Saint Pete

Although on Tuesday (before our match), Hull put article on their OS saying full ticket details would be released on Wednesday following conclusion of our semi final. So, it seems there has been a delay to both clubs putting the info out without a clear explanation. Seems odd, guess we will know soon enough if anything is going on.

Absolutely. You don't hear any of these pundits / hypocrites like Troy Deeney calling for expulsion, points deductions, result reversals etc when someone is shown post match to have dived to get a penalty do you? But that is blatant cheating of the officials and opposition that directly affects the result of the game, much more so than what we are accused of doing.

Which is a much more sensible view. A lot of this sanctimonious, hypocritical nonsense coming out in the press really sticks in the throat, particularly when coming from pundits who themselves were well known for doing anything they could on the pitch to con the officials and cheat the opposition.

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/wembley-play-off-final-range-available-for-pre-order-now These will be collectors items if we do get chucked out! 🤣

I got that impression he wasn't gonna give one to either side unless it was a full on assault in the box! In fairness, I'm glad the game wasn't decided by a debatable penalty.

I think I read somewhere that EFL could recommend a points deduction to apply for the Prem next season (if we get there) but it would be the Prem's decision on whether to apply it?

Yep, anyone who says St Mary's can't generate an atmosphere in future, refer them to this game! I almost missed the window for tickets and ended up in Itchen/Chapel Corner but even there it was pretty good tonight.

I was up the other end but personally thought the Larin one looked a possible, it seemed to me he got to the ball first and was then tripped but I only got the one look at it. On the highlights there is also one where a defender has a full handful of Stewart's shirt as he is trying to reach a cross.

Just saw Tonda's celebration for Shea Charles winner. He's human after all, emotion at last!! 😉

I disagree with your comment about us being too passive tonight. I agree that we started the game tentatively and I must admit I was mentally questioning whether Tonda made the right call going with Charles rather than Downes. (But I thought Charles did grow into the game in the end). We didn't seem to have midfield control in the first quarter of the game and it looked dicey for a while. But we gradually wrestled control and seemed to have a huge amount of set pieces at their end. It was no surprise for me when we equalised and second half and in extra time, it always felt we were the dominant side and the more likely to force a winner. The keep ball stuff I think actually helped in that respect and helped us build pressure on Boro. Bottom line is I think most genuinely neutral observers would have said we definitely edged it overall tonight and deserved the win. Boro are a good top end side so it was never going to be a walkover.

I don't know what went on with Ayling and THB but what I will say as an observer in the stadium, Ayling himself seemed to be giving out plenty, getting in the referee's face etc on a regular basis. I'm not excusing it but I'm guessing quite a lot of fairly fruity language was being given and taken on both sides, particularly in that first half.

The other issue is even once they make a decision, there would surely have to be some form of right to appeal so that would need to also take place in time for ticket sales etc for the final.

Basically playing for time then. No denial, but no clear admission either.

I think we need to be at it from the start in this one, the crowd should be bang up for this and the team needs to use that and set the tone early on. Get Scienza and Azaz on the ball as much as we can in advanced areas and get at them. If anything, my slight worry is we get too hyped up and someone (probably Downes) does something silly! I have a feeling this game may need strong but sensible refereeing, so let's hope that's what we get...

Thing is, sadly this time if it's true we have done (and planned) this, the situation is all down to the club (or it's staff's) own stupidity. I still can't believe they thought it was worth the risk given the massive importance of these games and that we were favourites to beat them anyway.

Yep, feels like their fans and media see their best opportunity of getting through is us getting expelled from playoffs post match rather than beating us at St Mary's! Although logically it shouldn't matter, I think it would help us particularly in the crazy media circus if we could smash them by as many as possible as the narrative would switch slightly to "well, they would have won anyway!"

If it turns out this is a regular thing and not a one off, it's pretty fanciful to think Tonda wouldn't know about it. Why do it if the manager doesn't get to see the results of it?

There isn't a solution which is why I disagree with VAR so much. It seeks perfection in a game where you will never find perfection in refereeing decisions. As a few others said, you could probably analyse what went on at that corner and find another 3 or 4 fouls either way. Which ones came first, where do you draw the line? When a goal is scored, VAR is obviously geared to look for fouls that would disallow the goal, so that is mainly what they are focusing on. It's preferable to have no VAR and accept the decisions of the on field officials as in the Championship and below in my view.

I think they probably did but personally I would prefer a world where VAR did not exist and decide key moments like that, it doesn't feel right.

VAR will save Arsenal.

And there we are.

That was their big chance you feel, has to score from there.

West Ham hanging in there so far vs Arsenal. Would be pretty hilarious if they manage to beat them. It's a great opportunity for West Ham in some ways, not often they get the chance to royally screw both Arsenal and Spurs simultaneously!

We could report him to the EFL for wrongly accusing us (if we are found innocent), that would also be fun!

Yep, we've had our slice of luck in that first half when we could have been several goals down. We can't afford to rely on being lucky again, absolutely need to be right on it from the start on Tuesday night to get through.