Boro 0-0 Saints - Match Thread

[Saint-Reece]

5 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Lots of bravado on here, which I want to embrace, but that's going to melt away when the shit starts flying.

It will be relentless in every stadium, football fans have long memories. On top of that, journalists will be digging for a story now. Other 'alleged' offences will start being talked about, even if it's complete bollocks, the noise will constant.

There certainly won't be much joy in the forthcoming matches.

It feels like the club is trying to tough this one out, but I'm not sure that's going to cut it.

Bloody season is ending like the last one. Wembley seems a distant memory now.

Get a grip 😂

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Lots of bravado on here, which I want to embrace, but that's going to melt away when the shit starts flying.

It will be relentless in every stadium, football fans have long memories. On top of that, journalists will be digging for a story now. Other 'alleged' offences will start being talked about, even if it's complete bollocks, the noise will constant.

There certainly won't be much joy in the forthcoming matches.

It feels like the club is trying to tough this one out, but I'm not sure that's going to cut it.

Bloody season is ending like the last one. Wembley seems a distant memory now.

If Azaz spanks in a last-minute winner to send us to Wembley on Tuesday there will be plenty of joy I assure you. You absolute melt.

[Tommy]

We’ve some proper wet wipes in this supporter base. Give away an own goal, give ya head a wobble. 
 

I wanna see the players smashing in goals today throwing spy related celebrations after every one of them. 

[Matthew Le God]

A song for the pre match build up on Tuesday at St Mary’s...

 

 

[DellBlockH]

I accidentally made a good point above. So good, I'm going to repeat it in a post of its own.

if your training is visible from a hotel (or golf course) you have deliberately built by your training ground, you can't have a legitimate expectation of privacy.

[macca155]

1 minute ago, Saint-Reece said:

Get a grip 😂

My grip is firm but I can see where there is going. Same feeling I had sat outside the Heads office knowing I was getting 6 for throwing snowballs.

[badgerx16]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

A song for the pre match build up on Tuesday at St Mary’s...

 

 

Follwed by Rockwell's "Somebody's watching me".

[RedArmy]

I can’t wait to beat these crybaby cunts today. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

12 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Lots of bravado on here, which I want to embrace, but that's going to melt away when the shit starts flying.

It will be relentless in every stadium, football fans have long memories. On top of that, journalists will be digging for a story now. Other 'alleged' offences will start being talked about, even if it's complete bollocks, the noise will constant.

There certainly won't be much joy in the forthcoming matches.

It feels like the club is trying to tough this one out, but I'm not sure that's going to cut it.

Bloody season is ending like the last one. Wembley seems a distant memory now.

Am not sure this dogs Leeds wherever they play. I'd even forgotten that they were actually the first club to get caught doing it

[StrangelyBrown]

6 minutes ago, DellBlockH said:

I accidentally made a good point above. So good, I'm going to repeat it in a post of its own.

if your training is visible from a hotel (or golf course) you have deliberately built by your training ground, you can't have a legitimate expectation of privacy.

100% this. Shows what a bunch of absolute noddies run Middlesboro.

Come on you spies!!!

[tdmickey3]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/13541724/middlesbrough-vs-southampton-efl-charges-saints-after-member-of-staff-was-alleged-to-have-spied-on-boro-training

[macca155]

9 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Come on  

 

Before this was brought up and comparisons made when was the last anyone thought about Leeds doing it? 

Good point I feel better, but Leeds lost. If Saints win It'd imagine it might be brought up once or twice.

I didn't intend being a complete melt in my list, although clearly am.

My main point was that we can tough this out obviously, the real damage will come if the idiots gave been doing this all year.

[Saint_clark]

14 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Lots of bravado on here, which I want to embrace, but that's going to melt away when the shit starts flying.

It will be relentless in every stadium, football fans have long memories. On top of that, journalists will be digging for a story now. Other 'alleged' offences will start being talked about, even if it's complete bollocks, the noise will constant.

There certainly won't be much joy in the forthcoming matches.

It feels like the club is trying to tough this one out, but I'm not sure that's going to cut it.

Bloody season is ending like the last one. Wembley seems a distant memory now.

I've arranged a press conference to announce i'm severing all ties with Southampton Football Club. I'd rather be accused of kiddy fiddling than be associated with this club now. Absolutely ashamed. 

[macca155]

10 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

If Azaz spanks in a last-minute winner to send us to Wembley on Tuesday there will be plenty of joy I assure you. You absolute melt.

Guilty as charged, need to pull myself together.

Oh please let happen and he does the dambuster celebration.

[tdmickey3]

3 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Good point I feel better, but Leeds lost. If Saints win It'd imagine it might be brought up once or twice.

I didn't intend being a complete melt in my list, although clearly am.

My main point was that we can tough this out obviously, the real damage will come if the idiots gave been doing this all year.

That is good point

Edited 9 hours ago by tdmickey3

[James G]

15 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Even if they hit us with a 6-point deduction, which seems unlikely, all it means is that us and Boro will have swapped places in the table.

To put us outside of the playoff places completely, it would need to be 10 points or more, and there's no chance the punishment will be that harsh.

It's not feasible in the slightest for the EFL to impose any kind of sanction that would mean re-arranging or replaying any of the playoff fixtures at such short notice. Just not gonna happen.

They're also not going to throw us out because the playoff final is worth 200m allegedly and the biggest fine ever in football is 31m for Chelsea. So, it wouldn't tally

Like you said, a 3 or a 6 point deduction, we're still in the playoffs anyway

I think whatever happens, Middlesbrough are going to be left hard done by.

The worst thing for us is we'll carry the cheat label for a while and be the bad guys

[James]

Some pretty weird overreactions here. Not great but it’ll be a fine or a small points deduction at worse (which would be incredibly harsh given the antics of the big clubs).
 

Not sure Leeds carry the “cheats” label around with them, that incident is long forgotten and they were doing it all season. 

[Saint86]

Best things that can happen now is that we absolutely smash them or the Boro fans do something to disgrace themselves. The former and it puts one little training session out of its significance (especially with 46 games to review), if the latter happens it puts Boro in a very negative light with all eyes on the game, I am sure the EFL won't take lightly to that.

Eitherway, they've behaved embarrassingly, complete and utter melts. Reviewing training sessions has gone on for years up and down the country, just embarrassing for saints if we have actually been stupid enough to do it and get caught like this. Boro can't really complain too much though, a wide open training. Ground and no security 😂😅

[Secret Site Agent]

I'm just catching up on the "Spygate" thing.

If we did do it, why stand on the grassy knoll with a phone, why not use a drone? 120m in the air no one can see or hear it, there isnt a geofence, i've checked, and you could easily get away with it without being seen.

Also, i would get the back room staff to look through facebook and try and find as many peopel that look like the supposed "spy".

they have no real evidence do they?

Besides who would do such thing?

 

 

 

I'm replacing my Saints bobblehead with a Saints tinfoil hat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Secret Site Agent

[James]

Just now, Saint86 said:

Best things that can happen now is that we absolutely smash them or the Boro fans do something to disgrace themselves. The former and it puts one little training session out of its significance (especially with 46 games to review), if the latter happens it puts Boro in a very negative light with all eyes on the game, I am sure the EFL won't take lightly to that.

Eitherway, they've behaved embarrassingly, complete and utter melts. Reviewing training sessions has gone on for years up and down the country, just embarrassing for saints if we have actually been stupid enough to do it and get caught like this. Boro can't really complain too much though, a wide open training. Ground and no security 😂😅

My favourite thing about the Boro reaction is that they are convinced that Big Bad Steve Gibson is going to lawyer up and it’s going to be curtains for us. As if both clubs can’t afford a lawyer if it comes to it 😂

The fact they need this kind of thing to build an atmosphere for a playoff semi is embarrassing.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Secret Site Agent said:

I'm just catching up on the "Spygate" thing.

If we did do it, why stand on the grassy knoll with a phone, why not use a drone? 120m in the air no one can see or hear it, there isnt a geofence, i've checked, and you could easily get away with it without being seen.

Also, i would get the back room staff to look through facebook and try and find as many peopel that look like the supposed "spy".

they have no real evidence do they?

 

 

 

 

I'm replacing my Saints bobblehead with a Saints tinfoil hat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You seem to have put a lot of thought into this.

Given your username, was it you? 🧐

[SotonianWill]

14 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Good point I feel better, but Leeds lost. If Saints win It'd imagine it might be brought up once or twice.

Leeds didn’t lose the spygate game. They won 2-0. It was the games they didn’t spy in which they lost, later in the season. 

[hypochondriac]

12 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Guilty as charged, need to pull myself together.

Oh please let happen and he does the dambuster celebration.

Good lad. I totally get the initial reaction to be pissed off but we have no choice but to own it now. Win the playoffs and we won't care.

[Nordic Saint]

9 minutes ago, James G said:

They're also not going to throw us out because the playoff final is worth 200m allegedly and the biggest fine ever in football is 31m for Chelsea. So, it wouldn't tally

Like you said, a 3 or a 6 point deduction, we're still in the playoffs anyway

I think whatever happens, Middlesbrough are going to be left hard done by.

The worst thing for us is we'll carry the cheat label for a while and be the bad guys

They'd simply disqualify us and give our place in the final to Middlesbrough IF we beat them. That's what Middlesbrough will be demanding. They'll already have contacted every possible media outlet to press their case. 

[James]

Just now, Nordic Saint said:

They'd simply disqualify us and give our place in the final to Middlesbrough IF we beat them. That's what Middlesbrough will be demanding. They'll already have contacted every possible media outlet to press their case. 

Not a chance that happens IMO. 

[Sheaf Saint]

2 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

They'd simply disqualify us and give our place in the final to Middlesbrough IF we beat them. That's what Middlesbrough will be demanding. They'll already have contacted every possible media outlet to press their case. 

Which would then prompt a legal challenge from Wrexham and their Hollywood ownership to put in the documentary. 

[Whitey Grandad]

48 minutes ago, trousers said:

Doesn't this "72 hour" rule supplement the previous "fair play" rule, not replace it...? So, even if a club doesn't breach the 72 hours, they still fall foul of the fair play rule, the same rule that got Leeds fined £200k? In other words, as I read it, I don't think the 72 hours rule is designed to give clubs carte blanche to 'spy' on training sessions outside of that window...?

Then why is it there?

[S-Clarke]

I think this is all absolutely hilarious, stupid and dumb, yes, but absolutley hilarious.

If Boro were spotted hidden on Marchwood bypass, I'd think it was a stupid and dumb thing to do, but I'd still find it hilarious. I found it hilarious when Leeds were caught.

The over reaction by the Boro fans is funny as fuck, it may play into them - who knows, but they sound desperate and pathetic. 

Some of the reactions on here from our lot are questionable too -  'This taints the season', 'This will make all grounds hostile to us now' - give it a break, this is absolute nonsense from both sides and a pure irrelevance to anyone outside of Middlesborogh.

Just bring on the football, they clearly want to focus on the bollocks rather than football - so let us do what we do well.

[Nordic Saint]

10 minutes ago, James said:

Not a chance that happens IMO. 

I was simply pointing out that they wouldn't have to cancel the play-off final if they did throw us out, 

Perhaps too simply 😄

Edited 8 hours ago by Nordic Saint

[benjii]

Waiting for the club social media pic approaching the Riverside with, "I spy, with my little eye..." as the caption

[James]

2 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

I was simply pointing out that they wouldn't have to cancel the play-off final if they did throw us out in response to this: "They're also not going to throw us out because the playoff final is worth 200m." 

If they did they’d be increasing the fine for us versus Leeds by effectively 1000%. That’s exactly the reason it’s not going to happen. I get the rules have changed since the Leeds incident but you can’t go from a £200k fine to an effective £200m fine. For context, the largest ever fine is Chelsea which is roughly £10m.

Edited 8 hours ago by James

[Whitey Grandad]

35 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Some people are being ridiculous. Saying it would taint promotion? What are you on? 

Exactly.  How are Leeds doing these days? Nobody gives a defecation. 

[Saint NL]

We will have to put an asterisk next to our achievement.

 

Southampton 2025/26 Playoff Winners*

 

 

*Watched a few mins of Boro training 

[Secret Site Agent]

14 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

You seem to have put a lot of thought into this.

Given your username, was it you? 🧐

I can neither Confirm nor Deny that allegation.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

We will have to put an asterisk next to our achievement.

 

Southampton 2025/26 Playoff Winners*

 

 

*Watched a few mins of Boro training 

*On a Thursday instead of a Wednesday 

[SaintsLoyal]

All those involved in this disgusting spy operation need to be sacked whoever they maybe.

All read that would see two people sacked, but did the likes of Tonda know about it ? 

[Whitey Grandad]

14 minutes ago, James said:

Not a chance that happens IMO. 

Indeed. Disproportionate punishment. 

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, SaintsLoyal said:

All those involved in this disgusting spy operation need to be sacked whoever they maybe.

All read that would see two people sacked, but did the likes of Tonda know about it ? 

Every club does it. Including Middlesbrough. 

[S-Clarke]

50 minutes ago, Sarnia Cherie said:

Have Sport Republic reacted in any way?  Claimed responsibility? Denied all knowledge? The very least the team and supporters should expect, isn't it?  If they are at the bottom of what appears to be a third rate James Bond film then they need to go. Tonda and the team have turned the season around for us and now, with the playoffs imminent, they may have pulled off a ridiculous stunt like this. Even if Saints do not receive a fine or point deduction there will be many, even some of our own fans, who believe there is no smoke without fire and this whole pathetic episode tarnishes our club. Think how we would feel if we were in Boro's boots.

If we were in Boro's shoes I'd think we were pathetic and stupid, but I'd find it funny because realistically what advantage is it going to give you? It's just dumb, full stop really.

This isn't the crime of the century as so many seem to be proclaiming. We haven't spent £100m we didn't have. We haven't bet on game results or bribed referees. We haven't broken into the training ground by force and nicked all their bibs.

We had one guy, spotted on a fully public hill, overlooking their training pitches with a phone. That is it.  I could have done it if I wanted, which begs the question as to why they leave it so exposed and then cry when someone takes some pictures.

[saintant]

36 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/13541724/middlesbrough-vs-southampton-efl-charges-saints-after-member-of-staff-was-alleged-to-have-spied-on-boro-training

Nothing new here.

[beatlesaint]

4 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

All those involved in this disgusting spy operation need to be sacked whoever they maybe.

All read that would see two people sacked, but did the likes of Tonda know about it ? 

Well lets be brutally honest here, there would be absolutely no point carrying out this covert operation and NOT passing the information onto the manager and his coaching staff !

[Monk]

8 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

*On a Thursday instead of a Wednesday 

This is the most underrated comment on here 😆 

[Whitey Grandad]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

If we were in Boro's shoes I'd think we were pathetic and stupid, but I'd find it funny because realistically what advantage is it going to give you? It's just dumb, full stop really.

This isn't the crime of the century as so many seem to be proclaiming. We haven't spent £100m we didn't have. We haven't bet on game results or bribed referees. We haven't broken into the training ground by force and nicked all their bibs.

We had one guy, spotted on a fully public hill, overlooking their training pitches with a phone. That is it.  I could have done it if I wanted, which begs the question as to why they leave it so exposed and then cry when someone takes some pictures.

But did we though? It could have been anybody. And since the security staff didn't obtain his identity there is  very little evidence of any Saints involvement.  Unless we admit it.

[S-Clarke]

6 minutes ago, SaintsLoyal said:

All those involved in this disgusting spy operation need to be sacked whoever they maybe.

All read that would see two people sacked, but did the likes of Tonda know about it ? 

Disgusting operation? Really? It was thick as shit, of course it was, but it's irrelevant in any circle outside of Boro. If you think every football team is whiter than white you are mistaken.

Clubs do shit like this all the time, a lot worse as well. Tapping up, agent bribing, getting unfair advantage in player transfer etc. All of that shit brings in the game into much bigger disrepute than a young kid on the top of a public hill with a camera.

Slap on the wrist, a fine, take it and move on. Those calling for sackings, points deductions and expulsions are utterly nuts.

[Osvaldorama]

Honestly this is so funny. 🤣 

 

The reaction by some is genuinely unbelievable. I don’t know how some people make it through daily life 

[Toadhall Saint]

11 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

*On a Thursday instead of a Wednesday 

** bloody bank holiday! Always screws up my days 

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Whitey Grandad said:

But did we though? It could have been anybody. And since the security staff didn't obtain his identity there is  very little evidence of any Saints involvement.  Unless we admit it.

Well exactly, unless we've admitted it privately no idea. But either way, it's all a load of nonsense really. Predicably played by a team who feel they need to create a hostile environment, as they couldn't trust their fans to bring it themselves.

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Well lets be brutally honest here, there would be absolutely no point carrying out this covert operation and NOT passing the information onto the manager and his coaching staff !

Unless any such information was not worth having*

*In technology information analysts will tell you that negative information is of itself information. 

[Eire Saint]

Such a shame this is dominating the coverage of this massive game for us. Hoping this is just an ex-intern being an idiot to try to build reputation with his former employer. The pearl clutching across some of the media is ridiculous though. Best way to deal with this is to smash them on the pitch today. An early goal will help to quiten the place. COYS

[egg]

51 minutes ago, Tommy said:

We’ve some proper wet wipes in this supporter base. Give away an own goal, give ya head a wobble. 
 

I wanna see the players smashing in goals today throwing spy related celebrations after every one of them. 

Absolutely this, and in the home leg, I want us coming out to the James Bond theme, then finishing the job. 

00-7 to us on aggregate.