for_heaven's_Saint

The new 72 hour rule that came into play after Bielsa did it was an EFL rule, right? In which case, as far as the FA goes, Tonda's conduct wasn't any worse than Bielsa's and the punishment should be the same.

I think that because we went up and then back down again, ours is only 2 years. But could be wrong.

I disagree that he couldn’t play both. But if that was the case we should’ve prioritised Europe IMO. How long will it be until we see Saints in Europe again? Either way, Jose is a saints legend.

Either that or because it’s not true that Tonda didn’t know.

I know a guy who could get a peak at his Boro contract to see his release clause.

Would’ve been a bit harsh to leave him out after his ‘analysis’ helped us win all those games 😉

There’s surely got to be a difference between a knock out competition like the EFL trophy, where teams are automatically entered, and the playoffs, where qualification is the result of 46 games of football.

Secret Agent Man

Asked also if his side had been practising penalties, he replied: “Yes, we have. That was something we did today and had also done last week.” He was then asked how important it is that nobody from another club was watching his players take the penalties. “I don’t know,” he replied. Part of Middlesbrough’s anger is believed to come from the fact that they may still have to sell 35,000 final tickets to their supporters at short notice if Southampton win on Tuesday night but are then found guilty of breaching EFL regulations and kicked out of the play-offs. Middlesbrough will have to deal with the logistics of keeping their players fit and alert to the possibility that they could lose the game and still play in the final, as well as booking flights and hotels themselves for the showpiece, which is at Wembley on May 23. “We have a plan for every day up to the final,” Hellberg said. “I think I need to — and we need to — try to talk about the game. That’s the most important thing now. Like I said, I answered all those questions very honestly, what I think about it, on Saturday to everyone. Now I want to prepare my team for this game.”

Why would we want to make them feel at home?

I’m fairly sure that he can get another booking and still be eligible to play in the final. Think only a red on Tuesday would put him out.

Ffs no Downes is going to be such a massive miss.

Wouldn't hold your breath. Stoke have given two 18 year old defenders their full debut. Oh, and they have Bazunu in goal.

Yeah, I’d go with this. Possibly Jander starting and super sub Charles off the bench.

I think he’s on 11 and it’s 15 for a ban.

Yeah it can be quite frustrating but I think without having that side to him he wouldn’t have the aggression that he plays with. Don’t think you can separate the two so he’s always going to get in a few scraps. The good news is he only played 45mins, we still won and he’s fresher and ready to go for Tuesday.

On first viewing I wasn’t sure it was going in but it must’ve been for him to be given the goal. To come on that late and have your first touch as a first time volley like that is class.

Get in there! Thought Jander, Manning and Matsuki were good today. Leo didn’t have his best game but still gets an assist and did the flick for Jander’s cross for the winner. Also think it was good management from Tonda to take Downes off at HT. He was going to get sent off.

Keeper pretending to be injured, just as their fans said he would.

Bree seems to be playing really high and inside of Fellows.

Morris is going to be a handful. They look for him every time they have the ball.

I think Derby are going to be horrible to play against. Have disliked them since they beat us in the playoffs and goaded us on the pitch instead of celebrating their own win. Their fans actually seem to be proud of their shit football. Here's a few quotes from their forum: 'Dark arts, slow it all down, long balls in to channels behind their full backs.' 'If you're right then Travis or whoever needs to go down after 5 minutes and then ROD needs to have ankle problems a few minutes later. Try and suck the energy out of the match.' 'Can't wait for the "view from outside" post after this one. I'm dreaming of: "Beat Arsenal but cant score against Derby County". "They are the worst team I've seen at St Mary's this season. Their Captain is the king of $hithousery". "Morris bullied us from minute 1". "Hope we dodge them if we are both in the play offs. They've got some units". ' Hope we smash them.

But shit that it’s digital tickets- nice to have a physical one to hang on to for games like this.

You reckon? I would’ve thought we would.

On the Saturday you also have the following London teams at home: Fulham V Villa; West Ham V Everton; Arsenal v Newcastle; Charlton v Hull; QPR v Derby; Barnet v Gillingham; plus Luton v Barnsley.