trousers

It might well be a blessing in disguise if it was his 'bright idea'... It could mean that he bypassed Tonda and the first team set up altogether, and if any information was gleaned from such a covert operation there are always ways of slipping "rumours" of opposition team selections into conversation with the first team manager without them suspecting anything suspicious.... All of which would make Rasmus's position untenable rather than Tonda's. Again, other conspiracy theories are available!

Source or just a quip? (As it happens, the thought did cross my mind earlier that he might have had something to do with it....)

Here's a theory... Maybe we sent this intern fella up there the day before, with the intent of not breaching the 72 hour rule, but the daft kid then decided off his own back to pop over again the next day...? #clutchingatstraws

If the activity was sanctioned by the club then surely Tonda would have to be 'in the know', even if it wasn't him who instigated it..? I know I'm in danger of over-reacting here but I've got a bad feeling about this and a hunch that Tonda won't be here much longer if he was aware and/or instrumental in what happened...

Ok, fair enough, maybe a tad over the top... But if he was in anyway instrumental in any of this "cheating" then it's surely going to negatively affect his reputation in the game for some time to come?

This is the best case scenario, and fingers crossed that's what it is. If it was sanctioned by anyone in the club management chain then whoever that is needs their head examining. My fear is that Tonda was knowingly involved which, worst case scenario, could see him getting sacked or quitting and tarnishing the rest of his career. Either way, it doesn't get much more Saintsy than shooting yourself in the foot when all is starting to look rosey...

Not as bad as the self inflicted points punishment the first part of this season then...

I wonder how far up the management chain this goes? One assumes at least at as high as Tonda, otherwise why would our analyst(s) be doing it in the first place? As high as Spors? The board? The owner(s)?

If our so-called spy wasn't attempting to hide himself (according to that BBC take on events) then could the club argue that the league's rules only apply if a club tries to infiltrate a club's training sessions surreptitiously? The fact that he was seemingly not trying to hide himself might back up that theory...? Or maybe not....

"What did Southampton allegedly do? The alleged spy walked from the golf club to an area overlooking Middlesbrough's training pitches before he was spotted Middlesbrough train on the sprawling grounds of Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth-on-Tees, just outside Darlington. But this is not your classic training base, hidden away among trees and walled off from the prying eyes. Rockliffe Hall is also a luxury hotel, spa and golf resort built by Boro owner Steve Gibson. The complex is open to the public. If you want to sneak in and watch Boro training it would appear you do not have to try too hard. According to BBC sources, this is what happened late on Thursday morning. Both clubs have been approached for comment. So far Southampton have made no public statements on the matter. The supposed spy, who Boro allege to be a Southampton analyst, is said to have parked at the golf club, then walked a couple of hundred yards down a road which leads to the top of a small hill. The training pitches and golf course are next to each other with just a hedgerow separating them. While there have been reports that the so-called spy was found hiding in bushes, the real story is apparently no so dramatic. Sources told the BBC that the accused simply stood at the top of the hill, which slopes down to the training field and gives a clear view overlooking the pitches. Perfect for not-so-covert ops. At one stage the suspicious individual was pointing his mobile at the training session, while wearing in-ear headphones. Boro staff believe he may have been live streaming the session via a video call. What happens next sounds more like a comedy sketch than a cunning spy operation. A member of Boro's staff approached, say BBC sources, but the person would not identify himself. Then, he quickly deleted some content off his phone before running off into the golf club. He jogged into the toilets, changed his clothes and hurriedly left the site. Boro's photographer took photos - and, allegedly, matched him to a profile on the Saints website. And, of course, the individual was all over CCTV. Boro staff were furious and quickly reported it to the English Football League (EFL). Southampton's squad were not due to fly to the north east until Friday, so if the so-called spy was from the club it suggests an early reconnaissance mission."

And then they toughened up the rules and punishments thereafter....

Obviously designed to confuse your average dumb northerner....