trousers

Indeed. If you remember @SaintlyAnd's post, it would appear that there's a 'community' of junior staff from all clubs whose job it is to go out and 'observe' opposition training sessions....

Yep, I agree... It's the size of the advantage that's up for debate, not the advantage itself...

I don't think anyone has said it never offers any advantage, rather that any advantage is usually minimal / negligible...?

Blackmore going in with two feet (justifiably, I guess...?)

I've also pondered this on the main 'spygate' thread, but given the FA didn't sanction Bielsa / Leeds, on what basis would they feel justified in being able to deal with Tonda / Saints December differently, given the activities were the same, without being inconsistent? (Leeds more prolific, in fact)

Why would the FA penalise us when they didn't penalise Bielsa / Leeds? As far as I'm aware, they don't have a new rule to play with, like the EFL did, ergo they should treat us the same? Also bearing in mind that Bielsa / Leeds had many more spying occasions to their name than we have (so far)...

Yup

I'm sensing you're not overly impressed @Crab Lungs? 😉

Pony, surely?

New bingo card for Trousers please! 😉

That's contrarians for you...

I think the lawyer chap on here is implying that we potentially screwed up by not putting our big gun lawyer (Pannick) on the initial hearing....? He makes a very good point on the new rule Vs the reality of what happened and compares it with Leeds. Worth a listen.

Yeah, wouldn't surprise me either... By the way, do you still get snippets of new kit info? cheers

I can understand the EFL treating it differently (due to their rule changes) but given the FA operate under their own rules, you'd have thought they would apply the same thinking to Eckert and they did to Bielsa (unless the FA rules that govern this area have also changed...?)

Ah, yes, probably a more likely explanation....

The club still haven't found the Middlesbrough bugging devices in the boardroom yet then....?

You'd like to think so... and we all know how consistent the footballing authorities are when it comes to this kinda thing...

It would seem that way.... who was at the helm at Saints back in the day when it seemed he was privy to everything that went on at the club and was almost a 'media champion' for the club? Someone's obviously rubbed him up the wrong way since (and not just because of this 'Spygate' malarkey)

I'm a tad surprised Dragan wasn't already over here to oversee the hearings TBH. I guess the answer to that is: "There was was nothing he could do until it reached a conclusion" which is fair enough I suppose.

Yep, good point. Did they actually launch an investigation into him and they let him off without a ban, or was there no FA investigation / sanctions at all...?