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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