Sutton United head into tomorrow’s clash with Tamworth fixture in positive spirits after a strong week on the training pitch, following an encouraging performance and result against Forest Green Rovers.
Jayden Harris’ last gasp leveller secured a crucial point against the highflying Green, preventing a run of three straight defeats after solid displays against Southend United and York City failed to reap the rewards.
The Head Coach has since had a full week to prepare for the visit to The Lamb Ground, with Sutton’s clash with Woking on Tuesday night being postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, which delayed the Cards’ FA Trophy clash with Macclesfield by a week, but gave the U’s a chance to continue getting players back fit and put full focus on the task ahead.
Reflecting on the last few days, Agutter has said that the mood around the camp has remained upbeat despite the recent string of results, having not tasted victory since the start of December.
“There’s obviously a good feeling in the camp after a very good performance and a decent result against Forest Green.”
“Of course, we were disappointed not to take all three points, but in the grand scheme of things it’s definitely a point gained, especially when you look at the results around us on Saturday and in midweek.
“In terms of the work on the training pitch, it’s been really positive. There’s a good feeling, a good buzz, and we’re just looking forward to getting back out on the pitch and testing ourselves against a very decent Tamworth side.”
Recent weeks have seen Sutton produce strong performances against some of the league’s leading teams, even if results haven’t always reflected that, but the U’s have come the other side of a difficult opening to the year after facing a number of sides who are chasing promotion, and will be aiming towards Agutter’s target of at least eight wins for the remainder of the campaign.
“It’s incredibly important that we start putting points on the table,” he admitted. “But the one thing I do know is that if we continue to produce the same level of performance we’ve shown of late, against what the league table suggests are the best teams in the division, then the points will come.
“We’ve shown we’re a very capable side against the best teams. The challenge now is to keep working hard, keep developing the group and keep trying to be a better version of ourselves. If we do that, we’ll continue to climb.”
Attention now turns to Tamworth, a club whose journey has received admiration from Agutter, and who present a very different type of challenge.
“They’re direct, very dangerous on the counter-attack and very well organised defensively,” he said. “They don’t mess about – they get the ball into forward areas quickly and with quality. Set-pieces are also a big threat.”
“It’ll be a clash of styles. We play the game slightly differently to them, but we’ve got a lot of respect for what they bring to the table. We know it’s going to be a tough test, but it’s one we’re really looking forward to.”
“Step four, step three, step two – it’s all part of the journey. It’s not an apprenticeship as such, but it’s vital experience. You get lots of games, lots of wins, and equally some disappointing days. All of that helps you grow.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the job they’ve done and continue to do. They’re a very capable step-one side.”
The Head Coach will have hoped to take a slight advantage of the Lambs with Andy Peaks’ side set to face Wealdstone on Wednesday night, but after a waterlogged pitch at Grosvenor Vale leading to a late postponement, Sutton will instead face a fresh opponent, with Agutter reiterating the threat that they will pose.
“If they’d played midweek, especially on a Wednesday night, it probably would have had more of an impact on their training week,” he explained. “We might have seen that as an advantage due to fatigue and rotation.
“But with the game being called off, we expect to face a fully fit and fresh Tamworth side. That makes it another tough test, and we’re expecting the best version of them.”
“They’re a very good team and we’re fully aware of that.”
Agutter also touched on the recent ins and outs within the squad, with quite a bit of movement taking place over the last couple of weeks.
Eduino Vaz (Hampton & Richmond Borough) and Alex Woodyard (Folkestone Invicta) have both departed the club on temporary deals until the end of the season, joining the long list of players currently out on loan, while Jaiden White (Hereford) and Siju Odelusi (Dover Athletic) have both returned to training after their brief time away came to an end. Despite this, Agutter remained coy in regards to their involvement going forward.
“It’s been a challenge from day one in terms of squad size,” he said. “Ideally, we like to work with 20 to 23 players, which also keeps a clear pathway from the academy into the first team.
“The loans out are a combination of lads that need to play short-term who can help us longer term and also lads who I don’t think will be with us long-term so let’s give them the best opportunity possible to take the next steps on their journey by getting those guys out playing football and showcasing what they can do ahead of what will be an important summer for them.
“At the moment the squad is bloated again even with the loans going out, but we also have to consider that we had an extraordinary injury and suspension crisis, so that meant we had to make a couple of additions.
“In terms of players available we had the opportunity to pick a competitive squad and put a competitive side out there which we’ve done for the majority of the time, whereas now with Naders coming back fit, Liam Vincent coming back fit there will be a knock-on effect.
“We need to keep evolving the squad and that won’t be settled until next season I’d imagine. We’re conscious of not looking too short-term and we end up with the same headaches longer term in terms of players that we don’t think will help us so we’re being very conscious of the players that we’re bringing in permanently, they’re on longer term deals and we believe they’re going to form a key part of the side which we’ll be putting on the pitch next season.”
Finally, he emphasised the importance of the travelling support, who make the trip up to Staffordshire expecting a performance – and hopefully – a result.
“The supporters are always massive,” he said. “Their impact was clear against Forest Green. They had every right to be frustrated, but when we got the equaliser, if anyone was going to win it, it was us — and that reflects the supporters.
“A huge thank you to them again, we look forward to the Amber Army turning up in good numbers and full voice. If we match that level on the pitch, we’ll win plenty of games and share some brilliant moments together.”
