Also, for those that haven't watched Morris lately, the dude is a tank. He was tanky while still in MLS, but the last couple of years in the Championship have seen him add bulk while still retaining mobility. I think he's underrated by a lot of people, mostly because they haven't watched him much (I don't blame any of you--the Championship can be a slog to watch sometimes).
I have watched him a lot this year and agree that he is underrated... Just felt like today he could have taken a few more opportunities from an O perspective rather than just playing the safe pass. He was also lucky not to be punished for losing the ball in a very bad spot in the 1st and his pace was found wanting on a long dribble thru the midfield where his opponent made up ~8 yards to tackle the ball from him. It's a tough game... you can't be perfect and I agree that he did his job from a DM standpoint but I have seen him play so many games where he makes insightful passes, strong runs into the box and hard hit shots from outside the 18 and I can't really recall any of these kinds of plays today. In the end, he is certainly not the reason they lost.... the team just couldn't hang onto the ball in the 2nd half... and honestly, they could have lost this one by more based on some awful play by their defenders (Fry in particular was getting routinely beaten over the top (#6)).
The focus has shifted back to possible sporting sanctions against Southampton, but it’s not clear Middlesbrough will benefit. Most likely SH will play Hull City for promotion, with ‘everyone’ rooting for HC. If SH wins the match but is (later) denied promotion, Hull City would be promoted (as the losing finalist).
FYI Boro's players reported to the training ground today for a team meeting prior to a return to training tomorrow in case Southampton get thrown out of the playoffs. It's worth noting that when the EFL commissioned the disciplinary panel they explicitly reminded it that the Bev Priestman case (when Canada's women were deducted 6 points and head coach, Bev Priestman, and 2 staff were banned from football for 12 months). A similarly swift outcome is clearly expected
Despite the six-point penalty, Canada still advanced to the Olympic quarterfinals. Anyway, I am skeptical that Southampton’s spying v Middlesbrough was a one-off. There just isn’t enough time to investigate properly (credit card receipts, security video footage, etc). If the spying was more systematic, over multiple matches, Southampton should withdraw (with no admission of {additional} wrongdoing, a reasonable fine and a points deduction for next season).
I'm increasingly of the opinion that, whatever penalty is or isn't imposed on Southampton, all of their analysts, plus the guy(s) they report to, should be given 3 year FIFA bans. That will effectively end their careers in football, sending a very powerful signal to football worldwide, as well as creating very compelling incentives for Southampton's staff to start talking. Once the first guy comes forward, the rest will follow. Put an amnesty for those providing effective cooperation on top . . .
I guess now we know why Southampton was so in-form. If they don't yank them stage left like in old timey cartoons and allow the final to be played, that's a shame. Hull should just be granted promotion after all of this. A zanier idea would be to remove Southampton from the playoffs and re-do the playoffs, moving everyone up a position, meaning Wrexham would play Milwall, Hull - Middleborough and so on. If they do let the game go on it's a bad, bad precedent
They really need to do emergency hearings on this. So much money involved in moving up. Like felloveranddidanadu says it's not even just Middlesborough being hurt even Wrexham should been in the playoffs if they find long term cheating.
True, but conducting a proper inquiry whose conclusions would withstand a court challenge at such short notice is a serious challenge and may very well prove impossible. Officialdom is there to be snigggered at and all that, but this is one occasion where they deserve understanding. A lot of understanding.
I don't know if this would expose the inquiry to legal jeopardy, but with a KC chairing it why not get a Crown Prosecution Service regular to do the questioning of Eckhart and his analysis team> If they do the English equivalent of taking the Fifth, say they have failed to provide full and unstinting cooperation and throw them out of the playoffs for that reason alone and dare them to sue.
Get back to work Aiden A statement from MFC:Middlesbrough Football Club welcomes the outcome of today’s Disciplinary Commission hearing.We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct.As a club, we are now focused on our game against… pic.twitter.com/6cjskjZKDY— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 19, 2026
I'm shocked the EFL actually did this, but I'm glad they did. Not least of all because it means Arsenal don't have to travel to St. Mary's next season.
Southampton potentially flushed $250-300M down the toilet over something so stupid and uncalled for. They got what they deserved. I would have liked a higher points deduction but the potential loss of revenue from winning promotion is a bigger kick in the teeth. Have fun in the Champo, you rotten losers!.
This is fantatstic news, especially after that Southampton player celebrated their goal vs Middlesbrough by getting in Aidan's face and making "spy googles" with his hands/face. Karma is a bit**, and in this case, it is very well deserved
BTW, this is scheduled for tomorrow, so we should know the final outcome relatively soon. The BBC article @msilverstein47 linked to points out that this punishment isn't just for spying on 'Boro, as Southampton admitted to recording multiple other club's training sessions throughout the season... I'd guess that Southampton's appeal will only be about getting kicked out of the final. Their punishments also include fines and a 4 point deduction to be applied at the start of next season.
The Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912 began in Southampton. It was not very successful and the boat crashed into an iceberg and sunk. The boat cost $7.5 million to build. That is the equivalent of $200 million in 2026 The value of winning the promotional final is subject to debate, but one report has it at $270 million. Just about every analysis has it over $200 million We will never know how Southampton would have done in the final, but if they would have won it, “spygate” was a bigger financial wreck than the Titanic. The Titanic has been replaced. It’s no longer the biggest one-day financial disaster in Southampton history Well done Saints! Bravo!
Aidan Morris to belt in a late winner at Wembley to secure Boro's Premiership spot and his spot in the USMNT squad?