As Sutton United prepare to begin 2026, the focus turns to a challenging start to the new year and the visit of York City.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Chris Agutter reflected on the year just gone before looking ahead to the new year, praising the work that’s gone on in training over the last couple of weeks.
With fixtures postponed and momentum briefly paused, the extended break has allowed for reflection, recovery, and reinforcement, and the Head Coach believes the timing has ultimately worked in Sutton’s favour.
“We’ve had a couple of really good training weeks it’s given us an opportunity to get players back fit give us an opportunity to make important additions to the squad as well so the breather, for want of a better phrase, has come at a good time in some respects, but equally I felt we were very good against Southend, so we felt the level of performance was more akin to what we saw in November.
“So perhaps the break halts that upturn in level of performance, but the work on the training pitch over the last couple of weeks, and as I said, the new additions and players coming back fit, I’m pretty sure will only help us move forwards and help us build Sori on the south end performance.”
“It’s given us a bit of breathing space, it’s given players that need time to rest and recover, it’s given them the opportunity to do that and as I said, it’s also given us an opportunity to bring players in and now the players are in the building.”
“The full training weeks has really helped in terms of getting those guys on the same page as the ones that have been with us for a little bit longer. And equally, it’s the biggest sort of period of time where we’ve had to train since we’ve been in the building because we’ve obviously had a lot of games and a lot of Saturday, Tuesdays and midweek games.
“So yeah, it’s been a really positive period for us and yeah, we’re looking forward to moving forwards and building on what we feel like. It’s been a really good couple of weeks.”
A number of key additions have arrived at the club recently, strengthening depth and increasing competition across the pitch, with Agutter having to contend with an injury crisis recently, and touching on how important his new recruits will be.
“It’s the depth that we spoke about; not just numbers for the sake of it but real quality that can compete with the starting XI, that pushes players that currently have the shirt.”
“Ultimately if the level of performance falls short, we now have more ability to make changes and there certainly won’t be the drop off in performance than perhaps where we’ve been a bit light.”
“Also variety; [Dubem] Eze has come in and been excellent, an attacking midfield player, can pay wide as well but we see him more as a central attacking midfield player – plays in the same position as Jayden Harris and Lewis Simper but plays it very differently so that gives us nice variation.”
“With the additions that we’ve made, I think that helps. We’re looking to add one more centre back as well and we’re hoping to get that done over the next week which again will help further in terms of stopping the goals going in at the other end.”
Furthermore, the return of Besart Topallaj was described as a major statement of intent, with the midfielder choosing Sutton despite strong interest elsewhere, while Agutter also spoke candidly about Chris Haigh’s arrival, reflecting on their previous working relationship and the qualities he brings both on and off the pitch.
“Bes – what a player he is. When it became clear he could be available we were really keen to bring him back to the football club, really pleased that we could attract him back to the football club as he had an awful lot of interest across the leagues so that’s a real statement from us.”
“He’ll come straight into the starting lineup and you see on the training pitch he improves us – he’s raised the level.”
“Chris Haigh is someone I’ve worked with previously – he was the number one at Worthing last year.”
“We felt he can really help us competing first and foremost for the number one shirt – pushing Jack Sims and David Aziaya and also in general just an incredibly good character around the group, a real leader, another man, someone who’s got real experience.”
“And on top of that in the coaching role he brings a real skillset and he’s outstanding in terms of developing goalkeepers; he’s been working at Tottenham and a few other clubs and he did a lot of work with goalkeepers at Worthing as well and he’s outstanding in that department.”
“Really, really happy with those additions and appreciative of the board.”
Fitness across the squad has improved significantly, with most players back in full training and optimism growing as the season enters its second half. Looking at the league position and progress made so far, Agutter said he remains ambitious while acknowledging the work still to be done.
“We want to win every game, but equally, when you say that, it’s not bad going, we know we’re very good when we can get our best players on the pitch.”
“We’ve strengthened our position with new additions, so we’re certainly getting closer to getting our best players back fully fit. We saw that against Southend and we saw that we were able to go more than toe-to-toe with a team pushing for promotion.”
With 2026 still within it’s early days, Agutter touched on his New Year’s Resolutions, with a key improvement he said he wants to make being defensively; a key focus during the break, without losing sight of Sutton’s attacking identity.
“We’re averaging nearly two and a half goals per game, but we’re also conceding nearly two goals per game. So that’s definitely a fairly obvious area that we need to go after.
“But more doubling down on the attacking side of it and being even better at that moving forwards. Because if we attack better we’ll defend better. If we’re attacking better we’re attacking more which means we’re defending less and for me the best way to defend is by having the football and attacking the opposition.”
The first test of the year is York City, a side that presents a formidable test, but one that Sutton approach with confidence and belief, with the chance to begin the year at home something that the U’s will relish.
“We recognise they’re a very good opposition, but we also know that on our day, we’re a very good team who can go toe-to-toe with a very good side.”
“I can’t wait, we’ve missed them [the supporters], just looking forward to attacking 2026 together.”
“From a training perspective, as I said, we’ve had two really good weeks in terms of 2026. First game of 2026 against very good opposition.
“Just excited by the challenge and looking forward to attacking the challenge ahead together with, for me, what is the best fanbase at the level. So just look forward to seeing them all again on Saturday.”
“Wrap up warm, and get there in big numbers and get behind the team because we’re desperate to give you a level of performance that you can be proud of.”
