You know that feeling when you just know something is about to happen? That uneasy sense that lingers in the back of your mind, even when things seem to be going well? That was the theme of our latest episode of Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast, where I was joined by Rory and Claire to unpack Sutton’s first home defeat to Hartlepool and the end of our impressive unbeaten run.
Unbeaten Runs: A Blessing or a Curse?
"Once they get to nine games, they become a distraction." That was the sentiment we kicked off with—because while unbeaten runs are great on paper, they can weigh heavy on a team. The longer they go on, the more pressure builds, and eventually, something gives.
Despite a confident start to 2025, Sutton fans sensed this one might be coming. The atmosphere at the game felt a little flat, and as Claire put it, "It all just felt like we were running through the motions of a Saturday."
Hartlepool: A Game of Missed Chances
Even with an early Will Davies goal (his 15th of the season!), Sutton struggled to put the game to bed. There was a moment where we could have doubled the lead, but, as has happened before, we let the opposition back in. Rory described it best: "You could just sense it—it was coming."
Once Hartlepool equalised, they took control. Despite some heroic goalkeeping from Jack Sims, who made some truly unbelievable saves, Sutton couldn’t hold out. A late own goal sealed our fate, and that was that.
Fan Reactions: The Good, The Bad & The Keyboard Warriors
Ah, social media. As Claire pointed out, it was all smiles and silence from certain fans during our unbeaten run. But the second a loss comes in? Boom! Negative comments flood in from those who’ve had nothing to say for weeks. "If that’s all you’re here for, then why are you here?" she rightly asked.
There’s a difference between healthy criticism and just waiting for something to complain about. As Rory put it, "It’s a young developing team—we’re heading in the right direction." One bad result doesn’t undo the progress we’ve made.
A Glimpse of Light: Jack Sims’ Heroics
One major positive? Jack Sims continues to prove he’s one of the best keepers in the league. As I said on the pod, when we face a one-on-one situation, I don’t automatically see it as a goal anymore—I back Jack to pull off a save. And he did, multiple times, in this game.
Claire summed it up well: "He's been growing and growing. Some of the saves he's made recently have been just incredible."
Looking Ahead: The Oldham Challenge
We’ve got Oldham Athletic up next, and they’re flying at the moment. But, as Rory pointed out, so was York when we went there… and we turned them over. Can we repeat that performance?
Predictions? Rory and Claire both called a 2-1 win. I went bigger—3-1 Sutton. Why not?
Takeaways from This Episode
Unbeaten runs are great, but they can become a burden.
Hartlepool executed their game plan better on the day.
Jack Sims is proving to be a top-class goalkeeper.
Sutton fans need to back the team consistently—not just when we win.
We’ve got a big opportunity to bounce back against Oldham.
Final Thoughts: Stick With It
This loss hurts, but it’s not the end of the world. We’ve got a young squad that’s learning fast, and as one fan said, "Stick with it, people. There’s a lot to look forward to."
Join us next time as we look back at Oldham away and see if our "bounce-back-ability" is as strong as we hope!
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