare bones. Some glaring gaps though, a goalkeeper obviously, a THB replacement, and a CF. However signing Stewart (he owes us) will help. There is hope but a manager is needed asap.

That is an excellent read, and really nails the main cultural issue at the club. I fear that we are going to see more of the same. They seem incapable of learning.

That's a good point, I've envisaged a series of relatively calm crisis meetings with players, lawyers, and sponsors. In reality they are probably all running around blaming each other, and waiting for Dragon.

They'll have to break their silence soon. An email on season tickets must be on hold at the moment, and financially that can't wait much longer. Nevertheless I don't think we should be too impatient. Probably sensible to let the whole playoff saga quieten down a bit. I'd rather they took their time and make the right decision. Problem is I don't trust them one bit.

They're not questioning it, they are looking past it. Like it or not we'll never appoint another manager with his success rate. Any serious contenders will give Saints a wide berth. All down to the FA and the players. Nobody gives a toss what we think anyway. Bunker mentality from the club is doing my head in.

I can't envisage a scenario where we keep Tonda, but I wouldn't object if we do. The whole spying fiasco shouldn't detract from the fantastic job he did. His ability to galvanise and motivate players, tactical acumen, and let's face it ice cold shithousery, probably presents our best opportunity for success next year. As FF says, who gives a fuck about what the football world think. They aren't exactly positive at the moment. All depends on what the FA do and whether the players are prepared to accept him.

Totally agree we need experience in key positions . However without a thriving youth set up we really would be screwed. Look back the transfer fees that kept us going these past few years. Just find a sensible balance. Crucially they need a name as manager. Plenty around and despite our current woes they'll fancy their chances. Dyche, O'Neil, Solskjar, Parker, maybe even good old Ralph Players come and go, we've all seen it many times. Edozie sensibly sees an opportunity, as will Bragg, and Okunola. Get some experience in and they'll prosper. For me the scandalous treatment of the fans and entitled behaviour, needs to be addressed. I still don't think they get it, but they will when season ticket holders switch to memberships.

There is the nub of it. I'm 60 years supporting Saints, as did my father, and grandfather. Support stretching back to before Saints joined the league. That torch has been passed to my children, and grandchildren. It will be the same story for most on here. That is how support is built for clubs like Saints. Loyalty and a family bond that keeps you going. Success is rarely expected (or achieved), but we have a way closer connection to the club, and each other, than the corporate big six. Exactly the same as pretty much every other club. We're all hurting right now. SR have put a massive dent in that support. Things will calm down eventually, but the owners need to get their act together and fast.

10 to 14 days are they having a laugh

Losing a clearly talented manager is another blow, but clearly inevitable. It's a harsh punishment but Saints put themselves there. The club's response has been dreadful, they've shafted their own fans and players. Early door sackings to appease the vultures at the gate. Then they need to take their time and make some decent appointments for once. There are are a lot of decent youngsters still on the books, so it's a good opportunity to bring them on. Add in some grizzled experienced pros, and above all else a manager like Dyche or Lampard who can rebuild us.

The players must be devastated. They gave everything as did the fans. Most will want out now but the club will play hardball I suspect, unless they can get a decent price. Can't wait to be asked to buy a season ticket. I think I'll put the club on Ignore for a while. They've had enough out of me for a while.

As the noise increased over the last week, I began to feel that it was inevitable that we'd be chucked out. Admitted to 4 counts but I bet those were the ones there was evidence for, and they couldn't avoid. Judging by the results it was a pointless activity, but that's irrelevant, guilty beyond that charged. We'll be known for this for many years. What really pisses me off is that the club has hung it's own fans and players out to dry. They knew they were guilty and yet they still let the charade continue, and continued to stoke the fire. We all have to face the music now, .... my phone's melting. This is every Pompey fans wet dream. They'll be facing a fair bit of fury from the fans over this. Going to be a shit summer football wise.

What the hell is that statement, ridiculous. The rest of the football world will just laugh at them. They lost an (extended) game of football. Clearly no material advantage to Saints, whatever skulduggery we were involved in. They are losing all dignity doing this. They've gone very high on my list now.

I'm not trying to it's just sad to see so many entrenched positions being taken, that doesn't end well. I know fuck all about this, but the idea we could be chucked out of the playoffs for such a minor offence is ludicrous. As I said earlier there are no good scenarios here. I'm starting to fear the worst, which is madness.

Come on Hypo, they are doing what their lawyers are telling them to do. Doesn't make it right though. They are hanging their own supporters out to dry. The story is gathering pace now, I can't watch, listen, or read any ws now without this bloody fiasco being mentioned. Predictably we are starting to see people hitting out at each other on here. Goodness knows what will happen when we do actually know something.

Of course not, either other clubs have found evidence or Saints have admitted it. Ludicrously small chance of that. Just annoying that the club have refused to make any meaningful comment. Allows all this conjecture to thrive.

Only way it can happen I reckon and they would be bloody stupid to do that. Guess we'll find out soon.

Who knows what the interpretation will be. Both Boro and Saints fans are talking to their echo chambers. Neither have a clue, nor do the EFL it would seem. However my point was that if it happens , then they must have found evidence of systemic rule breaking over a period of time. It would have to be sufficiently damming to avoid the scenario you out.

No good scenarios here are there. However the only wayI can see Saints being thrown out of the play offs, is if there is clear evidence of repeat offences. If that's the case then frankly we'll have to take it without lube. I'd imagine that Dragan will be cleaning house after this. hope he has Thomas Frank on speed dial.

What's the situation with Flynn Downes and yellow cards. Is there a chance he could miss the final? Or any other player for that matter.

Replacing Downes with Charles is ok, and with Matsuki adding some extra bite in midfield, he'll have freedom to roam forward. Our bench is ridiculous, Tonda clearly looking at a long hard game. No way should we underestimate Boro, although don't think anyone is. They won't go down without a fight. Let's hope Saints can control the game and keep them pegged back. COYS

No no no, he's been great at times but he isn't the best tackler and not suited to their high energy style. Proper cheat code later on though. Jander and Downes to start, Bragg as back up with Charles to come on on the 2nd half. Let's face it Boro don't need spies, it's pretty obvious what the team will be.

Guilty as charged, need to pull myself together. Oh please let happen and he does the dambuster celebration.

Good point I feel better, but Leeds lost. If Saints win It'd imagine it might be brought up once or twice. I didn't intend being a complete melt in my list, although clearly am. My main point was that we can tough this out obviously, the real damage will come if the idiots gave been doing this all year.

My grip is firm but I can see where there is going. Same feeling I had sat outside the Heads office knowing I was getting 6 for throwing snowballs.