Jon Meeney reflected on Saturday’s opening day draw with York City, before delving into what to expect on Tuesday night against Fulham.
Sutton are set to embark on their National League Cup campaign just three days after kicking off 2025/26, and take on Premier League 2 side Fulham in their first home game of the season.
“Yeah, really pleased [about York]” Meeney said. “The lads stuck in, showed good resilience against a very good York team and for us now, it’s about building on what went well within that game and how we grew within the performance and using that tomorrow as we step out here for our first home competitive game of the season.”
“You want to get momentum, you want to keep breeding confidence into the group. I’m sure players will now just love playing games with football instead of hearing my voice and the gaffer’s voice on the training pitch. It’s about getting minutes into their legs competitively and keep generating the performances. Last season, you got all the way to the final.”
The U’s made headlines last term after making the first ever National League Cup Final, although they fell short against Leeds United at the last hurdle. Nonetheless, it proved to be an invaluable experience and is something which both Meeney and Head Coach Morison has described as being a testament to what the National League Cup is there for, with a tough test against Fulham to kick things off this time around.
“I’m still gutted” Meeney added. “I thought we used the competition really well, utilised the squad and for us, respecting the competition throughout and yeah, we get all the way to the final and yes, still disappointed that we lost here at Gander Green Lane in the final, but that now is about using it as motivation to be the best version that we can be, whoever’s selected within this competition and seeing where it takes us.”
“Fulham have always been top level. Even in my time working in academy football, always had very good encounters with different age groups at Fulham. They’re going to have a mix of 18s and 21s. They’re all going to bring their own individual qualities, but also they’re going to mirror what the first team do, and we all know how well their first team plays. So we’re going to have to be on it, but again, it’s our home turf, bring our principles to life with our crowd behind us, and let’s build some momentum.”
With Sutton set to return home for the first time this season in a competitive environment, Meeney emphasised the importance of the crowd and how excited he is to get back to football at the VBS Community Stadium.
“Yeah, love being here. I think at the moment what you’re getting is you’re getting positive vibes. You’re seeing the connection off the pitch and on the pitch. Everyone’s all in with what we’re looking to do as a whole. It’s our duty to perform out there, to create the atmosphere, but it’s also the duty of our brilliant fans to get behind us and keep driving the group on. And if we do that, hopefully we’re going to have some good times here.”
Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin
