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25 May 2026 13:06:03
Hi Guys, this is my first post, so please bear with me.
I have been reading your posts for many years as an ardent saints fan, particularly the banter from Miller and Leslee.
After the last few weeks I was forced to comment. I thought I was the only fan that wants Tonda to stay as manager, I totally agree with SHRich's post, of course he should not have sent anyone to spy on teams training, this was stupid and I doubt we gained much from it.
Having watched saints for over 60 years this is som of the best football we have played. Especially after watching the dire performances from the previous 5 years.
Tonda appears to be meticulous in his approach to the point of obsession. If he has learnt his lesson then for keep him on. Although I doubt it will happen.
1.) 25 May 2026 15:14:43
Thank you Chopper, is that from the days of chopper bikes? I had the ultra violet one!
Anyway, same here, 60 years, first standings on a stool in the chocolate box. so we are long term fans who care. We've seen some good times and a lot of bad. For me the bad has been our playing style.
A succession of managers playing safe football, predictable football I remember us needing to win games and playing one up front and 5 across the back. Puel infamously substituting a striker for a defender when 1-0 down!
While one among us feels the cheating contributed hugely to our wins and playing style?? I completely disagree.
He had the players believing in themselves, feeling positive, we have been attacking in numbers with multiple outlets in and around the box.
None of this is his cheating! He is obsessed with winning! As Poch said, it's nothing and everywhere in the world it's the norm. including the Premier League!!
I watched the team that came second in the old division 1, keegan, Channon et al
But even that team did not play the fast fluid football we have been playing. I do a very stressful job at the NHS and this team has been huge for my mental health.
From wondering where the next goal was coming from to knowing we weee going to score. Not a single weak link in the team, quite the reverse, superb game changing subs.
Ps I don't care that Still chose some of the new players, it's Tonda that has brought them on!
Come on you saints!!
2.) 25 May 2026 17:18:20
As passionate as that it is Southhants, you're not applying any logic to it.
All those great performances aren't anything if they were all based on knowing the setup of the opposition.
It's like playing a game of hide and seek with a group of people but the person looking has hints where everyone is. That person finding everyone really quickly doesn't mean he had a great game, it's because he had hints.
Having people believe in themselves based on lies, isn't having them truly believe in themselves. Tonda was just knowing how the opposition was setting out without the players knowing, so when his tactics miraculously worked out, that becomes positive reinforcement for the players
They really weren't game changes subs, they were like for like and pretty much identical each week ie. If Jander started Shea would eventually come on for him and vice versa. Same with Larin and Stewart and Manning or Wellington.
I'm not completely throwing Tonda under bus. However all season I've been saying Tonda needs to be judged next season. You can only credit Tondas success, the way you passionately are, if he's able recreate it next year.
If he can't (depending if he still here)
3.) 25 May 2026 17:30:36
Hi SHR, the nickname came from my rugby playing days!
Like you I started supporting as a young lad at the dell, Terry Paine days, boy could he cross a ball.
I was also one of the few that was not sure if I wanted promotion this season ( it's no fun getting thrashed every week ) but that changed after Tonda took over.
I could actually see us holding our own in the Premier League.
I do feel a bit sore for the Hull fans next season as they a going to struggle, can't see them spending 100 million to strengthen that team.
{Ed014's Note - I used to go to the Dell with my dad when I was a kid, Jimmy Gabriel, Eric Martin, big John McGrath, Terry Paine, Mick Channon, Ron Davies etc.
4.) 25 May 2026 19:41:33
Welcome to the party Chopper. Your first post has opened the nostalgia flood gates.
My first proper girlfriend was John Sydenham's daughter and I used to play knock about with him in his back garden!
I played for Hampshire Colleges with Steve Moran and became friends with Stevie Williams (now he could strut!).
Keegan and Channon up front - unbelievable!
Total respect for you South Hants Rich - I will never have a bad word said about the NHS following the treatment for my wife who had a serious health scare. They were brilliant.
Leslee - maybe the heat has got to me but I absolutely acknowledge your passion - it's just your refusal to give an inch which makes it difficult to reason with you. And I was once a hostage negotiator!
And as for the World Cup - Stewart and Adams up front for Scotland - the names ring a bell!!
5.) 25 May 2026 20:19:53
Many thanks Miller, sounds like you got closer to the team than I did! I do worry that with so many older fans posting we might scare off the younger ones.
Now Lesleee I can't get a handle on your age, are you one of the younger supporters or one of the old codgers?
6.) 25 May 2026 21:20:37
I think one thing we should all agree on is a way of playing exciting football, scoring from all angles positions
Playing without fear
Playing with belief
Tonda stay and continue our unbeaten run
7.) 25 May 2026 21:24:06
Middle age - 42.
First game was when I was 10 against Leeds United at The Dell.
I remember not believing how tall Carlton Palmer was in person.
I can be intolerant/stubborn Miller (People often tell me ?) with regards on here though it's largely the fickleness/nature of fans (that were all guilty of) that I tend to fight against.
I've been called mad for thinking fans have a impact on the club. I think they do, especially in hard times. But that's also when anger and illogical thinking are usually they're worst.
I detest the rash/simple thinking mentality towards things, but agree I should rein it in at times.
8.) 25 May 2026 21:37:50
Without turning this into a therapy forum, I can say that there are few things which drive raw emotion more than football. In a previous life I have ejected solicitors, teachers and no end of other 'professionals' from football stadia because of their behaviour.
And guess what, I can be equally emotive when it comes to 'terrace mentality'.
That's what makes the game what it is - but in our small world - can we really back Tonda? I don't think so.
9.) 26 May 2026 03:32:24
Thanks for the age feedback Leslee, it would be a boring world if we all agreed on everything! At the end of the day we are all ardent Saints supporters. My concern is this, we are going to lose our manager ( banned or sacked ) we are going to lose most of our best players, we have a 4 points deduction and a lot less money to play with.
The manager will be replaced by someone similar to the boring dross we had before Tonda. This equals potential relegation next season!
Miller/Lesleee glad you guys are getting on so well now. and thanks to you and all the other posters for keeping me entertained as the last few seasons playing style certainly didn't.
10.) 25 May 2026 19:05:45
Those were the days Ed014, they were certainly not overpaid like today's players!
{Ed014's Note - they were mate and nothing like the pay!
11.) 26 May 2026 06:25:58
To Ed014. another name from that era Jimmy Melia!
Terry Paine Crossing and Ron Davies at the end of it!.
I'd be interested to hear your opinion, and other Ed's on the 'spying' saga!
Stupid yes.
kicked out of the play off final ridiculous.
especially as it's allowed all over the world including the EPL.
Anyway. I hope you've enjoyed us playing as much as we all
{Ed014's Note - yes remember him too and I thought it was a bit harsh as obviously the better team won.
Joe Kirkup was another name from back then too!
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02 Jun 2026 07:54:07
SaintGGSy/Miller/Lesleee, 2408, s response is spot on. We crossed a line, we got caught, we got severely punished. Draw a line under it. Everyone does it in football. Stick with the manager Leeds did and where are they now? In the Premier League trying to buy our best players!
28 May 2026 08:20:08
Hi guys, miller I get you and your grandson were gutted missing the final, my son and grandson were also gutted but like you I believe they were at the Man City match and that is a day they will never forget, they played out of there skin and so nearly won.
And who got us there. I urge all posters to read the ugly inside article titled ' A thank you to Tonda Eckert ' they are my sentiments exactly.
27 May 2026 14:10:36
Hi Lesleee, I doubt any of us have illusions of repeating last season, I certainly don't. Our chance of promotion has gone I afraid. I take your point that it will be interesting to see how he could perform with a weakened squad. But that applies with any new manager. Whatever way you look at it we are mid table at best.
27 May 2026 10:41:29
So true Saint, we have to remember we would not have been anywhere near the playoffs if it wasn't for him. He turned a dismal season into an exciting one.
On a different subject, our defence was turned from an unorganised rabble into a decent one. Was that down to Tonda or the change of goalkeeper?
27 May 2026 08:26:29
Guys, as you know I am well and truly in the keep Tonda camp, he is highly rated in Europe with a number of clubs not worried about a guy behind a tree with an iPhone.
The minute we make the mistake of getting rid of him he is going to be snapped up.
This is going to be our loss. From the fans posts I have been reading on various sites it looks like there is a growing surge in the keep Tonda camp.