Dman

yep. There is no way we've sanctioned anyone to break into a training ground. If it was true that thye have evidence (not sure I beleive it), Pompey would defo be one i'd think that we might have spied on. There training ground is less secure than Boro's

I wouldn't beleive any of this nonsense tbh. Unless the independent investigator is blabbering (unlikley), its all PR being pushed by them.

Too late for that. He had his chance and he went blabbering to the press, which would make us paying it off unfeasible at this stage. If he'd rang up saints saying I've caught you doing this - I want x for this to not go to the EFL, we might have played ball.

Did Scienza get injured?

This, for me, is a huge mitigation. Sneaking in to a private area and hiding in bushes is one thing and would rightly deserve an incredibly harsh punishment. Standing behind a publically accessible fence and peeping over is much, much less serious.

It makes it even more fucking annoying / stupid / braindead that we got caught ffs. Just carry a golf bag on you, you absolute clown.

100% all a show to get attention / whip up pressure on the EFL.

On his way to Hull

I had orginally thought that we were probably doing this all the time, but I'm starting to think, someone has let on how unsecure and stupid their secuirty is and we've had a bit of a sneaky oportunitic go at gaining an advantage. Its cheating by the definition, but so is diving, timewasting etc. Storm in a tea cup drummed up by a desperate Boro side who knew they didn't have what it takes to beat us on the pitch.

That to me looks like it is 100% part of the golf course / hotel, which would probably be considered pubically accessible land. Not quite the stakeout the media fed, is it.

This is what I don't get or understand from any of this, why do they seemingly think that they can dictate the punishment (or if it happens). How much would we owe them? the revenue generated from the play-off final? Its not like we've done this in a 200m shoot out game, they'd still have to beat Hull (which if last night was anything to go by, they'd be dead on their feet by the time the game started). If this has happened and he has approached saints, I hope we take the fuckers to the cleaners.

There seems to be a real split of opinon. Anyone who's played the game (and has no assoiation to that club), thinks its all a bit of a joke and don't seem too bothered. Jurnos who are based in the north east are seemingly losing their heads. A moment for them to get 5 mins of fame I suppose.

Up there with being as soft as Steve Mcclaren when he had the brolly. Figure head of the club, crying in a press confrence because they lost hahaha

Obviously we don't know what was said, but I think he'll almost certainly get a ban

Hellbergs wasn't though. He specifically said "they sent someone up" Unproven at this stage and a dangerous comment to make during an investigation.

I don't get the love in for Hellberg. They were second (1 point behind Cov) in Feb, they finished 5th behind a side who were 15th give or take at the same time. Apart from the first half at their place - where adrenaline carried them, and 10 mins down here, I though they looked really poor across both legs and very unfit. Unless they're willing to spend big to have a squad big enough to rotate (as we have done to be fair), I don't think his system is sustainable across a season in the championship.

100% agree... Their own manager essentially said it pubically as well.

You've got to be joking. El Chapo can't even afford to pay security, let alone breach FFP. If he spent less time fighting silly legal battles, they might have not been a mid table championship side for how ever many years.

The last sentance has got the jucies flowing. I'd love it if we put in a counter claim against them for not acting in upmost good faith and trying to unsettle us.

At what point does kicking us out become even more unfeasible. Along side us selling tickets, they'd need to work through refunding, there is then another arguement from Hull in that they only had X days to prepare to play Boro.

hahahahaha I fear for a few up in the north east today. I suspect a few blood pressures will be risen to dangerous levels.

I would imagine that is the defence. I dont believe it personally, but provinig it is the thing here.

Exactly. EFL: "We want to see your (who are they defining as your in this case) text messages, emails and bankstatements" Saints: "we had no idea about it. What do you specifically want to see? Here are all of our emails to said person(s) between x dates" whilst deleting any text / emails that might implicate. EFL: "oh there's nothing there" Saints: "yes we told you that" The idea that they're going to send in some hit squad to knock the doors off of St Mary's and seize electionics and forensically investigate them is comical.

Exactly how I see it. All talk of us being booted is so that it benefits Boro more so than a punishment to us.

I think there is an arguement that if we get kicked out, they should have been entiltled to a crack.