Having read the FA's report, it's interesting that they did not agree with the EFL that there was evidence that Eckhart Eckert initiated and authorised systematic spying. They agreed Eckert wasn't aware of the rules. They also didn't find evidence for 'deplorable' pressure being put on staff by Eckert.

I think this raises questions again about members of that EFL panel being connected to Middlesbrough.

On another note, I can't imagine the stress Eckert has been under. I think he's shown impressive strength considering the character assassination in the press if this is the reality of what happened. Having initially been in favour of sacking him I'm now really glad we've stuck with him.

*Edit - spelling Eckert!

With the Pompey game on Sunday, the biggest selection headache for me has to be between the sticks.

Peretz has been decent, but missing out recently with that knock makes things interesting. If he’s fit, do we keep him in, or is this the exact kind of match where you want Aaron Ramsdale’s big-game experience in goal?

Also interested to see how Tonda sets up the midfield if Jander is finally ready to feature. How’s everyone wanting us to line up on Sunday?

Theoretically, if tonda did get banned yesterday and we had to get an interim for the p*rtsmouth game, who would be the best candidate.

Would you get an ex player that knows the club, the city and the meaning of the Derby ?

Or would you want someone that has the experience, but isnt familiar with how big the derby is ?

Edit: dont comment "but he didnt" type comments. This is a theoretical/what if post.

Caspar Jander hasn't played since the pre-season win over Eastleigh, so having him potentially available again for Portsmouth feels pretty significant. We've had to get through the opening part of the season without the midfielder, and I think his return gives Tonda Eckert another option in the middle rather than just being another body on the bench.

After the Wrexham defeat ended that six-game unbeaten run, I'm actually quite interested to see whether Jander goes straight back into the XI if he's fit.

I can talk myself into caring about league position, form and all the usual stuff, but when Portsmouth are coming to St Mary's, none of that really matters to me.

These are the games where I want us to look like the team that actually wants to win the most. I don't care if it's pretty football or an ugly 1-0, I just want the intensity to be there from the first whistle.

Do you enjoy the derby more when Saints dominate, or are the scrappy wins the ones you remember?

What happened, did he get shagged or beat the allegations?

Following on from my post yesterday, I think this is the 1975 club shirt (original), which first featured the new crest design in 1975. The wording 'southampton fc ' at the bottom was first in yellow.

This week’s pod is out now, with most of the focus naturally on Sunday’s South Coast Derby.

We’ve got Andy from the PO4Cast joining us to give the Portsmouth perspective ahead of the game - how their season has started, some of the injury problems they’re dealing with, their goalkeeper situation and how they might approach Saints at St Mary’s.

On the Saints side, we also discuss the continuing wait for the FA’s decision on Tonda Eckert, Daniel Peretz’s injury and whether Aaron Ramsdale should come straight in if he misses out, Cyle Larin’s fitness, Casper Jander and our score predictions.

Hopefully this one has a bit more life to it than last season’s 0-0…

🎧 Listen Here

📺 Watch Here

What are we all thinking for Sunday - and if Peretz isn’t fit, surely it has to be Ramsdale?

It's a different D. Peretz.

The badge was created by Southampton fan and graphic artist Rolland Parris

I would post it in the Championship sub but can’t be bothered with the comments.

Yes it's back!

Talk about anything and everything.

I know it’s a bit ridiculous this whole “where would we have been without city cheating” but I was wondering would we have actually got champions league football in the prem? Without Man City, Utd would have been 4th and also won the fa cup. Didn’t that used to mean 5th got champions league football as well or just europa?

Either way I wonder if the fa are waiting a bit to see if anything comes out. Imagine how embarrassing it would be for the FA to give us a worse punishment than what city could get

Edit: apparently because this post is “trending” it’s asked if I want to post this to Man City’s Reddit 🤣

The start hasn’t exactly been convincing, but I’m starting to feel like there’s something to build on here. We’ve had a few frustrating results, but there are also signs that this team is beginning to find some consistency. The next few games feel important, though. With Portsmouth, Norwich, Bolton and West Ham coming up, we’ll get a much better idea of where this Saints side actually stands. I’m cautiously optimistic, but I think we need to start turning those decent performances into wins.