| On Reflection About Spygate 11:05 - May 10 with 2941 views | Southamptonfan |
Football is corrupt - Players rolling around pretending to be injured, teams taking a long time for throw ins and subs to waste time, managers making out that players are injured in press conferences when they arn't, players pretending they have a head injury in the last minute of a game when a cross comes in, clubs reducing the away allocation to give them an advantage, bias refs, VAR which helps the top teams, and not to mention Man City and the top clubs getting away with so much. This sort of thing probably goes on all the time. Saints were just stupid enough to get caught.
Hugely disappointed with Saints, if as suspected we have done this, but now that the dust has settled a little, we were just trying to fight fire with fire. We are trying to compete with poisonous snakes. If you don't fight back, you get bullied right? [Post edited 10 May 11:07]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:30 - May 10 with 2841 views | 1ASIN12 |
Middlesbrough are still crying bout this now.
They rallied their fans and players up hoping they’ll win the 1st leg.
Now I see one of their local rags on Facebook want the game on Tuesday to be played behind closed doors. Obviously worried about having 30000 saints fans and only 2000 Boro fans.
What if it is and they still don’t win , they’ll probably demand a 3 rd game played at the riverside with no away fans present.
And if they fail with that demand us be kicked out the competition.
It’s really unbelievable stuff from them.
No amount of spying would prevent Middlesbrough from wasting the chances they created or no amount of spying will tell our superb back 4 from throwing themselves in front of the ball. | |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:32 - May 10 with 2838 views | Ifonly |
Some of those things aren't cheating e.g. a manager saying a player is injured (usually there's some truth to it but they might still play) or giving the minimum ticket allocation. Nothing wrong with those. Sometimes there's a fuzzy line e.g. taking a long time over a throw in.
But some things are just flat out cheating. Pretending to be hit in the face to get a player sent off, illegal payments and spying on the opposition are all clear cut cheating. If the club ordered the spying (we don't know yet) then it was a major error and we would deserve to be punished in some way. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:44 - May 10 with 2798 views | kingslandstand1 |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:30 - May 10 by 1ASIN12 |
Middlesbrough are still crying bout this now.
They rallied their fans and players up hoping they’ll win the 1st leg.
Now I see one of their local rags on Facebook want the game on Tuesday to be played behind closed doors. Obviously worried about having 30000 saints fans and only 2000 Boro fans.
What if it is and they still don’t win , they’ll probably demand a 3 rd game played at the riverside with no away fans present.
And if they fail with that demand us be kicked out the competition.
It’s really unbelievable stuff from them.
No amount of spying would prevent Middlesbrough from wasting the chances they created or no amount of spying will tell our superb back 4 from throwing themselves in front of the ball. |
This would then go to appeal after appeal etc and no one would win. Take a fine and points reduction next season wherever we are. Let's just stick it out and stuff the northern bar stewards on Tuesday and be the bad guys to all other clubs (we are already if you read the BBC forum comments)
Oh, and whoever instructed this utterly stupid action to be fired (unless it was Tonda of course) |  |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 12:20 - May 10 with 2726 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:32 - May 10 by Ifonly |
Some of those things aren't cheating e.g. a manager saying a player is injured (usually there's some truth to it but they might still play) or giving the minimum ticket allocation. Nothing wrong with those. Sometimes there's a fuzzy line e.g. taking a long time over a throw in.
But some things are just flat out cheating. Pretending to be hit in the face to get a player sent off, illegal payments and spying on the opposition are all clear cut cheating. If the club ordered the spying (we don't know yet) then it was a major error and we would deserve to be punished in some way. |
Yes true, but I hope the punishment fits the crime. I could legally stand outside any training ground, fly a drone over it with specialist sound recording equipment, zoom in and it's legal as far as I am aware. Exactly the same thing that Saints have allegedly done. Just that Saints were stupid enough to send a recogniseable Saints analyst, so inevitably got caught, when the numerous CCTV then matched him to the website.
Man City meanwhile have allegedly broken 120 rules. Hope they get punished too. [Post edited 10 May 12:21]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:01 - May 10 with 2635 views | saint22 |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 11:44 - May 10 by kingslandstand1 |
This would then go to appeal after appeal etc and no one would win. Take a fine and points reduction next season wherever we are. Let's just stick it out and stuff the northern bar stewards on Tuesday and be the bad guys to all other clubs (we are already if you read the BBC forum comments)
Oh, and whoever instructed this utterly stupid action to be fired (unless it was Tonda of course) |
Surely Tonda knew? If all this a true it’s incredibly disappointing at best | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:10 - May 10 with 2622 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:01 - May 10 by saint22 |
Surely Tonda knew? If all this a true it’s incredibly disappointing at best |
It was most likely Tonda who authorised it. He is the one preparing the team and the tactics. He would have known where any tactical information was coming from. But we live in a world where you are either in with the sheep getting bullied, eaten and killed or you join the wolves and be the predator not the prey, if you want success. It's a sign of the huge corruption, money and hiw difficult it is to compete. None.of the top clubs play by the rules. [Post edited 10 May 13:15]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:53 - May 10 with 2521 views | BLEEDRED |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:01 - May 10 by saint22 |
Surely Tonda knew? If all this a true it’s incredibly disappointing at best |
You would have thought that Tonda would have known if he did sanction it
what will the club owners do about it, after all it has dragged the club into the gutter and this will stick with the club for a very long time.
Best outcome the analyst falls on is sword and is banned for life! | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:29 - May 10 with 2455 views | Ifonly |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 13:10 - May 10 by Southamptonfan |
It was most likely Tonda who authorised it. He is the one preparing the team and the tactics. He would have known where any tactical information was coming from. But we live in a world where you are either in with the sheep getting bullied, eaten and killed or you join the wolves and be the predator not the prey, if you want success. It's a sign of the huge corruption, money and hiw difficult it is to compete. None.of the top clubs play by the rules. [Post edited 10 May 13:15]
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You only have to see the genuine outrage from Kim Hellberg to know that Boro don't spy. Either that or he is the greatest actor the world has ever seen, which I somehow doubt. So, we can't claim that everyone's at it and we're only evening up the score.
I don't see the value in winning a game by cheating. I'd rather not win at all. Juventus were stripped of 2 Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B for cheating. If I had been a Juve fan, I'd rather they'd not cheated and finished mid table, whether they'd been caught or not.
Same with Man City. They'll probably get off on a technicality but the reality is they've been cheating. If I were a Man City fan I wouldn't be celebrating and I wouldn't be going to games anymore. Sounds like you wouldn't have a problem with them cheating if you were a Man City fan. It's only because you don't support them that you don't like it. I disagree. Cheating is wrong and I don't want Saints to do it. | | | |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:47 - May 10 with 2403 views | StAnt |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:29 - May 10 by Ifonly |
You only have to see the genuine outrage from Kim Hellberg to know that Boro don't spy. Either that or he is the greatest actor the world has ever seen, which I somehow doubt. So, we can't claim that everyone's at it and we're only evening up the score.
I don't see the value in winning a game by cheating. I'd rather not win at all. Juventus were stripped of 2 Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B for cheating. If I had been a Juve fan, I'd rather they'd not cheated and finished mid table, whether they'd been caught or not.
Same with Man City. They'll probably get off on a technicality but the reality is they've been cheating. If I were a Man City fan I wouldn't be celebrating and I wouldn't be going to games anymore. Sounds like you wouldn't have a problem with them cheating if you were a Man City fan. It's only because you don't support them that you don't like it. I disagree. Cheating is wrong and I don't want Saints to do it. |
So in theory you shouldn't support Saints because we have players who regularly dive which is a massive form of cheating - Leo springs to mind. Cheating is cheating in whatever form. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:48 - May 10 with 2401 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:29 - May 10 by Ifonly |
You only have to see the genuine outrage from Kim Hellberg to know that Boro don't spy. Either that or he is the greatest actor the world has ever seen, which I somehow doubt. So, we can't claim that everyone's at it and we're only evening up the score.
I don't see the value in winning a game by cheating. I'd rather not win at all. Juventus were stripped of 2 Serie A titles and relegated to Serie B for cheating. If I had been a Juve fan, I'd rather they'd not cheated and finished mid table, whether they'd been caught or not.
Same with Man City. They'll probably get off on a technicality but the reality is they've been cheating. If I were a Man City fan I wouldn't be celebrating and I wouldn't be going to games anymore. Sounds like you wouldn't have a problem with them cheating if you were a Man City fan. It's only because you don't support them that you don't like it. I disagree. Cheating is wrong and I don't want Saints to do it. |
I don't like Man City getting away with breaking the rules (because they have rich owners with the best lawyers), whilst other clubs get punished. I don't want Saints to be cheating, but what would you say about the player in an opposition team, constantly fouling, bullying one of young players, when the ref isn't looking (in the championship with no VAR)? I know I would be willing a player like Downes to do a sneaky elbow back, and fight fire with fire. This sort of thing, potentially cheating goes on all the time and you have to "cheat" back. Leo dives a lot, but so are some of the opposition. The opposition are doing it, so you have to do it back. [Post edited 10 May 14:51]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:54 - May 10 with 2373 views | Ifonly |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:47 - May 10 by StAnt |
So in theory you shouldn't support Saints because we have players who regularly dive which is a massive form of cheating - Leo springs to mind. Cheating is cheating in whatever form. |
Wrong. I don't like players who dive. Never have, never will. But one player's actions - among other good things that he does - is not enough for me to stop supporting the club. I'm against it but it's relatively minor. Large scale, systematic cheating by the club would be different. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:02 - May 10 with 2354 views | Ifonly |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 14:48 - May 10 by Southamptonfan |
I don't like Man City getting away with breaking the rules (because they have rich owners with the best lawyers), whilst other clubs get punished. I don't want Saints to be cheating, but what would you say about the player in an opposition team, constantly fouling, bullying one of young players, when the ref isn't looking (in the championship with no VAR)? I know I would be willing a player like Downes to do a sneaky elbow back, and fight fire with fire. This sort of thing, potentially cheating goes on all the time and you have to "cheat" back. Leo dives a lot, but so are some of the opposition. The opposition are doing it, so you have to do it back. [Post edited 10 May 14:51]
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You're talking about revenge and getting even, which is understandable and a human reaction. Probably silly to do, but understandable.
In the case of spying, we have no evidence that anyone else is doing it and I'd say some strong evidence that Boro don't. So there's no argument that we're just getting even. In your example, we're the dirty player in the opposition team that started it. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:12 - May 10 with 2320 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:02 - May 10 by Ifonly |
You're talking about revenge and getting even, which is understandable and a human reaction. Probably silly to do, but understandable.
In the case of spying, we have no evidence that anyone else is doing it and I'd say some strong evidence that Boro don't. So there's no argument that we're just getting even. In your example, we're the dirty player in the opposition team that started it. |
I understand that point, but imagine Saints need to win to stay up or go up or win a vital game. We know that one of their best players shrinks or doesn't like it when he gets "roughed up"? Should we "rough him up" first off camera (something that isn't within the rules and technically cheating and isn't revenge)? Or just play fair and let their best player excel.
Would you mind if we are one nil up, 2 minutes to go and one of our players goes over holding his head (pretending to have a head injury) to stop their attack? Would you say that's cheating we should have just let them attack and score, not go down holding his head?Because no doubt the opposition would do it. [Post edited 10 May 15:20]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:23 - May 10 with 2263 views | kingslandstand1 |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:02 - May 10 by Ifonly |
You're talking about revenge and getting even, which is understandable and a human reaction. Probably silly to do, but understandable.
In the case of spying, we have no evidence that anyone else is doing it and I'd say some strong evidence that Boro don't. So there's no argument that we're just getting even. In your example, we're the dirty player in the opposition team that started it. |
There are probably dark arts of some kind ongoing at most clubs or call it cheating (or gamesmanship?), but what we've (allegedly) done is blatant cheating and against the rules and no one can condone that whether for revenge or just chancing it
Tonda I believe is an analyst and looks closely at the way the opposition play which so far has been to our benefit this session. But if he was aware of what was happening, has done this before and got away with it?This then that puts a completely different perspective on the whole season
I really hope this is mountains and molehills, but I think I'd rather have an outcome where we're playing crap and getting 12 points in a season rather than this accusation be well and truly found to be true
As you say, getting revenge is one thing, but spying covertly is a different ball game | |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:26 - May 10 with 2259 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:23 - May 10 by kingslandstand1 |
There are probably dark arts of some kind ongoing at most clubs or call it cheating (or gamesmanship?), but what we've (allegedly) done is blatant cheating and against the rules and no one can condone that whether for revenge or just chancing it
Tonda I believe is an analyst and looks closely at the way the opposition play which so far has been to our benefit this session. But if he was aware of what was happening, has done this before and got away with it?This then that puts a completely different perspective on the whole season
I really hope this is mountains and molehills, but I think I'd rather have an outcome where we're playing crap and getting 12 points in a season rather than this accusation be well and truly found to be true
As you say, getting revenge is one thing, but spying covertly is a different ball game |
The most unbelievable thing is that we sent a known Saints member of staff. If anyone was to rob a bank, would we walk in to a place full of cameras, showing our face with our address on the back of our shirts? That bit I really can't understand. [Post edited 10 May 15:28]
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:33 - May 10 with 2229 views | Ifonly |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:12 - May 10 by Southamptonfan |
I understand that point, but imagine Saints need to win to stay up or go up or win a vital game. We know that one of their best players shrinks or doesn't like it when he gets "roughed up"? Should we "rough him up" first off camera (something that isn't within the rules and technically cheating and isn't revenge)? Or just play fair and let their best player excel.
Would you mind if we are one nil up, 2 minutes to go and one of our players goes over holding his head (pretending to have a head injury) to stop their attack? Would you say that's cheating we should have just let them attack and score, not go down holding his head?Because no doubt the opposition would do it. [Post edited 10 May 15:20]
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Depends what roughing up means. If there's some fancy Spanish midfielder who doesn't think he should be touched then I'd be all for putting in some physical challenges and letting him know he won't have it all his own way. I'd be against trying to injure him or any off the ball stuff.
I'd be against pretending a head injury, or pretending anything. If they are about to score and you try and fall over holding your head, then the ref is not going to notice until the ball is in the net. If you pretend when you are just under pressure, the ref will stop the game, get you off the pitch and you will be defending one man down until the ref decides that you've suffered enough for trying to take the piss. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:37 - May 10 with 2213 views | Southamptonfan |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 15:33 - May 10 by Ifonly |
Depends what roughing up means. If there's some fancy Spanish midfielder who doesn't think he should be touched then I'd be all for putting in some physical challenges and letting him know he won't have it all his own way. I'd be against trying to injure him or any off the ball stuff.
I'd be against pretending a head injury, or pretending anything. If they are about to score and you try and fall over holding your head, then the ref is not going to notice until the ball is in the net. If you pretend when you are just under pressure, the ref will stop the game, get you off the pitch and you will be defending one man down until the ref decides that you've suffered enough for trying to take the piss. |
Many times i have seen the opposition going down holding their heads, when we are about to cross it into.the box and they were fine. Some managers have come in and said we are too nice because they were doing it and we wern't. Tonda has brought in the dark arts with advertising boards, a much more aggressive team and now some.spying by the looks of it. | |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 17:57 - May 10 with 2042 views | sledger |
whether we did or didn't find out anything it obviously didn't work because that first half was our poorest for ages. | | | |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 20:33 - May 10 with 1843 views | kingslandstand1 |
I've just seen this in the Echo comments forum. Not sure how true or if it's a straw clutching item (and he said an open training session), but they must all be at it. We just happened to be caught
"Let me be honest lads. When Southampton had a open live training session on the 30th of march 2026, there was a arsenal analyst who bought a VIP Southampton ticket who pretended to be a Southampton supporter who started to live record the training session and he sent it back to arteta before the fa cup game. Arsenal need to face justice and relegate them to league 2 for doing that. Disgraceful." | |
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| On Reflection About Spygate on 22:18 - May 10 with 1713 views | Ifonly |
| On Reflection About Spygate on 20:33 - May 10 by kingslandstand1 |
I've just seen this in the Echo comments forum. Not sure how true or if it's a straw clutching item (and he said an open training session), but they must all be at it. We just happened to be caught
"Let me be honest lads. When Southampton had a open live training session on the 30th of march 2026, there was a arsenal analyst who bought a VIP Southampton ticket who pretended to be a Southampton supporter who started to live record the training session and he sent it back to arteta before the fa cup game. Arsenal need to face justice and relegate them to league 2 for doing that. Disgraceful." |
It's a load of bollox. The open training session was on 25/3 and the match on 4/4. The regulations only prevent the opposition from watching within 72 hours of the game, so watching a session on 25/3 isn't illegal anyway, even if it was closed and supposedly secret. But this was an open session FFS. Open session means anyone can come. | | | |
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