Total Saints Podcast

It’s the final Total Saints Podcast of the season, and unfortunately, there is still only one place to start: the fallout from Southampton’s failed Spygate appeal.

Martin is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and George Rees-Julian to look back on another extraordinary few days at Saints, following the dismissal of the club’s appeal against the EFL sanctions and the publication of the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s written reasons. The panel discuss the seriousness of the findings, the pressure placed on junior members of staff, the club’s handling of the situation, the ongoing FA investigation and the deafening silence from those in positions of leadership.

There is also a lengthy discussion about Tonda Eckert’s future, whether there is any realistic way back for him, and what Southampton now need to do to begin repairing the damage done to supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider reputation of the club.

Attention then turns to the summer ahead. With Saints now preparing for another season in the Championship, the panel look at which players are likely to stay or go, the uncertainty around Daniel Peretz, Aaron Ramsdale and the goalkeeper position, the sellable assets in midfield, and the decisions facing the club over players such as James Bree and Ross Stewart.

The team also reflect briefly on Hull City’s play-off final win over Middlesbrough, the likely needle when Saints and Boro meet again next season, and what the result said about the play-offs Saints were removed from.

There is also time for the final TSP admin of the season, including the Prediction League winners, the signed Atlanta Primus shirt giveaway, Patreon-exclusive merch updates, thanks to our sponsors Steam Town Brewery and Paul Castle Associates, and a farewell to George Rees-Julian as he makes his final TSP appearance before leaving The Echo.
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This emergency edition of the Total Saints Podcast reacts to the breaking news that Southampton have been expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying breaches involving three clubs during the season.

Martin Starke is joined by Glen de la Cour, Martin Sanders and Alfie House from the Daily Echo to break down what we know so far, including the EFL statement, Saints’ appeal, the additional breaches involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town, and the four-point deduction handed to the club for next season.

The panel discuss whether the punishment is disproportionate, why the situation has left so many supporters feeling angry and embarrassed, and what the consequences could be for those involved behind the scenes.

There is also a wider look at the damage done to the fanbase, the chaos around Wembley tickets, the impact on players who may now question their futures, and whether Sport Republic can ever properly rebuild trust with Southampton supporters.

It is one of the most extraordinary and damaging nights in recent Southampton history — and this episode captures the immediate reaction as Saints fans try to make sense of it all.
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Saints are heading back to Wembley.

Episode 380 of the Total Saints Podcast looks back on a tense, dramatic and ultimately unforgettable night at St Mary’s, as Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time to book their place in the Championship play-off final against Hull City.

Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to reflect on the key moments from the semi-final second leg, including Ross Stewart’s crucial equaliser before half-time, Shea Charles’ late cross-shot winner, and the scenes in the Northam End when the ball finally found its way into the net.

The panel discuss Saints’ slow start, the tactical shape, Flynn Downes being left out of the starting XI, and the impact he made from the bench. There’s also praise for the team’s fitness and resilience, with Middlesbrough visibly tiring as the tie went deeper into extra time.

There’s plenty to unpack from a fiery evening too, including the Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Luke Ayling incident, the ball boy controversy, Andy Madley’s refereeing performance, and several penalty claims that could easily have changed the direction of the game.

The conversation also turns to the ongoing spying controversy between Southampton and Middlesbrough. With more reporting emerging, including the Daily Mail photo published this week, the panel discuss the possible implications, the way the story has been covered, and the uncomfortable uncertainty it has left hanging over what should be a week of pure excitement for Saints supporters.

There’s also a quick look at the Prediction League, with 78 entries, 68 backing a Saints win and 23 correctly calling the 2-1 scoreline.

We’ll be back on Sunday night at 7pm for a special pre-Wembley podcast ahead of the Championship play-off final against Hull City. Que sera, sera…
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Welcome to Episode 379 of the Total Saints Podcast, your home for all things Southampton Football Club.

Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour and Alfie House to look back on a dramatic few days for Saints, both on and off the pitch.

This week, the panel begins with the story nobody expected to be discussing: Spygate. Middlesbrough accused Southampton of spying on a training session at their Rockliffe Park base, before the EFL confirmed that Saints had been charged with breaches of its regulations. The panel discuss what is currently known, how Saints may respond, whether the club are likely to contest the charge, and what kind of punishment could follow.

Then it’s on to the play-off semi-final itself, as Saints somehow left the Riverside with a 0-0 draw after a brutal first half against Middlesbrough. Boro dominated the opening 45 minutes, registering 17 shots while Saints failed to have one of their own, but Southampton stood firm thanks to some huge defensive moments from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, James Bree and Daniel Peretz.

The second half brought a much-improved Saints performance, helped by the introduction of Ross Stewart and Shea Charles. The panel discuss why the first half went so badly, whether Flynn Downes’ return helped or hindered the balance, the struggles of Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz, and whether Kim Hellberg’s side may have already played their best football of the tie.

There is also a look ahead to Tuesday night at St Mary’s, where Saints will need one more big performance to keep the unbeaten league run going and book a place at Wembley. The panel give their score predictions and discuss the importance of the atmosphere, the coach arrival, and turning the fallout from the week into a proper siege mentality.

Plus, there is a reminder for patrons in the Bobby Stokes, James Beattie, Francis Benali and Mick Channon tiers to complete the Patreon merch form by May 20th so the end-of-season exclusive merch packages can be prepared.

We’ll be back on Wednesday night at 7pm to react to the second leg.
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You can still donate to our Benali on Tour fundraiser for Saints Foundation here — every contribution makes a difference: https://saintsfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/total-saints-podcast-x-daily-echo

Southampton are officially heading into the play-offs — and with a win behind them.

On Episode 378 of the Total Saints Podcast, Martin Starke is joined by Steve Grant, Glen de la Cour, Alfie House and, briefly, Producer Alex Graham to look back on a huge weekend for the club and the podcast team.

Before the football, the panel reflect on Benali on Tour, after Martin, Alfie and Alex took part in the gruelling 10 Lake District Peaks challenge in aid of Saints Foundation. It proved to be one of the toughest physical challenges any of them had ever faced, but thanks to the generosity of the TSP community, more than £3,000 has been raised so far, with the wider fundraising total heading towards £50,000. There’s also praise for Franny Benali, Iain Dowie, the Saints Foundation team and the many supporters who made the weekend so memorable.

The focus then turns to Saints’ 3-1 win away at Preston North End. With fourth place on the line, Tonda Eckert made a few changes, resting James Bree and Finn Azaz, while Shea Charles and Cameron Archer were used in slightly different roles. The panel discuss the overall performance, goals from Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Ross Stewart and Kyle Larin, Daniel Peretz’s mistake, Tom Fellows’ lively display, and why Caspar Jander continues to look like one of Saints’ key players heading into the final stretch of the season.

There’s also a discussion around Player of the Week, the atmosphere at Deepdale, the impressive away following, and the strange sight of an inflatable object making its way around the away end.

Attention then turns to the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough. Saints were beaten 4-0 at the Riverside earlier in the season, but the panel discuss why this version of Southampton looks very different now. With Flynn Downes available again, Jack Stephens working back towards fitness, and selection questions around Matsuki, Tom Fellows, Cyle Larin and Ross Stewart, there are big decisions ahead before Saturday’s first leg.

The team also discuss the importance of finishing fourth, the psychological benefit of having the second leg at St Mary’s, the dangers of complacency, Middlesbrough’s recent form, and just how much promotion could shape the future of the squad.

To finish, there’s a quick word on the Southampton FC Women’s team, who ended their WSL2 campaign with a strong win and a fifth-place finish, plus a reminder to catch TSP’s recent interview with Marieanne Spacey-Cale.

We’ll be back next Sunday at 7pm to react to the first leg and look ahead to the decisive return fixture at St Mary’s.
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