Chris Agutter says the mood in the camp is good after Tuesday’s victory over Farnham Town, with his Sutton United team looking forward to the challenge of his first home league game in charge against Hartlepool United (Saturday, 18th October; 5:30pm KO).

“As we said after the game on Tuesday; Wednesday off and then back in Thursday, Friday, with all eyes and focus on Hartlepool and what should be a tough game, but one that we’re looking forward to.”

“A real challenge for us, but again, it’s something that we embrace and we’re excited by the challenge.”

“Ever since the Friday before the Braintree game, the feeling amongst the group has been really positive.”

“I think everyone feels like we’re on the right track and the best way to reinforce that is by winning games of football and positive performances, so we obviously got the win on Tuesday night against a very good Farnham side that deserve a hell of a lot of credit.”

“I think everyone feels like we’re on the right track and the best way to reinforce that is by winning games of football and positive performances. We’re not a million miles away from where we want to be, but as I said, we feel like we’re on the right track. We’re moving in the right direction.”

His first home league opposition are Hartlepool, who are a side in flux at the minute, with Simon Grayson being dismissed after just months in the role, and making him the fifth manager since their relegation from League Two in 2023 to be axed by controversial owner Raj Singh.

“Obviously the manager changes and it throws it [the game plan] all up in the air.”

“Ultimately you’re looking at more individuals and relationships on the pitch; if they change shape, the behaviours of certain players and how they combined with others will be pretty consistent and there’s only so much you can affect in a short period of time.”

“We acknowledge they might change shape and offer up something different as a team. But in terms of individuals and units and those relationships, I feel like we’re in a really good place to to go into the game really clear on what we need to do.”

“If we can deliver our best level of performance and continue to improve, then we’ll be incredibly competitive in the game.”

With his squad largely looking the same it was against Farnham, though with the additions of the returning players from international duty as well as Hayden Muller, who returned from his loan spell at Salisbury, Agutter commented on the strength within the team, and how competition for places will play a key role in the journey ahead.

“When you’re welcoming lads back from international duty, obviously they’ve had a decent game time. They’ll probably be refreshed as well. They’ll come into the group really enthusiastic and equally the group will welcome them back.”

“The feeling amongst the squad is certainly on an upward curve for sure, so it can only add to the working environment.”

“He [Hayden] had a decent loan there [at Salisbury]. He’s been in training with us and has been excellent. So we’ve bolstered the squad in that respect.”

Agutter spoke on an element of anxiety within the team, emphasised by the poor start to the campaign under Steve Morison, after his maiden match in charge away at Braintree Town. However, since then, Sutton have scored six and conceded five, a far cry from that opening goalless draw in Essex.

 “Our worst moments are where we’re conceding goals and conceding chances, I actually think it comes off the back of not being aggressive enough, not being front foot enough,” he explained.

“The message from us is can we be more aggressive? Can we commit even more bodies forwards? Can we put the opposition under even more pressure?”

“If we do that with the right reaction, we should be able to turn the ball over higher up the pitch and rather than conceding counter-attacks and conceding chances through that, we’re stopping counter-attacks before they start.”

Something else which Agutter touched on, not for the first time, was his praise for the backing of the outstanding home support, and credited the noise in the stands as something which has lifted the players.

“The atmosphere was brilliant,” he said. “It’s the best home atmosphere I’ve experienced for a long time.”

“When we went 2–1 down in the 82nd minute [against Farnham], a lot of supporters could be forgiven for thinking it’s not our day, whereas straight from kick-off, we felt the energy from the supporters to kick on again.”

“It was no coincidence that virtually from kick-off we went up the other end and got the equaliser.”

“We want to make Gander Green Lane, as a starting point, an incredibly difficult place to come,” he added. “Can we play on the front foot, can we be aggressive, can we attack the opposition, can we entertain the supporters? And equally, can the supporters help the team on the pitch with their noise and energy and enthusiasm?”

“The pitch will be a bit dewy, it’ll be zippy. It’ll suit us to a tee in terms of what we want to do. Couple that with the atmosphere of being under lights around Gander Green Lane, it’s just something that excites us.”

“We can’t wait to get going. Let’s make it an incredibly difficult evening for them and deliver a level of performance which, as I said, the supporters can be proud of.”

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Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin