Saint Fan CaM

Of course not - no-one is until the full facts come out. If the lad was truly bullied then he’s got my full sympathy as that’s wrong, however there comes a time in life when you have to stand by your own convictions.

He’s a nipper probably living with his parents, but that’s not the point. He’s no better off now than if he resigned with his head held high. As I keep saying I don’t blame him - I blame Parsons as the architect of policy. And yes, in another life in the past I’ve resigned because I disagreed with corporate policy - I took on that responsibility for myself.

Putting words into my mouth is doing nothing to prove your point. I understand a rationale respectful argument is probably beyond you and that you’re hurting badly right now, but calm down and take a breath. We’ll agree to disagree. I don’t blame him and he likely took instruction from Tonda, but I also don’t follow the woke line that the lad had no option but to repeatedly do whatever he was told - he was cool and dandy like all the other analysts until the shit hit the fan.

Yeah, he needs the money for his iPhone contract I guess. Anyway it’s bollox - he had plenty of time to search out alternative employment if he objected to the culture etc., but he’s lapping up all the jollies with stays at hotels and expenses doing what he loves doing. I’m not sure Eckhert even had the jurisdiction over him anyway.

Don’t buy the bullying line. Not one bit. If you’re that concerned about the morality and object to the culture of an organisation you have the ultimate means to protect your position. Resign. Did he do that after previous alleged scouting trips to Oxford or Ipswich? No he didn’t…he was fine with his assignment until he got caught and decided to rat on his employer to save his own bacon.

I think it’s easy to trivialise the turnaround - it’s not as simple as going to a back four. We were in a fucking tailspin with the pilot in a coma - make no mistake. He turned things around both in terms of personnel and tactics. Credit where credits due.

Thanks to Parsons fessing up like a naughty schoolgirl the club had no choice but to batten down the hatches and attempt to control what was an utter shitshow. Tonda was part of it yes, but he’s no child killer FFS. Accountability starts at the top.

Absolutely - that’s why the information was not used immediately…no need to pull the trigger until the shots required. It was not until the last minute that the entire case built up over months was released to maximum effect. And Parsons just took the bait and allowed the club to be reeled in for slaughter. For me, if anyone needs to go it’s Parsons - he’s showed a lack of leadership in directing a number of policies and a total lack of commercial acumen when push came to shove. Oh for a strong no-nonsense CEO like Cortese…would’ve been all over Gibson.

Pre-Tonda, with Taylor still employed, Saints were tanking. Tonda comes in, takes a look around at what’s occurring and determines that Taylor needs to go. He goes to Boro pissed off with Tonda and rats to Gibson who then decides to plot to use the intel when appropriate. The rest is history.

Yes that is undoubtedly true, however let’s assume that other clubs also ‘scout’/‘spy’ too and previously a blind-eye was turned to it all. That diminishes the argument that Stills presence was a complete and utter surprise to the footballing community. Basically Gibbo pressed the nuclear button because he was desperate to get his grubby hands on £200m come what may, assuming that it would be a formality once he’d got rid of his biggest threat. The lack of other clubs coming forward is highly telling…they collectively shrunk for good reason and I’m sure that there were big intakes of breath within EFL boardrooms around the country when our punishment was announced. I am convinced Boro completely fabricated the entire scenario - played a blinder - knowing full well that there was no defence…a check-mate move. I do hope that a competent journo finds out the truth to expose their corruption one day and more than that, I hope Boro are financially crippled going forwards.

FFS - we’ve paid a huge price collectively for whatever you conceive that we’ve done. There does not need to be any further self-beating. Assuming Tonda is not banned by the FA and the players rally round, keep him…come out fighting.

Hope Gibbons loses his shirt on all the legal fees that must be winding their way to him. What a fucking loser. i was listening to a Boro supporter who phoned into Talksport (brave soul). Was complaining that their Manager insisted on playing Pep style possession and didn’t move the ball forward enough to create chances. And I’m thinking, oh you mean like Saints did under our previous 3 managers leading to a relegation and near 2nd relegation before Tonda came in?!? Perhaps you shouldn’t have spied on us? 🤣🤣🤣

Southampton FC statement The Board have concluded their internal investigation into what the media have dubbed ‘spygate’ following the sanctions levied against the club by the EFL. One of the key strengths of the club is its belief in our motto of ‘marching on together’ and this applies during good and bad times. That has always meant collective responsibility in all matters and so the Board strongly feel that continued support for all our staff, including our coaches, analytical staff and management is of paramount importance going forwards. The learning, healing and improvement process can only be a success if the club as a whole unit comes together to act as one. The significant sanctions levied against the club are certainly of an order that are considered an holistically sufficient punishment, therefore after careful consultation with ALL footballing department staff it has been decided to retain all members of the team that brought about 21 unbeaten games of football including wins against two Premiership sides in Fulham and Arsenal. We are united in our determination to improve both our own performance and contribute to ensuring a fair and just professional football environment. To our supporters around the World, we would like to extend an unconditional apology for the disappointment endured in not taking part in the EFL Play-Off Final. The Board will be considering ways in which we can compensate fans, not least by making the 2026-27 season an unqualified success. WE MARCH ON TOGETHER! 😉🤞- ok, so it’s fake news, but for me…we’ve paid a huge price collectively. Tonda proved his credentials without ‘spying’ in the cup games. Time to grow some big boy balls and come out fighting FFS.

I’d love it if Gibbo had the audacity to put the EFL on trial because they lost and then got absolutely stuffed with a massive points deduction for being utter cutns.

My fear now is that we don’t keep our best players, get a shit manager and get turned over twice by Boro. Dragan - you need to ensure we’re in tip top condition now - you owe the fans.