Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast - The Sutton Podcast

After a thoroughly forgettable night at Tamworth, Sutton United responded with a much better performance at Kidderminster. So was that simply one bad night followed by a return to normal, or did the two games tell us something more about this Sutton side?

Sarah and Neil join Mike to pick through both performances, including the decision to take Jake Taylor off at Tamworth, just how reliant Sutton have become on him, the six changes at Kidderminster and whether a late equaliser there felt like a point gained or two dropped.

There is plenty on individual performances too. Spike Brits’ mistake comes under the microscope, Jordan Moore-Taylor finally gets some proper minutes, Omar Mussa puts down a marker for a starting place and Manny Osadebe once again starts a conversation about that most frustrating word in football: consistency.

We also take a wider look at the season. Sutton have 18 points from 12 games, which is actually one of our better starts in recent years, so has Chris Agutter raised expectations so high that a decent start now feels disappointing?

Away from the first team, Sarah updates us on her cycling challenge for Sutton United Women, including the physical toll of those long trips and what the fundraising is helping to provide. There is also supporter travel news, an update on the Paul Allen Project and, with impeccable timing, some thoughts ahead of the FA Cup draw.

Then attention turns to Friday night and the small matter of unbeaten league leaders Boreham Wood coming to Gander Green Lane under the lights.

Could Sutton go from fearful to fearless?

Listen in and let us know what you think.

Chapters00:00 Intro and news

03:15 Sarah’s cycling challenge

07:30 What the fundraising is helping to provide

10:45 Away travel update13:10 Paul Allen Project

14:50 Tamworth reaction

19:15 Why did Sutton fall short?

22:30 The Jake Taylor decision

27:10 Kidderminster reaction

32:40 Six changes and finding more energy

36:15 Spike Brits and the goalkeeper mistake

41:50 Jordan Moore-Taylor’s return

45:30 Omar Mussa puts down a marker

49:10 Manny Osadebe and consistency

52:45 18 points from 12 games

56:20 Boreham Wood preview

59:30 FA Cup draw chat

1:01:51 Outro

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, share and leave us a comment. It genuinely helps more Sutton supporters find the podcast.

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A game we should have lost. A game we probably should have won. And somehow, a game we drew.

Mike is joined by Mark and Gabriel after Sutton United's remarkable 3-3 draw with Forest Green Rovers.

Forest Green started the better side and repeatedly punished Sutton on the counter, but by the end Chris Agutter was describing the result as two points dropped. With Sutton producing 15 shots, ten on target and a late comeback from 3-1 down, it's difficult to know whether to feel relieved or frustrated.

We discuss the defensive mistakes, Sutton's tactical shape and the risks that come with committing players forward, along with the penalty shout involving Will Nightingale and the effect of Forest Green's second-half red card.

There's also plenty of praise for Charlie Carter after a wonderful goal and another increasingly influential performance, while substitutes Brandon Njoku and Temi Babalola both found the net as Sutton showed, for the second week running, that they aren't particularly interested in accepting defeat quietly.

With ten league matches now played, we take a wider look at Sutton's 17 points and 10th place, before turning towards a busy week on the road and two very different tests at Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers.

Plus Dundo returns, the Prediction League has finally broken the Dave monopoly, and we ask the question that probably sums Saturday up best:

A point rescued, or two points dropped?

Follow and join the conversation @SuttonPodcast.

Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast, in association with Lucky Star Gin.

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Welcome back to Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast, the Sutton Podcast.

Mike is joined by Dan and Rory to look back on a much better week for Sutton United, with four points taken from two games following the recent three-match losing run.

We start with the 2-1 win over Eastleigh and the return of former Sutton manager Matt Gray to Gander Green Lane. There was plenty of warmth for the man who took Sutton into the Football League, but once the match started the focus quickly moved to a Sutton performance that Dan described as the most “joined-up” of the season so far. We also revisit the ongoing atmosphere debate after Chris Agutter’s recent comments, including the rather pointed “was that loud enough for you?” response from the Sutton support at full-time.

Then it is on to Halifax 1-1 Sutton United and one of the stranger endings we are likely to see this season. Sutton looked set to leave empty-handed after conceding deep into stoppage time, only for David Ogbonna to equalise almost immediately after the restart.

Was it a good point away from home, or two points dropped after Sutton controlled so much of the game? Dan and Rory discuss the lack of a clinical edge, the amount of territory Sutton enjoyed, wasted set pieces and whether the side deserved more from the afternoon.

We also look at the character shown in responding so quickly after conceding, Charlie Bell’s impact from the bench and whether Ogbonna has now done enough to force his way into the starting XI. There is also a wider discussion about the value of keeping a settled team after Chris Agutter named the same starting side for consecutive league matches for the first time this season.

With Sutton now on 16 points from nine games, we take a slightly wider look at the season so far. Was the run of three defeats simply a blip? Is this side beginning to look more like the team Agutter wants? And how much more is there to come as players build fitness, confidence and familiarity with each other?

Elsewhere in the episode, we hear the latest from Sutton United Women, get an update on upcoming Supporters Club coach travel, discuss the Surrey Senior Cup tie against Epsom & Ewell and look ahead to the next National League test against Forest Green Rovers.

There is also, naturally, time for the important stuff: Halifax away days, abandoned predictions, football myths and a strong contender for the worst toilets in football.

00:00 Welcome to the Sutton Podcast

02:45 Supporters Club news and away travel

05:12 Sutton United Women update

08:45 Matt Gray returns and the Eastleigh win

13:10 The Gander Green Lane atmosphere debate

17:25 Halifax: point gained or two dropped?

22:15 Character, resilience and Charlie Bell

27:30 David Ogbonna pushing for a start

32:40 The value of a settled starting XI

37:55 Finding the clinical edge

42:10 The Halifax goal and own-goal debate

46:30 Halifax away and the worst toilets in football

51:15 Sixteen points from nine games

56:20 Surrey Senior Cup: Epsom & Ewell

59:45 Looking ahead to Forest Green Rovers

1:02:13 Final thoughts

As always, we want to hear what you think.

Was Halifax a good point or a missed opportunity? Should David Ogbonna start the next league game? And after four points from Eastleigh and Halifax, are Sutton beginning to find their rhythm again?

Join the conversation and find us across social media @SuttonPodcast.

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, like, comment, share and leave us a review. It genuinely helps more Sutton fans find the podcast.

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Welcome back to Sutton United Talk Time, the Sutton Podcast in association with Lucky Star Gin.

This week Mike is joined by Paul and Julian to look back at the 2-0 home defeat to Scunthorpe, the wider run of three league defeats without a goal, and the question everyone is asking at the moment: is this just a short-term dip, or is there something in the way Sutton are attacking that needs changing?

We get into the first-half positives, the second-half frustrations and the now infamous “horseshoe of doom” as Sutton struggled to break Scunthorpe down. We also look at the much-discussed figure of nearly 40 penalty-box entries, whether that stat really reflected what happened on the pitch, and the wider issue of Sutton simply not getting enough shots on target.

There was plenty to like from the two new arrivals, with Joe Knight impressing on debut and Ben Brookes showing the quality of his left foot. We also discuss the return of Will Nightingale, whether Sutton need more width, and if teams are beginning to work out how to stop us.

Away from the football itself, we spend plenty of time on Agi’s post-match comments about the atmosphere. Was Gander Green Lane unusually flat? Does the team have to excite the crowd, or should supporters help lift the players when things are not going well? We also discuss booing, frustration, the impact of constant negativity on young players and whether the connection between supporters and the team has to work both ways.

There is also a wider look at falling attendances, the new restrictions around under-14s attending matches without an adult, the latest Fantasy Football standings and coach travel information for Halifax, Tamworth and Kidderminster.

Finally, we look ahead to Tuesday night against Eastleigh and the return of Matt Gray to Gander Green Lane.

0:00 Intro and welcome

3:45 Travel updates and women’s team news

7:10 Looking back at Barrow

12:30 Sutton 0-2 Scunthorpe

18:15 The “horseshoe of doom” and predictable build-up

24:40 Shots, goals and attacking struggles

31:00 Joe Knight and Ben Brookes impress

38:20 Will Nightingale returns

44:55 Fantasy Football update

51:30 Agi’s post-match interview

59:00 Was the atmosphere really flat?

1:07:15 Attendances and the under-14s rule

1:15:30 Booing, frustration and supporter negativity

1:22:45 Striker options and squad needs

1:28:30 Eastleigh and the return of Matt Gray

1:33:55 Final thoughts

As always, let us know what you made of the game and the wider discussion.

Are Sutton simply going through a bad spell, or is there something that needs changing in the way we attack?

And on the atmosphere debate, how much responsibility sits with the players and how much with us in the stands?

Thanks for listening, watching, sharing and getting involved.

Up the U’s.

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After a perfect start to the season, the bubble has burst for Sutton United.

Mike is joined by Sarah to look back at the 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone and ask the obvious question: was this simply a bad day at the office, or did Wealdstone expose a few things Sutton need to address?

We discuss the impact of missing Will Nightingale, the reshuffle at the back, whether the long trip to Gateshead and quick turnaround played a part, and why having plenty of possession meant very little when Sutton struggled to create clear chances.

Discipline is back on the agenda too. After another red card and Agi being sent from the technical area, is this becoming something Sutton need to get under control before it starts costing them more seriously?

There is plenty of perspective as well. Four wins from the opening five league games is still an excellent start, and as Dean Hammond said after the match, “It’s what you do next.”

Away from the men’s first team, Sarah gives us an update on her challenge to cycle to every Sutton United Women away league fixture this season, raising money for the women’s section along the way. So far that has involved muddy paths, questionable Google Maps routing, dogs, plenty of miles and, thankfully, a very strong start to the fundraising.

Support Sarah’s challenge here:

https://gofund.me/caf431895

Follow her Sutton Women’s Cycling blog here:

https://suttonwomencycling.wordpress.com/

We also look ahead to the trip to Barrow and ask whether Sutton can bounce back immediately, whether a point would be a good result, and what matters more right now: performance or result?

Sarah’s answer is pretty clear.

She wants to be entertained, but when all is said and done, she’ll take the win.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and Welcome

2:30 The Bubble Bursts: Wealdstone Post-Match Analysis

6:15 Fatigue and the Gateshead Travel Factor

9:45 Defensive Reshuffle and Missing Will Nightingale

14:20 Discipline Concerns and Agi’s Red Card

18:50 League Table Perspective and Predictions

22:30 Sutton United Women Cycling Challenge Update

27:15 Fundraising Milestones for the Women’s Section

31:40 Previewing the Trip to Barrow

35:50 Bounce-Back Ability and Team Psychology

38:30 Final Thoughts and Closing

We love hearing from Sutton United supporters, so let us know what you made of the Wealdstone defeat and what you are expecting at Barrow.

If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a comment, give us a thumbs up on YouTube and share the episode with another Sutton fan.

Follow us everywhere at @SuttonPodcast

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Four wins from four. Ten men. One late winner. And somehow we’re still trying not to get carried away.

In Maturity Under Pressure with Rory & Mark, we look back at Sutton United’s 1-0 win away at Gateshead and a night that felt like another important test for this new-look side.

There was plenty to talk about before we even got to the football. Friday night scheduling meant a difficult trip north for the travelling support, with cancelled trains, packed services and Bank Holiday traffic all part of the fun. We discuss whether DAZN’s Friday night experiment actually works for supporters, clubs and viewers, or whether spreading almost the entire National League programme across the same evening simply creates more problems than it solves.

On the pitch, the biggest talking point was obviously the red card. There was provocation, there was overreaction from the Gateshead player, but there was also no escaping the fact that Sutton gave the referee a decision to make. We discuss whether it was simply a moment of immaturity, how young players learn from those situations and why Agi’s refusal to make excuses afterwards was probably exactly the right response.

What happened next was far more encouraging.

Rather than folding after going down to ten men, Sutton appeared to grow into the challenge. There was calmness, organisation and a willingness to keep playing football rather than simply hanging on. The strength of the bench became increasingly obvious too, with Charlie Bell, Jermaine Francis and David Ogbonna all making an impact after coming on.

We also talk about Temi Babalola, who now has two goals in two league games and is starting to show exactly why Agi has so much faith in him. His physical presence gives Sutton a completely different option, but importantly he is also finding the net.

At the other end, the defence continues to impress. Will Nightingale and Alex Kirk look increasingly comfortable together, Dan Urpens and Besart Topallaj continue to offer plenty from full-back, and Spike Brits came through his biggest test of the season so far with some important saves.

Four league games, four wins and just one goal conceded.

So the obvious question remains...

When exactly are we allowed to get carried away?

Elsewhere in the episode, we discuss the lavender kit under the Gateshead floodlights, Sutton United Women’s remarkable 5-5 draw, coach travel, Sarah’s cycling challenge, the latest Perfect Pick fantasy football scores and a quick look ahead to Wealdstone.

Chapters

0:00 Intro and the long road to Gateshead

4:30 The DAZN Friday night scheduling debate

9:15 Lavender kit and visibility under the lights

12:45 Sutton United Women’s incredible 5-5 draw

17:15 The red card: immaturity, provocation or both?

23:10 Agi’s no-nonsense post-match reaction

28:40 How Sutton controlled the game with ten men

33:15 Strength in depth and Charlie Bell’s impact

38:30 Temi Babalola: two goals in two

44:00 Defensive solidity and the Kirk-Nightingale partnership

49:30 The impact of Topallaj and Urpens

54:00 Perfect Pick fantasy football update

58:45 Four wins from four: can we get carried away yet?

1:02:15 Looking ahead to Wealdstone

1:04:27 Final thoughts

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, follow, leave a comment and share it with another Sutton fan. It all helps more people find the podcast.

You can join the conversation on social media at @SuttonPodcast.

For Sutton United Supporters’ Club coach travel, contact [email protected] or visit the Supporters’ Hub on a matchday.

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Sutton United have made the perfect start to the National League season. Three games, three wins and nine points from nine. So naturally, nobody is getting carried away...

Mike is joined by Neil and David to look back at the 2-1 win over Hartlepool and discuss why this Sutton side already feels very different from the one we watched last season.

We talk about the contrast between this year’s flying start and last season’s struggles, whether winning ugly is actually a very good habit to develop, and the change in mindset under Chris Agutter. Forget simply getting to 50 points and worrying about survival. Aggie has set the bar considerably higher.

There is plenty on the Hartlepool game too, including Temi Babalola getting off the mark, the physical presence he gives Sutton up front, Emmanuel Osadebe’s goal and another look at the increasingly ridiculous weapon that is Dan Urpens’ long throw.

We also discuss Sutton’s defensive improvement, genuine competition for places across the squad and why the team now appears capable of changing the way it plays depending on the opposition rather than relying on one particular style.

Ahmed Nur joins us with a match report from Sutton United Women’s opening-day 2-1 victory, while we also have the latest from the Sutton Podcast fantasy league.

Finally, attention turns to Friday night’s long trip to Gateshead. Another different challenge, another different type of game and the chance to make it four league wins from four.

The supporters’ coach to Gateshead is confirmed and will meet at 9:45am for a 10:00am departure.

Gateshead: £60 adults / £40 under-16s, who must be accompanied by an adult.

The Barrow coach has unfortunately been cancelled due to a lack of early bookings, while the Halifax trip still needs more supporters to sign up before it can be confirmed.

If you are thinking of travelling, please book as early as possible. Waiting until the last minute can mean the coach is cancelled before the numbers arrive.

For coach travel information and bookings, contact: [email protected]

0:00 Intro and club travel news

3:12 Sutton United Women match report

6:45 Reviewing the Hartlepool win

10:30 Comparing the start with last season

14:15 Is it too early to get excited?

18:40 Aggie’s mindset and the 100-point target

23:10 Temi Babalola’s impact as the number nine

28:05 Dan Urpens and the long-throw weapon

33:20 Defensive mistakes and competition for places

38:15 Handling nerves and managing the game

43:40 Fantasy league update

47:15 Gateshead preview and travel

52:08 Team selection and Charlie Carter

55:45 Final thoughts and wrap-up

If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe or follow and help us get the podcast in front of more Sutton United supporters.

Join the conversation and find us across social media @SuttonPodcast.

Are you getting carried away yet, or are you firmly with Neil and David and waiting a little longer?

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Two games. Two wins. Four goals scored. None conceded.

Not a bad start to our promotion-winning season...

Mike is joined by Carl and Paul to look back at Sutton United's 1-0 win over Altrincham and a performance that was very different from the opening-day victory at Woking.

It wasn't always pretty, but does winning a game like this tell us something important about this Sutton side? We discuss winning ugly, adapting the way we play depending on the opposition, the increasingly impressive Will Nightingale, coping with Jake Taylor going off injured and the options Sutton suddenly seem to have throughout the squad.

There's also plenty on Temi Babalola's physical presence, David Ogbonna making it two goals in two games, Spike Brits and those back-to-back clean sheets. Most importantly, when does a good start become evidence that we might actually be quite good?

Away from the match, Carl and Paul model the new lavender third shirt, we talk upcoming away coaches and Sarah's slightly mad plan to cycle to every Sutton United Women's away game this season to raise money for the team.

There's also the latest from our Play Nimbus fantasy league, some mixed feelings about the National League Cup ahead of Leicester City on Tuesday and a look towards next Saturday's 12.30 kick-off against Hartlepool, where two teams with 100% records and no goals conceded meet at Gander Green Lane.

And yes, Mike has already looked into how much notice you need to organise an open-top bus parade. Just in case.

🎙️ Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome, Carl & Paul and the lavender shirts

03:45 The new Sutton United third kit

07:12 Away travel and upcoming coaches

09:30 Sarah's cycling challenge for Sutton United Women

12:15 Altrincham: winning ugly?

17:40 What's changed about this Sutton side?

23:10 Clean sheets, Will Nightingale and Spike Brits

28:00 Temi Babalola and a different option up front

33:15 David Ogbonna and Sutton's attacking options

38:20 Referees, throw-ins and consistency

42:45 Play Nimbus fantasy league update

47:30 When does a good start become a good team?

51:15 National League Cup and Leicester City

54:20 Hartlepool: our first big benchmark?

57:00 Club legends, shoebox trophies and goodbye

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Sutton United are back, and that's a rather nice way to start.

Mike is joined by Sarah and Dan to look back at Sutton's 3-0 opening-day win away at Woking, with more than 500 travelling Sutton fans getting to enjoy three goals, a clean sheet and a performance that gave us plenty to be encouraged about.

But first, the important stuff. The away support, the heat, the struggle to get a drink at half-time and, of course, the unmistakable aroma of Woking's open-air toilets...

Then we get into the football and ask the obvious question: were Sutton good, or were Woking bad?

We look at what felt different from last season, particularly Sutton's shape, togetherness and defensive organisation. Will Nightingale's experience and leadership gets plenty of praise, while Dan Urpens' performance, positional flexibility and genuinely dangerous long throw give us another weapon to get excited about.

The late withdrawals of Alex Kirk and Charlie Carter meant an unexpected reshuffle before kick-off, but Sutton barely seemed affected. We discuss what that says about the depth of the squad, Noah Nzuzi getting the nod ahead of Kevin Donkor, and the increasingly difficult selection decisions facing Steve Agutter.

There's also Omar Mussa's stunning free kick, Temi Babalola's contribution without getting on the scoresheet, and something Sutton haven't always had enough of in recent years: pace. Sam Folarin and David Ogbonna give this side a genuine threat in transition, with Ogbonna's goal showing exactly what can happen when defenders are invited into a foot race.

We also discuss Spike Brits' remarkably uneventful senior competitive debut, the Jake Taylor effect and whether the experienced heads added this summer are already making Sutton look like a more mature side.

Finally, attention turns to Altrincham at home next Saturday. After such a good opening day, can Sutton finally improve a home record that simply hasn't been good enough?

And then the dangerous question...

Has one game changed our expectations for the season?

Chapters

0:00 Welcome back to Sutton United Talk Time

2:45 Atmosphere and away support at Woking

6:15 Were Sutton good, or were Woking bad?

11:30 Discipline, physicality and avoiding silly mistakes

15:45 Sutton's defensive shape and organisation

21:20 Late injuries and squad depth

26:10 Will Nightingale's leadership and goal

31:40 Dan Urpens and the long throw

37:15 Noah Nzuzi and competition for places

42:50 Omar Mussa's free kick and midfield role

48:20 Babalola, Folarin and Sutton's attacking options

53:10 Spike Brits and the Jake Taylor effect

57:30 Looking ahead to Altrincham and improving our home form

1:00:00 Have our expectations changed?

What did you make of Sutton's performance at Woking? Were we good, were they bad, or a bit of both? And has the opening day changed your expectations at all?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

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Club captain Jake Taylor joins Mike for an inside look at Sutton United as the club prepares for a new National League season.

From joining Reading’s academy at just eight years old to leading Sutton’s rebuilt squad, Jake discusses the experiences that shaped him as both a player and a captain. He explains the importance of leaving the academy environment to play men’s football, how loan spells helped him grow up and why his career has taken him from right-back and striker to his current role anchoring the midfield.

Jake also reveals why he chose to join Sutton while the club was bottom of the table last season, what the young squad lacked during that difficult campaign and how the arrival of more experienced players has changed the balance of the group.

The conversation covers the responsibilities that come with being club captain, mentoring younger teammates, dealing with criticism on social media and creating a dressing room where players genuinely enjoy working together.

Jake describes a brutal but carefully planned pre-season, including the enormous distances covered by the squad, and explains why every session has been designed to make Sutton one of the fittest teams in the National League.

He also discusses the ruthless and relentless standards demanded by manager Chris Agutter, the squad’s ambition to challenge for promotion and why nobody has joined Sutton simply to settle for a comfortable mid-table season.

There is also time for some dressing-room quickfire questions, including the loudest player, the funniest teammate, the squad’s questionable fashion choices and who might make the best manager after retiring.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the shoebox trophy

03:15 Early career at Reading Academy

07:40 Developing through the loan system

11:20 Footballing influences and Gianfranco Zola

14:50 Mentoring the next generation

18:15 Why Jake joined Sutton United

22:30 Reflecting on a difficult first season

26:45 Handling social media and pressure

30:10 The role of the club captain

34:25 Building squad unity

38:10 Working with Agi

41:50 Quickfire questions and dressing-room chat

45:30 Surviving a brutal pre-season

48:45 Promotion ambitions and a message to supporters

What are your expectations for Sutton this season? Join the conversation in the comments and follow @SuttonPodcast across social media.

Please like, share and subscribe for more Sutton United interviews, discussion and behind-the-scenes insight throughout the season.

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