VectisSaint

Yes, see my posts before. If he goes to Hearts or Celtic he gets Champions League football, and is closer to home and family. We also should consider that we have actually, probably, not offered him anything. We tried to invoke an option but it was past its sell by date and so was rejected on a technicality. There is no evidence that we have offered him anything else and it could be that he (or his representatives) indicated he wanted to see what else was out there. He's now at the WC at least for a few days until Scotland return home (probably very soon), he is unlikely to play many minutes, because there are other preferred options ahead of him and after that he will see what to do. It still wouldn't greatly surprise me to see him back with us, but of course Saints will be planning for him not being here and looking for alternatives. Everyone seems to think that signing Larin is the answer to life the universe and everything, sadly its not Cyle (who I really like) is injury prone (not in the same was as Ross, more short term niggles) and his fitness is highly questionable. Having Cyle and Ross together was a perfect situation. Some of the comments on here about Stewart are disgraceful, he gave us a lot in the last 6 months, people seem to forget his goals in the FA Cup that enabled us to get to Wembley once at least, as well as his contributions in the League. As you say, in the end not everything is about money, when you are paid what even Championship players are paid, the difference between top whack and average is not life changing, better to be happy, fulfil some ambitions and enjoy your short time in the game.

If only someone would tell the BBC.

We aren't paying him anything, so that's a moot point.

Think people may be reading too much into this. Yes he's out of contract so to all intents and purposes he's gone, but think there may be more to come on this, but nothing will happen until Scotland exit the WC (so quite soon 😉). Those slagging him off as being disloyal etc need to consider the facts (as known), the Club has not apparently covered itself in glory over Ross, albeit with mitigating circumstances. I know one thing we need someone like Stewart, mush as I like Larin he won't play 46.games in a season.

Loan ended, wasn't even making the bench end of last season. Would be shocked if we saw him in a Saints shirt again.

He was decent against Man City, Arsenal and Fulham, who I believe are PL level.

Not everything is about money, even for footballers.

I think that Ross is probably thinking Saints are not so keen on me staying that they wouldn't offer me a new contract regardless of what League they would be in next season, in other words they didn't think he was suitable for the PL. I would be a bit underwhelmed by that reaction if it was me and maybe its time to see what might be available elsewhere, probably after the WC (by the way can't see him getting much exposure in the WC, 3rd or 4th choice now). I hope he comes back, but suspect he might end up in the SPL, possibly with Hearts rather than Rangers or Celtic.

Not sure what Bree extension has to do with the transfer window opening. The transfer window only affects the official registration of players nothing to stop contract extension being announced and signed before then. What's the long summer of defensive negotiations all about? Surely the only other defensive doubt is THB, Manning having already extended or announced intention. What has been notable is that no one seems to have mentioned Welington, hopefully we will retain him, defensively he is much better than Manning, but granted that since we changed to 4 at the back Manning has become a better option all round with his attacking contributions. Good to have two contenders at LB.

The homesick thing is bollocks, it was around Christmas, don't think he ever claimed to be homesick, just that his GF wasn't over here, wish people would stop.saying this. Lots has changed since January. He's got a contract with us.and will stay unless we get a big offer.

Charles is planning to be with us next season, according to the Belfast Tely. Looking forward to being back for preseason. He's not going anywhere unless we decide to sell and I doubt we will unless it's for big money. Hope he stays.

Which is OK, but he won't be having a full preseason because he 's playing in some Noddy tournament.

He is anything but slow, as demonstrated on several occasions. Being a big guy he does take a bit of time to get up to speed though. I like him but my concern is whether he would be able to play much more than 30 or so games, he does seem to be a bit minor injury prone, and that's why it worked quite well with Stewart, with a similar profile.

I have a hunch, based on the two announcements yesterday that we know to some extent the outcome. I really don't think we would have announced Peretz and Larin who were so influenced by Tonda if we had not had some indication that there wasn't going to be a lengthy ban. I would think they may implement a touchline ban, a reprimand and fine. It's been 2 weeks since the investigation was announced, the FA have got bigger things on their plate, they would have looked into getting this out of the way pronto.

It's only bizarre because he is a City boy, not United. He is easily good enough for a top club in the PL. Hope he does stay but we didn't treat him too well when we loaned him out last season and may not feel so much of an attachment to us as some do. He will be a great player.

I suspect we have a pretty good idea that Tonda will be OK for next season for this announcement to have been made, likewise that Ramsdale's exit is also nailed on. It also suggests to me that most of the other first teamers are on board, even if one or two will ultimately be sold. A few players out of contract (Aribo, Romeu etc) and shift a few of last seasons loans, and the books can be balanced without much need for incomings. Was hoping we would sign Shea's bro from Wednesday, but not sure he would want to be backup, and would depend on Shea staying, which I hope he does but would get it if he doesn't. Maybe Alex would be good enough as backup, just worried that Peretz may not be as bullet proof injury wise to make that work. Wondering if Oriol might stay in an coaching role.

He won't be 'given the captaincy', unless Jack is on his way.

but Bazunu playing would mean you will be disappointed.

I'll join you in the minority. I was reasonably certain before Spygate that Leo would stay whatever, maybe a few doubts now, but it seems to me that he feels he owes us a lot for plucking him from obscurity and is clearly not in the usual greedy pro mould.

Whether or not it's a stupid rule, we didn't just get charged with the 72 hour spying rule, we were also charged with (paraphrasing) disrespecting opponents, the same rule as exists in the EPL. Even without the 72 hour rule we could/would have been charged if Boro felt we were taking the piss (which we were). We would probably have been thrown out just the same. We can go on and on about silly rules, unfair sanctions till the cows come home. In the end we were incredibly stupid, perhaps through naivity, but it was our fault. End of.

We did not appeal the spying accusation, or the other 5 rule breaches, we appealed the sentence only (and I believe only the sentence for the two Boro related charges).

They don't need to codify punishments for all misdemeanours. They have a catchall that says they can apply sanctions that they see fit. There were already precedents, not just Swindon in the EFL Trophy (excluded and a small fine for something that was completely inconsequential) but also Swindon in 1990? when they were excluded from the playoffs after they had won the thing, New York they were also demoted 2 divisions (one on appeal), yes their crime was very serious but did not really warrant the Draconian punishment they received, and the appeal seemed to support that notion. This whole idea that the EFL should spell out for the hard of thinking what sanction can be applied for each transgression is utter nonsense. Not forgetting we faced two charges (forget the Ipswich and Oxford charges, they were dealt with differently, i.e. points deductions because they were League games), so how would that work if each charge had a different sanction. There is only one realistic course of action in a knockout scenario, expulsion. Whether that costs a team £2k or £200m is irrelevant. If a match had not been played they could have awarded a walkover, but the outcome is the same.

No, because there is no rule against spying within 72 hours within the FA Cup. In addition, PL teams are highly unlikely to spy or attempt to spy because their training grounds are secure. The EFL have this rule because they know that many of their members cannot put such measures in place and so are legislating against teams acting in an unsportsmanlike manner. In its history, 143 Clubs have been disqualified from the FA Cup for transgressions. Expelling teams from knockout competitions has many many.orw events. Exactly what happened to us, the difference and why there is so much angst is because the Championship playoffs have become a monster, due to the potential PL money. The sporting sanction remains the same, but obviously the stakes were much higher highlighting further how stupid the spying was. A totally pointless action with no quantifiable gain or likely gain. People need to stop blaming the football authorities for something that was self inflicted, crass stupidity and where the "punishment" was always self evident.

The interesting point to me which you have picked up on, is that Tonda was not the instigator of the plan. I have been alluding to this in my infrequent comments, and in my view it is probably as much of a reason nothing has moved much yet as any other factor. The implication of this comment is that it is likely someone higher up knew about and instigated things, and this probably started before Tonda took the reins. Tonda was obviously complicit in authorising it to continue but others, and no idea if it's Spoors, Parsons, or whoever, knew about it and were even at the forefront. I'm certain as well that others, such as Garner, maybe even Lallana, and certainly one or two of the players knew exactly what was occurring. This is what the FA will be investigating, bringing the game into disrepute and also the alleged bullying of junior staff which they will take a dim view of. I suspect Saints are under an obligation to say nothing at present and not to do anything that would prejudice the investigation, similar to an injunction. Although this is a sporting rather than a legal investigation the rule of law will generally be followed. It could drag on for some time and completely wreck our summer plans. Let's hope not.

They do, but when a complaint is made or reported to the FA then the FA will investigate. As I understand it, if a complaint was made at all, it was reported by the EFL. Of course for all I know no complaint has been made but them's the rumours and usually there is no smoke without fire. In 2018 the FA ran an investigation into allegations of bullying made against head of strategy and performance Dave Reddin. The outcome was that there was no issue, but they took it seriously enough.