Marching On Together

Good Morning. It's Friday 22nd May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Saints used Bielsa spy-gate as mitigating defence

Southampton Football Club attempted to leverage the Leeds United spygate scandal of January 2019 as part of its own legal strategy, arguing that the punishment being dished out to them was disproportionate when measured against the precedent set seven years ago. The comparison, on the surface, appears plausible, until you delve deeper! Leeds were only fined £200,000 for equivalent conduct, (which Marcelo Bielsa insisted on paying the fine personally from his own pocket), but a closer look reveals fundamental differences.

The original spygate controversy erupted when it emerged that Leeds United had been spying on opponents throughout the season. The story dominated football headlines for weeks, largely because of the response from Marcelo Bielsa and his now-famous press conference in which he delivered a 70-minute PowerPoint presentation, explaining his philosophy on preparing for matches. He admitted openly to spying on opponents, arguing that it constituted a legitimate form of preparation, that did not fundamentally alter the competitive balance of matches. The story was so prominent that it would have been virtually impossible for any individual working within professional football to remain unaware of it - or so you'd think!

Back in 2019 during the original spygate, Saints Manager Tonda Eckert was serving as assistant coach of RB Leipzig's Under-19 side in Germany. Given the prominence of both the story and of Marcelo Bielsa himself, a respected manager whose methodologies are studied and admired by coaches throughout the world, it seems reasonable to suggest that a young, ambitious coach in Eckert's position, WOULD have been acutely aware of the saga unfolding in English football.

As we know, on the continent, the practice of observing opposing teams during training or preparation sessions is permitted. Leeds used this very defence during their own spygate proceedings, so it's not surprising that Southampton recently did the same; however, it was deemed that "there was, on the part of the Respondent [Southampton], a contrived and determined plan from the top down to gain a competitive advantage in competitions of real significance by deliberate attendance at opposition training grounds for the purpose of obtaining tactical and selection information."

It didn't help their cause that they initially provided misleading information regarding the circumstances under which footage was obtained, only altering their position and entering a guilty plea after being presented with concrete evidence that contradicted their original account. This stands in marked contrast to Leeds, who acknowledged their conduct openly and transparently from the outset. Bielsa made no attempt to conceal what had occurred!

The Independent Disciplinary Commission found that young interns (like Will Salt) felt pressurised into spying when they knew it was morally wrong, with findings stating "In addition to the sporting sanctions a reprimand is considered appropriate in the present case because of the way in which junior members of staff were put under pressure to carry out activities which they felt were, at the least, morally wrong. Such staff were in a vulnerable position without job security and with limited ability to object to, or resist the instructions given to them."





​Is Okafor looking for a swift Elland Road exit?

Leeds United forward Noah Okafor has cast doubt over his future at Elland Road after suggesting that agent controls his destiny. The Swiss international, who arrived at Leeds last summer for a fee of £18 million, has endured an inconsistent season plagued by injury setbacks, yet his underlying statistics demonstrate considerable promise. Across approximately 1,600 minutes of Premier League action, the 25-year-old has contributed eight goals and one assist, representing a reasonable return on their investment.

His versatility across the forward line has earned praise throughout the campaign, with his pace, physical presence, and eye for goal marking him out as a valuable asset to the squad. However, in a recent statement that will undoubtedly concern the Leeds United faithful, the forward refused to commit his future to the club, stating, "Yes, I'm a Leeds player, and everything that comes or will come in the future is my agency's responsibility. We'll see what happens."

The ambiguous nature of these comments suggests that Okafor may be receptive to summer offers, leaving Leeds United facing the possibility of losing a key player after just one season. With the transfer window approaching, all eyes will be on how the club responds to this developing situation and whether they can persuade their Swiss striker to remain at Elland Road for the foreseeable future.

Okafor's 2 goals at Old Trafford were priceless

Looks like Okafor is keeping his options open and will want to be off as soon as an offer to his liking comes along.

Southampton seem not to have noticed that Leeds United never broke any rules at any pointbut some unwritten moral code was cited; unlike them. As for the other part of the breach, the one about treating other clubs with the utmost respect you have to ask yourself how many of the clubs in the Premiership and the Championship have NEVER EVER gone and watched another team in training?

Morning all, Okafor knows he is in the shop window at the WC, no need to worry, Harrison will be back by then so even if finds a few club....

SH. The more this goes on the more fun it is.

Plaudits to the media for finding pictures of Marcelo ( peace be upon him) looking slightly scary.

Good morning EB, et all

Southampton, should suck it up and accept their punishment, they were charged with 3 spying offences which they accepted, but like one of their fan podcasts said - caught once and suspected twice and admit it straight away, got to wonder how many times they did it and were never caught, I suspect pretty much all season.

I feel sorry for their fans but that's as far as it goes.

Okafor, he'll be getting tapped up by various clubs across Europe so will a number of our players,its up to the club to make them feel at home and wanted so they want to stay but if a big enough club comes dangling Champions League, sunnier weather and a barrow full of cash its got to be difficult to say no

I hope he stays as i feel his second year would be even better but I wouldn't be surprised if he left, as long as its north of £30m

At the risk of being pedantic it can't be a 'mitigating defence' as they had admitted the offence. It was a plea in mitigation using an alleged lack of proportionality in the penalty imposed but it ignored several salient points viz. 1) the main offence charged did not exist at the time of original spygate 2) Bielsa admitted it straight up and could probably have fought the nebulous charge brought if he wanted and 3) Southampton offence occurred at knockout stage of competition when the normal penalty for a breach is expulsion .

Based on his performances I would have thought Okafor's value has more than doubled . I am a bit surprised that he would continue to have such confidence in his agents given his experiences in Italy . Hopefully that might make him a bit wary of the so called 'big clubs' if they come calling.

Okafor. Hmm. Before his good run of form towards the end of the season I didn't really consider the fella anything special. Signs of quality yes but nothing to write home about. I think I told that Chapelallman chap in April that if he were to score the winner at OT or the FA cup semi that I would consider it evens for this year. He did score the goals at OT and looked very decent for a few games but then the injury rears it's ugly head once more and not for the first time this season he's on the sidelines again.

I like the guy and hope we keep him but I have 3 reservations. 1. The guy thinks he is better than he actually is right now. Let's be honest he's had a handful of very good games but that's about it. 2. He doesn't seem the kind of player to want to sit on the bench for any length of time. Starter or nothing type I think. 3. His injury record. He was in the best place for treatment this year yet still missed chunks of the season.

He'd do well at 25 to stay here and play his part next season and hopefully prove he can be a huge asset to our side by backing up his very good appearances for us this season. He'd still probably only be worth no more than £20m now had it not been for his double at OT and if he dazzles this summer he could well be going for around 35/40m if we were to sell him. He seems a big game player no doubt about it but if we are serious about taking the club to the next level we'll likely need 2 players of quality in many positions to achieve that. I'm not sure all players want to buy into that as it usually means less game time. Especially players who may have a bit of an ego. Might that be Okafor?

Still, if he has a great WC and ends up wanting away, 35/40m would be a quick and very good profit and I'd don't think we would struggle to find a similar equivalent. Okafor, not his agent has to want to be here and if he doesn't for any reason then goodbye.

What a season from Noah Okafor! I told you so, I've been saying it all along! The boy has absolutely answered every single one of those doubters who were writing him off, calling him broken biscuits, saying he couldn't stay fit, couldn't handle the big moments. But I'v always had a more positive view of him.

Well, look at him now! Under the mentorship of Farke, he's absolutely blossomed into something truly special. I spotted this lad early when nobody else gave him a chance, and now he's out there looking like a proper Rolls-Royce, gliding past defenders like they weren't even there, full of confidence, and showing everyone how great he is... I have always said that.

I love it, I absolutely love it! The way he's proving them all wrong makes me smile from ear to ear, this is the kind of unknown talent you dream of discovering! Warms my heart.

He's come through the tough times, the injuries, the criticism, and now, under Farke's guidance, he's been chosen for the Swiss national team where he truly belongs.

I have said it for months, this kid was always going to succeed! He's become so good that lots of teams want him, the big clubs are queuing up, banging on the door, desperate to get their hands on him! I kew it would happen.

Noah Okafor has got everything now, pace, skill, and that mental strength that separates the good from the great... all given to hin by the tutelage of that wonderful mentor and councillor Daniel Farke. Farke has made him into the great player he has become. I told you so!!!

To all those who doubted him, he's laughing last and laughing loudest. What a player, what an incredible story, and long may it continue! I tell you, this lad is going right to the very top, a genuine superstar in the making, and I knew it before anyone else!

When Bielsa did it, it was not against the rules. If any team was hard done by, it was Leeds, as they were fined for NOT breaking the rules.

Based on the s*** storm that ensued, Southampton management should have known that any breaches of the new rule would be dealt with harshly. Their management had the same expectation that I see in so many of the ultra-wealthy. They figured that, even if they got caught, the worst they'd receive would be a fine and they'd simply consider it the cost of doing business. In other words, they figured they could act with complete impunity.

I have absolutely no sympathy for club management. The players and the fans, however, have every right to feel aggrieved. The lawsuits that are going to start flying will take years to sort.

Saints fans have taken it quite well.

If it was us, i'd be absolutely devastated.

Well if he was to go, I'd want £35/40m really.

Made my opinion on the spygate stuff clear elsewhere, think it's nonsense.

No issue if Okafor goes, done ok when fit, Manure performance memorable. But clearly has lurched from being injured (9 games missed through injury) and being managed (only played 21 games worth of minutes in a season where we will have played 44 games).

So if we can get £30mil I'd be happy.

Cjay wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 12:46 pm Made my opinion on the spygate stuff clear elsewhere, think it's nonsense.

No issue if Okafor goes, done ok when fit, Manure performance memorable. But clearly has lurched from being injured (9 games missed through injury) and being managed (only played 21 games worth of minutes in a season where we will have played 44 games).

So if we can get £30mil I'd be happy.

Happened withe Rutter Sumerville and Gray
it's the data driven Redbull way.

Sean_Nile wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 2:45 pm Happened withe Rutter Sumerville and Gray
it's the data driven Redbull way.

I don't know what point that is meant to make . . . . .

Cjay wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 4:27 pm I don't know what point that is meant to make . . . . .

Let me spell it out for you then Leeds will sell Okafor just like they sold those other three and try to make the maximum profit, as you have remarked £30M

Is that clear enough for you or do I need to expound further on the Red Bull business philosophy.

Red Bull GmbH’s football philosophy is built around spotting undervalued young talent early, which is data driven, developing them quickly in a high-intensity, clearly defined playing system, then selling them for major profits.

Their clubs, such as RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, recruit young players before their value explodes, give them minutes in an aggressive pressing style, improve their coaching, fitness and tactical understanding, then move them up the ladder or sell them to richer clubs for big fees.

Examples include Erling Haaland, bought cheaply at Salzburg and later sold for a large profit, and Sadio Mané, whose value rose sharply after development in the Red Bull system.

Sean_Nile wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 4:44 pm Let me spell it out for you then Leeds will sell Okafor just like they sold those other three and try to make the maximum profit, as you have remarked £30M

Is that clear enough for you or do I need to expound further on the Red Bull business philosophy.

Red Bull GmbH’s football philosophy is built around spotting undervalued young talent early, which is data driven, developing them quickly in a high-intensity, clearly defined playing system, then selling them for major profits.

Their clubs, such as RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, recruit young players before their value explodes, give them minutes in an aggressive pressing style, improve their coaching, fitness and tactical understanding, then move them up the ladder or sell them to richer clubs for big fees.

Examples include Erling Haaland, bought cheaply at Salzburg and later sold for a large profit, and Sadio Mané, whose value rose sharply after development in the Red Bull system.

Erm ok.

It is the Red Bull way.

Rutter, Summerville and Gray were nothing to do with Red Bull though.

It's also the 49ers way.

Cjay wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 4:27 pm I don't know what point that is meant to make . . . . .

Which is often my go to thought when reading Rab

Cjay wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 5:16 pm Erm ok.

It is the Red Bull way.

Rutter, Summerville and Gray were nothing to do with Red Bull though.

It's also the 49ers way.

Let us then agree that Red Bull and 49ers have the same business model which is a data driven model in all that it entails,finding young players and selling for profit... and as far as I can see you heartily endorse this way of working.

Now consider the scenario where Farke doesn't want his best players sold out from under him... Ampadu to Liverpool was the latest rumour. Perhaps he wants a little bit of control and a say about who comes and goes.

Perhaps he does not want what he has built, wrecked because of a business model. I am glad they are sitting down to discuss a new three year plan, but that is no guarantee that the data driven plan will not dismiss him at any moment because he is not fulfilling the correct criteria, and is under performing.

The Subhuman wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:15 pm Which is often my go to thought when reading Rab

SORRY but I can't help with your lack of reading comprehension.

Sean_Nile wrote: ↑Fri May 22, 2026 6:21 pm SORRY but I can't help with your lack of reading comprehension.

I'm fine reading, I struggle a bit with non sequiturs...