Southampton banter 3

14 May 2026 16:48:53
With each media update, the story worsens. The suspect is reported to work for our back room staff in some capacity and left evidence at the scene (bank details) which may lead to an auditable trail around the country.

If the evidence is incontrovertible (and it seems that way) we have a serious problem.

Even falling on our sword and pleading for leniency won't cut it.

It may boil down to 'proportionality' - a punishment to fit the crime. One could argue that a £100m forfeiture for missing out on a place in the PL is way over the top.

Unfortunately, if proven this is a generational event that will take years to come back from.

If unproven, it will leave a smear that has tarnished an unexpectedly good season.

Either way, we're cattle trucked - it's just a case of how much.

15 May 2026 01:15:39
Yea from the pictures posted you can clearly see him amongst the staff members in the picture with Tonda receiving the Manager of the month award.

They tracked him down with a combination of pictures and the fact he brought a coffee at the golf club that he subsequently ran back into change clothes later when he was caught.

Now the bigger concern is that they're asking for his bank account files. Meaning I'm guessing that want to see if his behavior of buying coffee/food with his own bank card near the venues of other training grounds matches up with the dates that were playing teams of said training grounds.

If that evidence does match up then yea we have a bit of a sh!t storm on our hands.

If indeed there are multiple occurrences of this spying stuff then Tonda most definitely is not the tactical genius many people on here have made him out to be, at best he can throw the analyst guy under the bus and say he knew nothing about it, but at worst which I think is more likely (If there are more occasions of it happening) he did know either some or all of it.

15 May 2026 08:15:18
It must be a major distraction for the players. They do live in a bubble for much of the time, but they are not insulated from this sort of global scrutiny.

I don't believe the players were aware of any of this (if the allegations are true) because footballers cannot keep secrets and could hold the club to ransom if they felt so inclined.

Lesleee, your choice of term 'rubbish show' could prove an understatement.

15 May 2026 08:36:46
I thought I read that this analyst left Saints in March and now works for AV. He is reported not to be in the March or April photos of Tondas award suggesting it may be a lone wolf job pre semi final playoff. Motive would be unclear then why but don't know why he left.

He then was not removed from the staff website. Maybe if he was previously doing this it was unknown and then became known. Feel more reassured it's independent lawyers dealing with it and will assess the evidence and full context properly without emotions clouding judgement

15 May 2026 10:25:51
Please God, you're right Guernsey Boy. Any form of damage limitation will be welcome.

15 May 2026 10:45:45
Now confirmed by Ugly Inside article. Looks increasingly like no case to answer verdict to me. Oh and a heavy costs order against EFL who brought the case. We shall see

15 May 2026 11:36:24
Someone from the senior management said at an early stage that it was an intern 'trying to impress'. it was a one off comment that got lost in the noise of hysteria
It appears that this seems to be the case and that he acted renegade.
no case to answer. end of.
And as much as lesleeeee has decided that this new manager must have been achieving with inside information,
He's achieving because he is a very intelligent, technical genius
Go listen to some of the players talking about Eckert.
his in-depth analysis has been so in-depth that they can't believe it and are in awe

Now let's get back to the business
COYR

15 May 2026 12:03:02
Well said Rich. The boys are so focused and we need to give them loads of encouragement now and until the final. Let's all get behind them COYR

16 May 2026 07:28:52
Lesleee regardless of how Tonda may have got his information, he still had to know how to use it. He has to set up a team to play in a manner that cancels out what he may or may not have seen.

This would require tactical genius.Has anyone tried filming a football match/ anything from over, in my estimation, 200m away on a iPhone? Very difficult to hold still and keep focused on everything.

16 May 2026 12:38:43
Not at all Saint Kenny, it doesn't make you a tactical genius in the slightest, it very much makes you the opposite.

I guarantee with the team we have anyone of us here could have put a few points on the board with it.

Now if you tell me, to add to that before each match you're going to give me the training plans/anayalsis/drills of how the other team are directly looking to set up against me and approach the game, well you've just made my job a while lot easier and ensured I put even more points on the board.

You have to stop thinking like a Southampton/Tonda fan and see it for what it is.

If it was a one of, then sure the whole situation is more forgiving. If it comes out as being multiple occurrences than that shows a systematic reliance on needing information that the opposition didn't have to succeed.

If I was the manager (if it was multiple occasions) I would have questioned how the data/footage came about.

Especially if Tonda is looking at direct footage of the training sessions, that's pretty damning on his part because he didn't shut it down.

& Don't be naive about camera phones, this isn't the Motorola or Nokia era we're living in, you can literally buy high end spec video phones with ultra high motion capture specs on them these days.

16 May 2026 13:09:07
You're walking a tight rope Southants and asking for a fall by calling Tonda a tactical genius whilst all this spying stuff is still in the evidence collecting/trial stages. Go and ask the wider footballing community whether they think Tonda is a tactical genius currently ?

You literally said "In-depth anayalsis that the players are in awe of", almost like Tonda knew something that others didn't, funny that.

Like I say I want Tonda to succeed but you have to be careful and you have to be logical, because the fall you're setting yourself up for, you can guarantee I will be there when you do ??

Have to stay on point too, my none acceptance of the Tonda genius claims aka the Messiah your making him into (even though you said you aren't, that's what a Messiah is, building someone up), is something I've been holding to for a long time, before this spying stuff. I've repeatedly said I won't/cannot judge Tonda/credit his success this season (entirely to him) when this team is predominantly Will Stills. That's a valid point wether you like it or not. Now next season when players come and go, when he's directly responsible for the team built going forward and presented for the season ahead, then yes that is when I will start to judge him and if the results are the same as they are now then I'll gladly put my hand up.

None promotion means we should at least be able to replicate what we have done this year in the championship next year and if we are in the premiership then our run in the FA cup and superior team (and manager by your own words) means we should at least comfortably avoid relegation.

Anything less and you have to accept that my points of Will Stills recruitment and the spying were factors in Tonda's success.

I have listened to the saints players talk about Tonda, many times, and they ultimately say the same thing - that he's obsessively focused and spends time away from the players, focusing on the details. Now yes that could mean he's this tactical, obsessive genius and I'm all for that, but with this spying stuff coming to light and reports of it on multiple occurrences, it could mean he knows he's dealing with shady information and working behind the scenes with one or two closed circuit staff members to gain the results they have illegally.

Unlike you I don't have tunnel vision, I see things from both sides. I want Tonda to be the man we all hope he is but I also want nothing to do with victory under such circumstances (if true). Southampton FC is the only true allegiance I have, managers/players come and go and their impact leaves us like a ragdoll being thrown up and down the leagues. My arguments and points on here are always about stability around the club and hoping that when success comes, that it is sustained. You may want promotion and wins at any cost but if it is down to Tonda's systematic cheating then inevitably that same success is going to crumble.

13 May 2026 10:58:23
As amazing as last night was, I fear dark clouds are brewing over St Mary's.

The allegations against our club were initially brushed off as trivial by the majority but are now building up to deeply concerning.

Of course, the case against us must be proved but the evidence threshold is on the balance of probability. In other words, is it more likely than not that we had deployed someone to 'spy' on their training ground.

If proven, I believe they will make an example of us to the rest of the watching football world. I think that would be a serious points deduction for next season which will if promoted, effectively relegate us before a ball is kicked.

But beyond that, if the case is proven, the club has betrayed the community and legions of Saints fans, and damaged the reputation of our club.

Whilst we all have our light hearted disagreements on this forum, I strongly believe we all share a common sense of values, which excludes 'cheating'.

I hope the evidence is flimsy but the signs aren't looking good.

13 May 2026 12:26:40
I agree Miller. I want Tonda to be the man he supposedly is and some people on here think he is and as I say when/if that day comes I'll gladly eat my words.

However I also don't want manager/staff that goes about things in such ways and brings scandals to the club. It all reminds me too much of the days when Bruce Grobbaler use to take bribes to fix matches, you lose that sense of achievement and wonder.

If Tonda is the man and the accusations are more fabricated than we can continue as is.

Going up and being in the Premiership is the Pinnacle and where we want/should be, but if we're not competing there, what's the point.

My concern is that we went up with RM and ended up having disastrous season, almost the worst in history.

Now if the claims with Tonda are true then like you say we not only either get banished from playoffs or we go up with a point deduction.

On top of that have a manager who were not sure if was winning because of his ability or tactics he got from observing the opposition training.

At the moment it all feels too much like we got that Biff guy from back to the future as a manager who has that sports almanac book with all the results in.

13 May 2026 12:32:33
Further to my post above, I can't see this being resolved before the play off final.

If we don't beat Hull, then it's more straightforward for a Panel to decide. If we beat them, then it becomes harder to reach an outcome which will appease all those who are scenting blood.

13 May 2026 18:51:27
Presumably it was Will Still that was responsible for sending the spy (seen as he gets all credit)

Even his brother Ed Still has been sacked at Watford . The poor bloke is already sick of hearing his name in every Barbers

13 May 2026 18:52:43
Good post Miller, I think it's very poor form on our part. But in the days of drones and auditors, it was essentially a guy on a public path.

But I do get your point 100% and agree

I just don't think it's anymore than a fine kind of level

13 May 2026 21:37:33
Let's just remember we beat Fulham, Arsenal and took city pretty far. They all (if I'm not mistaken) have closed training grounds which could not be "scouted". So the team and Tonda should still get some credit for that. If we actually sent someone, then we should be removed from the competition.

However, they caught him before he "got anything" so borough shouldn't take our place. I don't think Tonda is as involved as is being made out, which is why he is so angry. But what the kid was doing up there isn't good.

14 May 2026 12:55:30
Did Saints spy on the Pompey team players for a full hour during one of their training sessions in the Froddington Arms Fratton??

13 May 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 36 - Quick Round Up

13 May 2026 05:58:59
Feel for the Boro fans and players but happy we held our nerve.

Any guesses on what the punishment will be?

12 May 2026 23:33:35
Lssleeeeeeeeeee,
I want to say a big thank you for sneaking Still into the stadium and him giving the team talk.
Without him I think we would have lost.
This new manager doesn't have a clue
As for suggesting the new manager is only successful because of ????️ ing
I agree
To think he was a tactical genius before he joined us. a Mr Still School of Excellence

Great result. only one team wanted to win the game from about the 60th minute.
And we did!!

13 May 2026 12:15:15
You're talking nonsense South hants.

I had valid points that I mentioned BEFORE spygate and since that has come to light it give more credibility to my points, not less.

Like I say I hope I'm wrong and I will gladly eat my words, but now more than ever it's looking next season is where we judge Tonda from.

Where I'm sure if Spying was a thing it will be closely monitored so it's not anymore and if it was never really a thing there's still the observation of how Tonda leads us into a new season with players/team they he has built brought in/replaced.

The fact that you are calling him a tactical genius after barely a season, particularly with this spying claims/evidence out there shows your not think straight.

I'm loving and grateful for what we're achieving this year.the difference is though I look further down the road at potentially what's coming.

13 May 2026 20:01:25
How has spate somehow validated your opinions. The opinions that can't be proven as your beloved WS and RM are no longer with us

13 May 2026 20:35:02
Because there's evidence to suggest this wasn't a one off situation, you understand the ramifications of that right?

It means, if proven, this 'tactical genuis' tactics are sending people to observe the oppositions set up for each coming match.

I was Tonda to be the real deal, like I say I'll happily eat my words, it's just disconcerting that nothing has come out to separate him from it, yet.

RM was never my beloved, I stuck with him because I knew the incompetence of our board, which was proven by the hiring of Juric to replace RM.

No one here seemed to think we could get anyone worse than RM, yet that's exactly what we got.

As for Will Still, sure I love the guy a little for what he done for us.which was put together a quality championship/Premiership team following that disastrous relegation season.

It's a team Tonda has been benefiting from and that's been my point regarding him.

13 May 2026 21:23:44
No one said Tonda is the real deal . What you can't get into your head is he has a much improved points to game ratio, it's a results business . Perhaps you need to know how that works

None of any of this has anything to do with spygate and yet you spout off about this proves your point. Juric was no better and no worse than RM

Ask any Rangers fan if they would take him back or have a shot with Juric, if those were the only options.

13 May 2026 21:24:55
I've not seen any "evidence" it's not a one off

14 May 2026 08:52:10
SaintGGG
I sympathise with your frustration re Lesleeee
Nothing they post makes any sense whatsoever I propose no one replies to his rants. rants of a madman or woman!

14 May 2026 11:07:30
Hahaha very true. definitely in the wind up.

14 May 2026 11:37:25
Time will tell Southhants, I'll gladly put my hands up.

There's a chance I'm right about Tonda (I don't want to be) but then you and others who call me mad and rambling would have to put your hand up and own it.though I'm sure it will be quiet and tumbleweeds if that day comes.

Juric was Diabolical, he accumulated worse points than RM.

So if it very much did get worse to which Guernsey (who isn't around anymore or gone quiet) famously said to me RM needed to go as it "Couldn't possibly get any worse"

My only thing with RM was to keep him until they lined up the right replacement. We got extremely lucky with Tonda, if he is the man he's seeming to be.

Like I say I won't make that judgement until next season and I think even the neutrals would agree with me on that one. A fresh season away from all this spying stuff and to see what players we sell/he brings in and wether we can do it again.

Thats a fair assessment i'd say. Not madness in the slightest.

12 May 2026 23:30:20
Let's just enjoy the moment eh!

These occasions don't come around too often so forget all the spy gate crap and revel in the moment

12 May 2026 21:57:29
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 36 - Quick Round Up

12 May 2026 16:39:30
Looks like I might have called it.

Apparently there is suspicion several other championship teams we've played have had their training observed by us.

Man, I hate being right.

This is why I was saying about Tonda and how it wasn't his team and was getting massive uncanny success with something that was Will Stills.

It didn't add up to me that so much improvement could happen from so little change, especially with such a young inexperienced manager.

Again, I'm not saying all the accusations are entirely true, but them again they might only be the tio of the iceberg.

Either way, hopefully we pay the fine and he learns from this. Use the experience of what observing other teams works for him and try to find a legal/legitimate way of doing it.

Ultimately we get to judge him next season if he's still here, which is what I said we should have been doing all along anyway.

Apparently, I'm the crazy one though ??

12 May 2026 17:20:30
Really got a bad feeling here. It seems highly unlikely that the Boro spying was a one off, and scrutinising whatsapp, text and emails will establish whether this has been going on all season. If so, I think Saints will be expelled from the playoffs rather than fined. If the intern in question shows up on any other clubs training ground camera footage the game is up, and Tonda will go.

And to complete the gloom, I think Boro are so fired up, and Saints distracted, that we will lose tonight. Sorry for the gloom, hope i'm wrong and consigned to the clowns corner!

12 May 2026 18:17:07
Not at all Exter, it's valid points and what a forums for.

I'm all about balance and perspective, I'm both a half full/half empty cup guy lol.

The realist in me sees it the same way you do i.e.I can't see it being a one off, it explains a lot and fits together a lot of the missing jigsaw puzzles as to fire Tonda has being blowing apart the league.

It gives a dark/sinister feel to Tonda receiving 3 consecutive Manager of the Month awards too.

The optimist in me though hopes that's the extreme side of him and maybe the naivety of being young/from a different football background meant he didn't realize how severe it was. That hell take these lessons and grow.

Either way though, regardless of spygate, Middlesbourgh were the better team on Saturday. They also have aggregate on their side meaning they don't have to worrying about conceeding as much as we do.

All in all I think it's us who are on the ropes and they're going to be up for it with little fear. I mean if you know someone is spying on you that kind of lifts the shroud on the people your playing, revealing them to not be as scary or threatening as you thought they were.

12 May 2026 19:36:05
I agree saints are up against it tonight.I think if Tonda will never have a more important occasion to get both selection and strategy right. And difficult to manage the team who know that even if they win they might be ejected. On reflection of my earlier post, the only mitigating factor against being ejected from the playoffs is that Wrexham would then have a really good shout that they have been denied a playoff berth due to cheating and then EFL get into a whole world of pain legally.

EFL would love Boro to win tonight, saves them a load of pain, the football community are on Boros side as no-one likes cheats to prosper. Saints aren't just playing Boro tonight, they are up against everyone. Tough ask

12 May 2026 19:43:04
By the way, it's not away goals counting double.

12 May 2026 19:45:26
The EFL only has the authority to fine. do some googling instead of spreading this ball sh*t anti manager rhetoric.
He is a tactical expert who's background is exactly that

12 May 2026 07:39:02
{Ed's Note - MCR has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool, Brighton and the Third-Man Run Problem

12 May 2026 18:19:32
Spy gate is BS everyone does it, always have.

11 May 2026 19:46:24
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Chelsea - A Not So Quick Liverpool Perspective