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Yeah. You'd soon get to the situation where spied on teams would be adapting the training to misdirect the spies! Or just perceived spying or the chance of it - another example of focussing on the wrong thing It's an important rule for the integrity of the game and it's great IMO that a strong message has been sent and example set. I don't see how the EFL could've done anything else @Robbie, although I did expect them to bottle it. Streaming stuff like free-kicks and corners back home is a clear violation of the spirit of the game, let alone the rules. I've often wondered about this in relation to LW getting his players to 'practice their penalty'. Maca, Ruben and co chose what they were going to do and practised it. I wonder if they were checking for spies - they probably were, it takes nothing to send someone around, which is what Boro did. If it became rife and uncontrollable, you could see the EFL dropping the rule - that'd be a sad day and change the game.

This would be my starting 11 and bench to play Salford. An unchanged match squad that faced Chesterfield in the playoff 2nd leg. I think Martin has found his most effective starting 11, with a strong bench to cover all possibilities. Norburn & Robertson are our strongest duo in CM. Iorpenda & Luker are strong together in the AM positions. I don't think that there is a better back three in League 2 other than Ness, McDonald & Bedeau & with Belshaw behind those three, & Norburn & Robertson in front of them, they make formidable line up of six. If Notts can take their chances upfront & defend as well as they did against Chesterfield in the two playoff legs, Notts have a good chance of coming out on top.

@theAnticlough reminds of Leeds United when they used drones to watch Derby County, I don't recall what happened with regards to that but it's our sight cheating. It's a bit silly because it shows Southampton paid more attention to Middlesborough than to getting ready for the game themselves. If you resort to spying then you are focused on the wrong thing all together.

Sorry but I think this decision is very harsh. It penalises the fan base & it penalises the players who have worked hard all season for an opportunity to get into the PL. By all means fine the club & punish those who were responsible, but not the fans or the players. Apparently Southampton have sold around 37,000 tickets for the playoff final so far. How long before those fans get their money back, and maybe they won't want to give their tickets up. So where does that leave Middlesbrough? One thing for certain. It's a mess. PS, What about Hull? They've been preparing for Southampton all week. I understand they are not happy, now they are unprepared to play Middlesbrough, and apparently Middlesbrough have been preparing to play Hull just in case.