Saint86

That was basically an admission that everyone does it... to be Pompey manager and not put the boot in over that question is actually quite staggering.

Yup, £4M for Saints. Would be a good addition up front.

I still think he'll get anything from a fine with suspended ban, to a 3-6 week touchline ban. What he did was less impactful than Bielsa (spying on all teams throughout a season vs 3 teams and failing to win any of those games) and there is no evidence of personal bullying by Eckert (that we are aware of) for the FA to make that charge stick. People can say there is now an EFL rule all they want, but the EFL don't get to sanction Eckert, and there is no FA rule about spying - the challenge for the FA is to show that Eckert's behavior was notably worse than Bielsa's - and without evidence of Eckert bullying staff, and the fact that Bielsa's spying was far more widespread, that's going to be very difficult for them. As a result, if they go to hard then we will appeal and potentially take them to court.

Couldn't see a thread on this - bit of fun ahead of the new season. Expectations for relegated sides: West Ham - Autos Wolves - Playoffs Burnley - Playoffs Established championship teams to watch (i.e., for promotion/playoff charge): Southampton, Norwich, Middlesbrough. Promotion picks: West Ham, Southampton, Norwich Relegation Contenders: Blackburn, Portsmouth, Bolton, Lincoln, Charlton Relegation picks: Blackburn, Portsmouth, Bolton. Top scorer (1 pick): Vipotnik Most goal involvements (goals/assists): Bowen Eckert ban decision sweepstake: Thursday 13th August Saints hot take : Peretz to average under 1.0 goals against per game. *all southampton predictions assuming we keep Eckert.

AA as a central striker vs AA as a right winger playing off a big man though. He was essentially championship player of the season under Martin when he played on the right coming off of Adams - They are very different things. I am purely hypothesizing over his on pitch offering, not any potential issues behind the scenes. Fellows has been very frustrating so far. He's great running at players, has a very good engine, but his end product isn't enough. AA had 36 goal involvements playing largely on the right under Martin. Fellows managed 6 last season. I know people can be revisionist over players that leave, but thats a 30goal difference per season 🤷‍♂️

Don't disagree with this overly. Its a pretty tasty side. Begs the question, should we have kept (/ would we be better with) AA on the right and not signing Fellows... for me, probably a yes - would have added some serious threat down our right side.

In fairness to Martin, i don't think Tonda has a worse squad. Azaz, scienza, fellows, Jander/downes and an older charles - Larin as CF (over a non existent stewart)... Peretz in goal? And older Wood, and older THB, and older Manning... In many ways, i'd argue that Tonda/Spors have built/coached a better squad. KWP and peak arma probably the two standouts from that Martin side.

Perhaps, but you seem overly negative this summer - I wouldn't be so quick to rule out any big signings. I.e., last year we took azaz and fellows (key players) from established championship clubs... We will likely be selling Charles for £25M+, potentially losing some of THB, Scienza, or Jander for big money, and almost certainly seeing the backs of the likes of BBD, Archer, Ramsdale, Bazunu etc. we've also had the Fernandes money come in, as well as seeing the likes of macca and aribo off the wage bill 🤷.

Haven't seen that. If he is for sale then we should be all over it 🤷

They are putting together a decent side under the radar. J.Opoku in particular could be a star in the championship. If it clicks for them, they'll be fighting for playoffs this year.

A week to go before first potential use of the away shirt... Where is it saints? 🤣😂

That is my working assumption.

Think we're in this weird limbo currently where we wait for the decisions, and where the space is being dominated between the defend at all cost 'just a slap on the wrist' brigade, and the group that wanted him sacked immediately and delight in telling everyone that they'll throw the book at him. Somewhere in the middle are the realists, who I would assume are expecting something between a 3-6 game touchline ban and a fine. Ultimately everyone is guessing. The EFL punishment was already a multi season sanction and was clearly ludicrous. Kicking us out of the playoffs alone is one thing, but then to extend it to a points deduction for the next season was laughable - that's in effect trying to prevent the club being promoted over 2 seasons for a minor offence. If the FA then consider it's their remit to discipline the manager (and club) further by over riding our own internal disciplinary process, they are essentially ruining Southampton football club for 2 seasons 🤷.. which would seem to be an extreme punishment... But then we did receive arguably the biggest sanction in English football already from the EFL - so all bets are off really. And also, if they gave tonda no sanction, they are in effect saying it's a minor offence and make the EFL look ludicrous.

The world of Football is one thing trump cannot get his mitts on - no matter how much he jumps up and down, bribes, or threatens people.

In fairness to MB, I reckon there was a lot of very strong view points flying around behind the scenes back then, and at one point most of the fanbase had turned on Eckert. Credit to the brave few on here that stood up for him and started to turn the tide I say 😌