Welcome back to another episode of Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast! I'm your host, Mike, and today we're diving into the gritty details of our recent clash against Gateshead, while looking ahead to what could be a crucial game against Braintree. Joining me are our insightful panelists, Gabriel and Paul, as we dissect the key moments and chat about what’s next for our beloved Sutton United.
00:58 - 01:31
Sutton Podcast: Hello and welcome to another episode of Sutton United Talk Time on the podcast. It's the Sutton Podcast in association with LuckySideChin. I'm your host Mike and joining me on the panel today we have Gabriel and Paul. We're going to be covering the defensive almost masterclass against Gateshead and we're going to look forward to the response at Braindrie this weekend after I think 3 league losses in a row. As always, love hearing from you, do join in the conversation, stay connected, share, retweet at me and all the rest of it, like, shares and all the rest of
01:31 - 01:39
Sutton Podcast: it. I love it and I keep seeing my youtube subscribers grow Up a little bit which is always nice and she feeds my ego. So I love that
01:40 - 01:42
Speaker 6: paul I
01:42 - 01:48
Sutton Podcast: haven't I haven't seen you I've been you've been on but didn't see you last night. I don't think I saw you on saturday
01:48 - 02:04
Paul: No, no, I was yeah, no, we've missed each other. Aren't we? So we'd no, I wasn't I was at old I didn't go last night, but I was watching on the telly last minute, you know, family diary juggling and all that. But I did get to see the game but on the computer.
02:05 - 02:07
Sutton Podcast: Excellent, excellent. How have you been anyway?
02:07 - 02:09
Paul: Good, yeah, yeah, I'm good.
02:11 - 02:18
Sutton Podcast: Gabriel, saw you briefly while you were working yesterday, going to and from the turnstiles, How have you been?
02:19 - 02:34
Gabriel: Good, good. We were quite short on stuff yesterday. We only opened 4 gates, 3 home and 1 away. And I missed about 10 or 15 minutes of the starting of the game because of that.
02:36 - 02:54
Sutton Podcast: That was alright, a few minutes, I think. So we are going to jump in. I set you some... It's a late question, but I thought it was a fairly interesting question. It's the knowing me, knowing you segment. And I'll give you a second thing. Gabrielle, they've gone.
02:55 - 02:57
Gabriel: No, it's just the lights. Not, not me.
03:08 - 03:36
Sutton Podcast: So Gabrielle's in his car. So, so that's dedication first of all. But the question I asked was if you could organise a friendly match from any team, past or present, who would it be and why? So open to interpretation but I've kind of said a team that something will this current something cycle play in a friendly so who would you have something playing a friendly or who would you play a friendly?
03:37 - 04:11
Paul: So yeah, so I think when you asked that question my thoughts immediately turned to, I mean it's childhood heroes really isn't it, I think. So and I grew up watching West Ham in the late 70s, 80s. So the West Ham team of Brookings, Bonds, Devonshire, Lampard, that era, I think rolling up to Gander Green Lane would get me very excited. I mean, I'll get excited obviously when we play, we're maidenhead in town, so when Devo turns up. So yeah, that will be for the team for me, but that's through a misty I'll childhood lens. But some,
04:11 - 04:20
Paul: some decent players in there, but I'd love to see them. I'd love to see them on a decent pitch. I reckon, I reckon Sam's pitch is better than Upton Park was in the eighties.
04:21 - 04:34
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, a lot of them. Yeah, it's easy to look back at his nostalgia and go, oh, I thought he was better in the old days. And then you look at some of the videos and go, what was better exactly? Absolutely. But Gabriel, who would you love to see us play in a friendly?
04:34 - 04:52
Gabriel: Well, because I missed that big Arsenal game that was probably the most spectacular moment, at least in our times, in this millennium at Gander Green Lane. I would like to see Arsenal play here. Yeah, yeah good.
04:52 - 05:12
Sutton Podcast: For me it would be similar to you Paul, but it would be the Sutton team from the sort of mid to late 80s, sort of golden period Sutton team, just sort of compare to how things are and maybe do some of these things at all. Was it better? Not better? But we'll see. I'm sure. How do you
05:12 - 05:13
Paul: reckon they'd get on?
05:13 - 05:17
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, I don't know. I'll be too busy going, oh!
05:18 - 05:19
Paul: A Fanboy.
05:19 - 06:01
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. But yeah, share your thoughts. Give us your answers as well. And yeah, take something. Podcast. So Club News. Birmingham tickets were out. Not sure they actually announced they were only online but the article kind of told you how to log in and get them online but there were some available as well in the club shop so I know some people were a bit upset about that but just doesn't know how you get tickets. But for Gateshead, Gabriel, we'll start with you. Fairly tough challenge, obviously the new manager bounced which was, they appointed a
06:01 - 06:13
Sutton Podcast: new manager like a day or so after I did the interview with Eceh. How they're doing well, I mean how did you think the game would go Erel and what were your expectations going into it?
06:14 - 06:55
Gabriel: Well given the latest results I didn't expect us to be dominant. This is also what I saw at the beginning. They were the dominant team. They controlled the ball much better. After conceding 7 goals in the past 2 league games, we were more careful with the defence. We were trying to defend with 10 players and to be compact and concede little, which we did. But this had the adverse effect that we also created little.
06:56 - 07:01
Sutton Podcast: True, true. Paul, what were your thoughts going into the game? What were your expectations?
07:02 - 07:37
Paul: Nervous, I mean, you know, Gates were fourth, they'd scored some goals, haven't they? I think they'd failed to score only twice in open play and 1 of them was against Forest Green Rovers they know how to knock the ball about so I was a little nervous but I expected a reaction from the old game. You know, that was a poor, poor game. So I thought we'd come out the traps a bit. I expected the usual industry and we're perhaps without the impact and unusual inconsistency. But but yeah, that was that. And I guess from the lineup,
07:37 - 08:02
Paul: it was missing. I thought we were simple was out, of course, and that was out. And I was thinking, OK, but a chance for us to play which was I was interested to see him so and and I guess the big news was Simms in goal wasn't it so I was thinking that was probably the change that we needed so from in terms of a goalkeeping perspective I thought that was the right decision at this time so Micks really I didn't have a skeeby-doo what how it was gonna go
08:04 - 08:09
Sutton Podcast: yeah you mentioned it was changing those personnel we'd change a bit of a changing lineup as well yeah some Didn't have
08:09 - 08:09
Speaker 6: a Scooby Doo about how
08:09 - 08:09
Sutton Podcast: it was going to go. Honestly, we do.
08:09 - 08:10
Speaker 6: Yeah, you mentioned there was a change in the personnel with a bit of a change in line-up as well.
08:10 - 08:28
Sutton Podcast: Some various comments from different people. It does make me wonder what game we watch because someone says rubbish at right back and I'm looking and he's not playing at right back. So it's fine. But Gabriel, what did you think of the change line up and the slightly tweaking formation?
08:29 - 09:04
Gabriel: Well, We all know that Steve Arnold offered a gift Saturday against Oldham at their first goal. And it was discussed that he was not himself lately. So, yeah, I wasn't surprised about his replacement. Other than this, you cannot say that we have a clear starting 11. All kinds of experiments were done. So you have to change when the results are bad.
09:05 - 09:41
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, I mean he did try to counter their sort of, their passing and all the rest of it didn't necessarily work, but we did limit their chances. But we have the first half, I mean if you watch the highlights, I think the highlights show about 2 events in the first half. But Will had a chance I think and it just didn't fall for him. So I mean, to me, it seemed a bit bitty, not very fluid, a lot of huff and puff. And there wasn't much to get us going or any other players going as well.
09:41 - 09:45
Sutton Podcast: But Gabriel, how was the first half for you? What anything stood out?
09:48 - 10:32
Gabriel: To be honest, lately, it's a bit of a masochistic experience to watch that and you keep waiting for something to happen then it doesn't. Look, if we split the football field as the screen in front of me splits, defensive third, middle and offensive third, I just feel that we really hate the midfield. We are not able to keep the ball in the midfield and we are not able to intercept the ball in the midfield, which would give us the chance for countering. If we look at the figures, my hunch is that we have better possession in
10:32 - 11:17
Gabriel: the offensive third than in the midfield. We're trying to pass over the midfield most times and we only have 2 actual midfielders as I said that also in the previous podcast with you. I feel that we're trying to play 4-4 or actually even 6-0-4. This is my opinion and this is... Okay, you cannot say that this is programmed. This is what we want from the start. The opposition teams are pushing us to do that and also the fact that we don't have actual midfielders besides the Ipswich guy on the pitch. Yeah.
11:18 - 11:23
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, no, fair enough. Paul, what was your thoughts on the first half?
11:25 - 11:25
Speaker 6: It might
11:25 - 11:28
Sutton Podcast: have been different seeing the nice warm sofa.
11:28 - 11:58
Paul: Yeah, it was lovely cracking the first half. I think there's 3 elements, isn't there? There's 1 around Steve's strategies around this, then there's about getting them across to the players and them understanding it, and then there's the execution. And I get a sense that we've got more than 1 game plan, obviously, and he's mixing those up. But I do get a sense that we understand them and we're trying to knock the ball about. We've got our plan and the guys know what to do, although we're still mixing up the formations and team quite a bit. But
11:58 - 12:25
Paul: it's the execution of it, isn't it? And it's through the passing, it's the dribbling and it's the shooting. And there's some good stuff out there, but it is inconsistent and there are mistakes, and I think teams are sniffing that and they're definitely getting at us and pressing us, which is leading to more mistakes. And we're just losing the ball a lot. And some of that is players being closed down I think and so that they're just trying too hard to look for the through ball or looking for the dribble that isn't there perhaps so so there's
12:25 - 12:51
Paul: a lot of that going on we gifted away a lot of possession, Gates said we're knocking it around a bit they kept the ball well and definitely figured us out how to get at us. But we had the better, you know, for all that, actually, you know, they didn't have any shots, particularly we don't think they had any on the first half, 1 in the second half. But and we had a couple in, as you say, David's got 1 block, the glass went wide. So there was some. So yeah, against the team who can put the
12:51 - 13:00
Paul: ball in the net you know 45 minutes didn't give them much of a sniff so I thought if there's 1 highlight out of that first half it was it was defensively wasn't it especially after oldham
13:01 - 13:25
Sutton Podcast: yes absolutely I think I think dan ganamandi actually tweeted that we've not been very good this half, we could be too up. So it's like we've been rubbish and we could be too up against this side. But Gabriel, how were you sort of feeling at half time? It was nil nil. I personally was reasonably confident. I was like, oh, okay, we'll do this in a second, we're attacking the right end, we'll get it. But what were your thoughts?
13:26 - 13:53
Gabriel: Yeah, I agree. They didn't create much, they didn't have much chances, the defence was okay, So, and we looked like we could do something, though we didn't. We were close into creating some good moments that were missed by little. Yeah, I was moderately confident. I didn't expect us to lose at that moment for sure.
13:54 - 14:26
Sutton Podcast: Well, very early in the second half, the incident now is way down the other end. Gabriel, I don't know where you were standing yesterday, Paul, you had benefits of replays I'm guessing. But Gabriel, what did you think of the penalty? Firstly, it took him like 45 minutes to give it. The highlights must have been cut because it didn't seem that long in the highlights but it seemed like a really long time between the incident and actually giving it. But what were your thoughts Gabriel? Did you think it was a penalty?
14:26 - 14:52
Gabriel: No, I didn't have a good angle to see but I didn't feel that he extended his arm. I didn't feel that watching the highlights either. I put the highlights on those on slow motion and he does move his arm a little bit but this is National League, it's not Premier League, it's not VAR and I've seen much much more blatant penalties not given in this league than this 1.
14:53 - 14:59
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, in this game, never mind this league. Paul, what did you see?
14:59 - 15:25
Paul: Yeah, I thought we were a little unlucky when we saw as I say I was in front of the laptop and the As I saw it live I thought no way and then So they was we saw the replay as as they were still discussing it and when I saw the replay I thought oh We might give that and and there we are but as Gab said, you know, it was a bit so borderline and, you know, we've seen a lot less. So it was, yeah, that was a bit, I thought Finn was really unlucky, but
15:25 - 15:45
Paul: he did hit his arm, but yeah, it was, yeah, it was a bit harsh, wasn't it? So, yeah, and I could see why the ref didn't give it because of the angle he was at. You can see from his angle, or certainly from the replays that, you know, he wouldn't have had seen that. But some officious linesmaning. Yeah, gave it to me.
15:46 - 16:02
Sutton Podcast: He didn't even flag. I don't think and that's why it was confused before all the go away with that and Or it just looked worthy Then making more of it and it seems but then it seemed like 5 or 6 step plays kind of jump Yeah, I'm starting a moment or actually in my I
16:02 - 16:15
Paul: mean was he giving himself some thinking time or was he being, you know, persuaded subconsciously by players running over? Who knows? Yeah, it was it was it was unlucky, wasn't it?
16:15 - 16:30
Gabriel: But how many times did this happen at the other end? I remember Rexam, I remember I think York City, no, no, with Boston United at 0-0. How many times have we seen this at the other end not given?
16:30 - 17:04
Sutton Podcast: Well, this is what Stig kind of hinted at in his post-match and said, well, hopefully we won't get the fourth apology in a row from the referee. So, yeah, it's obviously something that's playing on their mind a little bit. And he was kind of getting a bit antsy with the fourth and so on. I mean it did lead to us to have a little bit of pressure at that point, whether that was the fact that we didn't have to be so cautious because we were already the goal down and they had a bit more freedom but
17:04 - 17:35
Sutton Podcast: they did start some pressure but it was just always that sort of last ball that final moment. Do you think they're Either trying to be too clever or do you think they just? Try if they're not trying enough and pull so what was what what if you were told you're going into talk to him tomorrow? To help him sort this out would you be saying let's go back to basics boys or would you be saying keep trying those through balls and keep trying all the tricky stuff?
17:36 - 18:07
Paul: I mean I don't know I'm not a football coach but obviously after a few beers I am but I don't know for me it feels like just the execution of it. And I don't know whether it's that, I don't know whether it's that, then just trying a little bit too hard, that actually just trying to thread the ball that's not there, or they know that chances have been few or far between and goals have been. So, yeah, I just wonder whether it's just actually just relax a little bit maybe. I don't I mean, I don't know.
18:07 - 18:37
Paul: But in terms of the, you know, in terms it feels like we're it feels like, yeah, we've I think we've placed some good sides. I think Aldam are a decent side and I think this lot aren't too shabby either. So and I think we did make some chances. So yeah, it's just about finishing them, isn't it? But that goes back to that whole, you know, 23 year olds, young heads. So, you know, I mean, love to have some experienced heads in there. And I think this is common theme, isn't it, people? And maybe maybe the manager
18:37 - 18:54
Paul: does as well. It's just the opportunity to get them, but just some some heads in there to have a word with the lads or just or actually play that that pass that gets them through and to a decent shot on goal. So, but it's improvement on Saturday. 100%.
18:56 - 19:16
Sutton Podcast: It could be kind of like what you were saying is they're thinking too much of what they're supposed to be doing rather than just reacting. They think, oh hang on, what do I need to do in those split seconds things go. But Gabriel, what do you think? Do you think it is too much, too little or just not used to the way we were?
19:19 - 19:57
Gabriel: It's hard to answer to this. What I see is that for this young team it's a matter of confidence and when the positive run is there they do score and when the bad run is there, they start missing or not doing the last pass rightly. So now we're in a bad run and we need to snap out of it as soon as possible. Because This is a very close competition, a lot of equilibrium and you can find yourself in 3 games at the bottom and you can find yourself in 3 games, especially now at the beginning,
19:57 - 19:58
Gabriel: in playoff positions.
19:59 - 20:00
Speaker 6: Yeah. I
20:00 - 20:34
Sutton Podcast: mean, he did make changes and changed the formation a little bit, brought on Matt Rush, which seemed to have a bit of an impact, a bit more direct running of people. We had a possible penalty, if it was against us it would be a probable penalty. What was your view of that? I think Steve described it as the guy had him around the throat. So Gabriel, what was your view on that penalty? I think it was will that it should have been given to.
20:35 - 21:01
Gabriel: It's hard to say again. You have to have consistency. You can see what scandals happen in Premier League for the 50-50 calls. You know, he gave 1 for the guest team, he should have given this 1 also. If you give the 50-50, give it for both.
21:01 - 21:09
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, yeah. It's a balance of probability. Paul, what about you? What was your view on that? Yeah, I agree
21:09 - 21:27
Paul: with gab He set the bar didn't he so he set the bar with that with that penalty for them So that makes it 1 for us in terms of what happened there. Again, I think it was close, but yeah, and I'm sure every fan in the world thinks that their terms are done by, but sometimes, I mean, cool, give us a break.
21:27 - 21:59
Sutton Podcast: Yeah, no, absolutely. We discussed this to death last year about you remember all the ones that go against you don't necessarily remember the ones that go for you. There was a couple of bits and pieces but Jadon had a lovely chance. Now I know Jadon scored a great goal a few weeks ago where he just absolutely lashed it and I believe he was told you've got to just calm yourself down and place it and he got the ball and calmed himself down and placed it. It's like, lash it! Did you think that was an equalizer? That
21:59 - 22:04
Sutton Podcast: was the moment and at that point he's like, oh, we might have to finish now. Oh, sorry.
22:04 - 22:15
Paul: Yeah, it goes back to that decision making again, doesn't it? So yeah, no, I thought that was a decent chance, wouldn't it? And at that point, yeah, I think the laptop went.
22:17 - 22:20
Sutton Podcast: OK. There's bits you didn't see at the end there. Yeah,
22:21 - 22:22
Paul: I didn't actually.
22:22 - 22:26
Sutton Podcast: What did you think at that point with Jadon's chances? You think that's it, game done?
22:27 - 22:53
Gabriel: Yeah, when the pass went towards him I thought that, but also the pass was a bit slow but also his finishing it wasn't it was on the right foot not the best position maybe he took some time to set the ball and then yeah he chose the to put the shot not at the opposite post.
22:55 - 23:33
Sutton Podcast: Look how much more generous you are than me. It was a bad pass, it had been wrong for 2 weeks and I'm going, you should have just hit it harder. So at the end there was, I've said it before, don't mind this, there was a little bit of handbags. The Gateshead players were goading the Sutton fans behind the goal. They were doing the 2 fingers and crying faces and stuff like that and several of the Sutton players, I think Charlie Waller was the first, did not like that at all and went charging over and I don't
23:33 - 24:03
Sutton Podcast: think there was anything there but it was a bit of pushing and shoving and it's like you know what, something players are coming over to defend the fans. I like that. Then there were some noises directed towards Steve and some of the players as they were coming off. Do you feel, Gabriel, we'll start with you, do you feel this is a bit of frustration just boiling over with people because it is a results business? So we can discuss Steve's comments, but do you feel this is just frustration boiling over at the moment or a sign of
24:03 - 24:04
Sutton Podcast: worsening?
24:07 - 24:53
Gabriel: There is the frustration of course. There weren't many good home games. We are doing a lot of efforts in the social media to attract fans. And then they are here and they watch poor performance. You will not get them. It will be harder after they watch 2, 3 bad performances. It will be very hard to bring them back again. Yeah, of course there is frustration. You would expect it. We had a good start. Probably also this led to higher expectations. People are still speaking about playoffs. Yeah, I'm Not sure that we can do that
24:59 - 25:02
Sutton Podcast: And Paul what about yourself, I mean, I don't know if you saw already the handbags. Oh yeah
25:02 - 25:30
Paul: I looked it back yeah I saw there was a lot of noise on the social media so I looked it back and stuff and so and yeah I mean you know you're professional footballers and if you can't handle 30-16 year olds winding you up then really you know you need another sport but saying that you know there is a difference between banter and just downright abuse and I don't want to do the guys down I thought they I thought they had a I could hear the atmosphere all going and I don't want to hear them and
25:30 - 25:34
Paul: they were at the game I wasn't so you know they've made the effort to go there they were making
25:34 - 25:50
Sutton Podcast: a great noise at Oldham as well. I don't think from again I wasn't at that end at that time but I don't think there was any abuse other than he's a keeper standing a couple of feet away from us which he's always going to get so yeah
25:50 - 25:51
Paul: I mean
25:52 - 26:19
Sutton Podcast: but yeah I think some of the other people that were in there were saying well I didn't hear an awful lot of stuff obviously when players go down in Jimmy when you had it in the last 10 minutes, obviously our pitch is so beautiful and comfy that all the players had to have a little nap every now and then just to sort of feel it out properly and they obviously got the old wangawanga wangawanga, so I don't know whether 1 of them was upset about that but yeah it did seem a bit odd but I did
26:19 - 26:20
Sutton Podcast: like the players.
26:20 - 26:43
Paul: Yeah and where is that line? I mean it's tricky isn't it? I'm sure people who understand this behavioural psychology and all that kind of stuff better than me but where is the line? I don't know but I know I know maybe it's how close the pitch is how yeah and is to the but I know the olden game as well the olden guy got well wound up in the after from the abuse he was getting but but
26:43 - 27:05
Sutton Podcast: yeah Absolutely Yeah, yeah, Did you guys see Morrison's interview yet or not?
27:06 - 27:08
Paul: I saw a snip hit. Okay.
27:10 - 27:22
Sutton Podcast: He was fuming after the game, fuming. If I can get my little walk around, I don't talk to anyone, but I'll get my little walk around and see him come on and he was utterly fuming, did this brilliant interview, came off of him fuming,
27:22 - 27:23
Speaker 6: so how
27:23 - 27:58
Sutton Podcast: did you do that? But what he was basically saying is he knows it's a results driven business, he knows that we lost the game and we've not won a few, but basically if we took away the result, everything else that happened in the game, he was quite pleased with it. He said that defensively we've tightened that up, we've kept them, as you said about the goals from open play, they've only not scored a couple of times and then they've got a penalty which will not be given. So I thought it was actually a really good interview
27:58 - 28:26
Sutton Podcast: with the, I understand your frustrations, I get why everyone's frustrated, this is what we're trying to do and this is what we did well and I was like That's again something you were saying earlier about the the plan the execution I think letting us know what they're trying is quite important thing as well Because people won't get on their backs as much if they can see what's going on. But ultimately, it is a results business. If you come away from a game that you've been awful and you've won 1-0, you're far more delighted than playing really
28:26 - 28:35
Sutton Podcast: well and losing a game, 1 will. But what's your guys' thoughts on the result as per the execution of the plan?
28:36 - 29:00
Paul: I mean, it's it's 8 points out of 24 at home, isn't it? So you've got to keep an eye on that. That is that's not that's pretty that's hovering down around the relegation zone form. But but I've always thought this was I was I was never too fussed about in terms of winning everything and getting straight back up there. Actually, you've got to look at the bigger picture, aren't we? If this team did miraculously get up there, I just don't think it's,
29:00 - 29:00
Speaker 6: you
29:00 - 29:32
Paul: know, it wouldn't last up there for long. So I know we'd bring some other players in, but it feels like, you know, he's on a 3 year contract, definitely feels like a transition year, feels like it's going in the right direction, some really good stuff around the defence on, yes, last night. It's just the, it is the consistency factor. And we knew that bringing in Academy players and youth players and under 23s and things like that, then that's what you're going to get. And I just think if we, you know, If we are serious about moving
29:32 - 29:55
Paul: up the table a little more, then we do need, you know, what would we have done for a Butes or an Eastie? I saw Butes scored. What would we do for them too, in their prime, in that team or someone like that? And I just, yeah. So if our game plan is to bring these players on then we've got to give them a little bit of slack to be brought on.
29:55 - 29:55
Sutton Podcast: Exactly.
29:57 - 30:18
Paul: So yeah so I think there's a lot of positives you know definitely an improvement on Saturday, decent defensive performance so yeah I'm not sitting here panicking but or getting too angry about it because this is what we're gonna get all year I think it's gonna be inconsistent and we're gonna win some lose some you know that's what you get that type of player
30:18 - 30:22
Sutton Podcast: yeah until obviously the long run after Christmas, don't you?
30:22 - 30:22
Paul: Yeah, of
30:22 - 30:32
Sutton Podcast: course. You hear that here first. Gabriel, what do you think about the long strategy, or Should we be expecting everything now?
30:33 - 31:13
Gabriel: Well, I'm not very optimistic at the moment because I'm bothered about this game plan a bit, with skipping the midfield. I don't know where the strategy came from, from its first not having the good midfielders. You have seen what the difference Charlie Lake made in spring. We don't have this quality in the present team. Is it because we haven't looked for them or is it that we play like this because we don't have them?
31:15 - 31:15
Speaker 6: I don't
31:15 - 31:26
Gabriel: know how to answer to this question yet. But in order to play a better football, we definitely will need midfielders that know what to do with the ball and can control the ball and can take 1 man out.
31:29 - 32:00
Sutton Podcast: Someone did mention the experienced head, getting someone in there, like you mentioned, Eastie or Abuse, and then they sort of said, yeah, but you've got to be careful because you get the experienced head, you might get some of the others experienced heads that would all be like, whoa, not that 1. So Yeah, it's a real tricky 1 there. But to finish off the game, what we're gonna do is the good, the bad and the funny. Paul, you're gonna have great ones, you're at home. I mean, it's the whole match they experienced. So, it's in the tele.
32:00 - 32:28
Sutton Podcast: The lamp was a bit bright, I don't know, but we'll do a good band in 2 seconds. Gabriel, what was good for you yesterday? Again, it's the whole match experience, it doesn't have to be on the pitch. What was good for you?
32:28 - 32:46
Gabriel: But no, We'll stick to the pitch and we'll say that the defence was compact, was doing its job properly. And that if you have a solid foundation, you can build on that in the future.
32:46 - 32:47
Sutton Podcast: Perfect.
32:50 - 33:14
Paul: I agree with Gavin's side there, but to pick something different, I would go for, I thought that I was wondering about the crowd and whether anyone would be there and would there be much any noise or atmosphere and such like, but actually it was over 2000, wasn't it? And we were making plenty of racket, as I say, I heard it on the on the lats at all games. So fair play to everyone who went and got behind the lats. You could definitely hear it.
33:15 - 33:25
Sutton Podcast: Good. I'm not gonna be able to give them any praise for the rest of the season. I did early season to limit how much praise I can give him. What was bad for you, Paul?
33:26 - 33:38
Paul: What was bad? What was bad? I think it's giving the ball away too much. I think it's just gifting too much possession. It's quite frustrating, I think, is what I'd go with.
33:38 - 33:39
Sutton Podcast: OK, Gabriel?
33:40 - 34:02
Gabriel: So, besides what Paul said already, it's the fact that we are not able to win balls in the opposition half. Winning that allows you to catch them unbalanced and to score easier. It's much easier to attack against 3 defenders than against 10. That's simple.
34:03 - 34:32
Sutton Podcast: I think someone, again, I can't remember where it was, but someone brought that up earlier about why won't we press in the goalkeeper so far out of goal. It's like he's actually a really good ball player, so if we go to press him, suddenly we're leaving another player free elsewhere so he's good at passing the ball so it may have been a decision to say well let's not press that keeper so much and the defence as well because they've got the ability to pass it around and all we're going to do is end up being out
34:32 - 34:47
Sutton Podcast: of position. I don't know, I'm not saying that that is true, but come from someone, mention it to someone. But Gabriel, what was funny for you about the day? The officials, if you like, I don't know.
34:47 - 34:59
Gabriel: Yeah, but that's not funny at all. I mean, it was funny in the odd sense of the word, you know, waiting for the deciding if it's a penalty or not.
35:00 - 35:09
Sutton Podcast: Apparently the referee was driven to the ground by his dad Paul what was yours?
35:09 - 35:11
Paul: I have I have no funny
35:15 - 35:46
Sutton Podcast: It's freaky at all and Right. Excellent. So we're gonna look forward to Braintree. Unfortunately, the way this is not working at the moment. So you're not gonna hear the interview now, but at least I get 2 listeners on the podcast. So that's good news, because we'll have to listen to it to hear it. And now I'm delighted to be joined by Stuart for our free Q preview. Some of you may remember Stuart from our very in-depth series of scouting reports that I tried to do for the start of the season. Then Morrison signed about 400 players,
35:46 - 36:09
Sutton Podcast: so I did abandon it eventually. But thanks a lot Stuart for giving up your time. We're doing this ahead of the midweek games so let's hope there's nothing like the Gateshead situation where they suddenly put a new manager in place. Hopefully not. Can you tell us a little bit for anyone who didn't listen to the last 1, a little bit about yourself and your background as a Braintree fan?
36:09 - 36:43
Speaker 1: Sure, absolutely. Yeah. So I obviously follow Braintree. I'm a season ticket holder with the club. Born in Braintree. I'm from Braintree. Live here. I suppose ingrained Braintree person. I've always liked football as a youngster, when I was young, still now, I sort of watch Arsenal, follow Arsenal, Ian Wright being my hero. But I think really what, what done it for me, I always watched the local game over the years. But only sort of dip my toe in, you know, when it was random game, no real planning with it, with some mates or whatever. But when we
36:43 - 37:12
Speaker 1: went through that lockdown period, that for me was that when you really I suppose understood the kind of implications that that has on your local football team and where your big sort of elite sides have got all the sort of finances yeah that can cope with those kind of situations and they get a lot of their their income through other means other than the matches. It was really, I suppose, highlighted to me that, you know, Braintree was just a bit worried, I suppose, many clubs, you know, what's gonna happen. So actually that kind of, I suppose,
37:12 - 37:24
Speaker 1: got my interest and also got me thinking actually I should be kind of involved in this some way or the other, watching or whatever it might be. So since then, I've just bought a season ticket and just gone, you know, rather than just dipping my toe in. So I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yeah.
37:24 - 37:36
Sutton Podcast: I mean, a lot of people do that. They're like, oh, it's getting expensive. Let me just go and see. I probably won't like it. And then suddenly it's like, oh, where do all those years go by? I'm spending a lot of money at this place.
37:36 - 38:03
Speaker 1: No, absolutely, for me it's more the community thing, you know, I've gone to Premier League games and things over the years, you sit there, you watch the game with whoever you're with and that's it. But actually as you go to these games regularly and certainly before we got promoted, there was no segregation. You're just standing where you want to stand. You change up where you want to watch the game every time, meet different people, get chatting, you know, and learn more history than you ever knew because there's no really information out there about the club, it's
38:03 - 38:06
Speaker 1: just what people tell you, you know, so it's really interesting.
38:06 - 38:30
Sutton Podcast: No it is great, what I used to love about Sutton is it was, I was allowed to be as quiet as I wanted, I didn't have to interact with people but then suddenly you look through your Facebook feed and there's loads of people that you know from Sutton and then this happened and there's even more. What were your hopes and expectations for the season and how has it matched up so far?
38:30 - 39:00
Speaker 1: Well I think if you look at Braintree, the fact we got promoted through the playoff channel, and favourites to get relegated out of the National League, survival is the kind of hope, the most hopeful expectation we're using the same sort of vein here. Yeah, so I think, I think, yeah, survival will be great. It's going to be tough. We know it's going to be tough. We sit in 20th at the moment in the table. So we're above relegation. That's after 14 matches. So so far, so good.
39:00 - 39:00
Gabriel: Right. Yeah. Far so good
39:00 - 39:27
Speaker 1: right, they've managed those expectations and I think ultimately it's always gonna be a tough start for us having a brand new team right so you're trying to get that cohesion and getting get to a gelling and playing together to be where we are after 14 games after many transfers in and out as we've had already this season. Yeah I think we're okay you know and we can build on this you know.
39:27 - 39:29
Sutton Podcast: Yeah and you lost a great goalkeeper as well but...
39:30 - 39:33
Speaker 1: He did! Is the woman on your bench okay? Is he?
39:33 - 39:34
Sutton Podcast: He's doing alright. Yeah, he's
39:34 - 39:34
Speaker 6: biding his
39:34 - 39:36
Sutton Podcast: time, he says. And it's a third of the season. 14 games is about getting
39:36 - 39:36
Speaker 6: on for a third, so yeah, we're good.
39:37 - 40:00
Sutton Podcast: That then makes me realise there's not that much left of the season. What do you see as your side's main strengths and weaknesses at the moment and are there any players that we should look out for that you guys are like, he's the 1, he's the 1.
40:00 - 40:32
Speaker 1: Cool, so weaknesses I guess, addressed first is aforementioned, we're a brand new team, right, so because of that we've got 1 player from last season that we retained, as we sit today that we've retained, so with that comes a huge challenge in getting the squad playing together, the understanding of what the management team want to do and how they want to play and how they see how the team should work. And I think coupled with a small club, we don't have a huge amount of finances in the club. So actually even going after the perceived best
40:32 - 41:05
Speaker 1: players is not really an option for us. So it's having to be fruitful and trust, I guess, the guys that are scouting other players. I think there are real weaknesses, but then I suppose it also leans into our strengths slightly. So for me, our management team, right, so the fact that what Angelo is still in charge, he's got a great coaching staff as well. And the fact we've kept that consistency these last 2, 3 seasons, I think that actually plays into a strength for us because you know the fans are completely behind him you know he's
41:05 - 41:37
Speaker 1: had sort of 2 seasons of success winning a trophy each time and so you know he's got the total backing of us certainly I think that means he's got the backing of the board as well and he's very ambitious I think he does has a reputation that follows him that I think is growing and As much as your question there is about players to watch out for I think he's a manager I'm really impressed and I think he he knows what he's doing when it comes to coaching business outside of that sort of managing brain treatment
41:37 - 42:02
Speaker 1: so you know he's very hands-on with everything that he does he's got a good good idea good vision and you see that coming through the squad and as I mentioned a brand new set of players and It takes time for them to get them to gel. Now we saw this the last 2 seasons as well. We didn't start the strongest but we started to get a way up the table and I think absolutely he and his coaching staff will be a strength for us And what he tends to do is assign the right players at the
42:02 - 42:11
Speaker 1: right time. So we'll get a, I think, foundation. We've been starting to see, you know, we've conceded less goals than Sutton, by the way. Right. So, you know, in that respect, I'm not going to talk about the goal.
42:11 - 42:12
Speaker 6: That's not
42:12 - 42:14
Sutton Podcast: a boast, I'm going to be honest. I think most people have.
42:15 - 42:40
Speaker 1: But you know, he'll get that defensive structure, that defensive unit playing well, it's taken a bit of time. We've had a few ins and outs. We had Joe Grimm would come back to us from Barnet on loan, but they recalled him because he was doing brilliantly. You know, back to the board again. But he's actually got the players that we've got playing really well as a unit. I thought what we're lacking is goals, really. We're not really losing games by loads of goals, you know, it's driven by the odd 1 and usually that comes down to
42:40 - 43:04
Speaker 1: a lack of kind of concentration or a mistake in the game, you know, these moments that you get punished for. But what we're definitely seeing now, the last 3 games or so, is the players are putting in a lot of effort. Right. So I think it's taken them a bit of time to understand what Andros expectations are of them. But now we really see the kind of effort they're putting in with the 1 recent game, 1 nil, where they've lost 2, 1 in the last game. And it wasn't through lack of trying or hard work or
43:04 - 43:28
Speaker 1: effort. Once you see that, once you've got that in your team, you will get the results. We're in the league, it's going to be tough. There's brilliant teams in this league, right? And so we're the kind of newcomers, if you like, now to it. And some of our players are playing or have come from the division below, you know, so we're kind of having to really kind of grind it out sometimes, but I think, you know, I think that will be a strength of ours. We know how we plan, we have 2 big strikers up front,
43:28 - 43:49
Speaker 1: right, and we don't tend to use them both at the same time, and I haven't seen another team yet with the kind of sort of frame of these guys right so I think that makes you kind of think well we're going to try to knock it up hold the ball up a bit you know long ball here and there, relax crosses and corners right so you can kind of see we're not necessarily going to get the ball down and play the way that we've been used to the last couple of seasons. So it seems like a
43:49 - 44:21
Speaker 1: slight philosophy change, but you can see trying different things at the beginning of the season every time. And we started to now settle into our rhythm. So I think fundamentally those kind of areas for me are almost weaknesses that come sprints, you know, the transition. Excellent. Sorry you said about players to watch yeah we've recently made us a signing or loan sign I should say a Jermaine Francis it was for last season he's on it now and actually him coming into the side has given us a bit of an edge that we didn't have. I think
44:21 - 44:37
Speaker 1: he's got a lot of pace, he runs forward, he's always looking to get in the box or he plays out wide and stretches the play, wins a few penalties which is really hard you know which has helped us so far And I saw him at Chelmsford, I watched him a couple of times last season. So I was quite excited when we got him, you know, so
44:37 - 44:37
Sutton Podcast: I think it
44:37 - 45:03
Speaker 1: made a difference to us. And we've got Kyrell Lisby playing for us as well. And, you know, he's a young lad, he's got a lot of energy, Not frightened to try things. I think yeah, he's got that yeah sort of doesn't have that issue We've got you know fear so he'll and he'll try the odd past We'll kind of run it put the run at players where some of the kind of more seasons kind of play Yeah So I think those 2 guys As long as I can find a bit of consistency and sort of stay
45:03 - 45:08
Speaker 1: with us a bit longer than some others, then I think that will help us out. So them are 2.
45:08 - 45:30
Sutton Podcast: Perfect. And what kind of game do you think it's going to be against Sutton? I mean, you mentioned your defense is relatively strong, your attack is relatively weak and we would probably switch that around. So it could be a lovely board draw or it could be a free-flowing loads and loads of goals. How do you see it going? What do you think could influence it?
45:30 - 46:07
Speaker 1: So I would fully expect that we will be finding it tough. We're going to have to dig in and really kind of retain our shape structure and our focus on what our game plan is. Because I think ultimately you've got what, 23 goals? But you've conceded 23, right? We've scored 9. But we've conceded, I think it's 15 or 13 or something so you know we're not we're not scored enough actually so I don't think we're going to get an abundance of goals, even though you obviously haven't conceded a few of them, we've got the home advantage
46:07 - 46:33
Speaker 1: in a way. I think we'll find it tough. I think we'll, we've seen teams come here already, which there's been quite a close game, but not a close game for the fact there's been loads of chances. I think we'll almost limit your chances but I don't think we'll create enough of our own chances and because of that you'll start to kind of push forward, put the pressure on right and see that kind of the game might be there for taking a we-main-the-goal that way. That seems to be how it's happened so far. So I think the
46:33 - 46:46
Speaker 1: first half kind of, you know, not a lot happening, right? We're trying to feel each other out and that's where we'll then start to see the chance of thinking the second half. And my prediction for the score is going to be a 1-1 draw.
46:46 - 46:48
Sutton Podcast: Okay, that was the next bonus question.
46:50 - 47:11
Speaker 1: I think it will be a one-one, we don't tend to score much more than that, you know, we'll be lucky to get 2 goals but I think we'll be able to, as long as we concentrate enough we've got the players available, we'll be able to hold our own at the back enough there'll be kind of 1 goal that will probably go in because you know you've scored 23 goals right so you know how to find the net so you're not even that respect but I think we'll be able to get a one-all and I think we'll
47:11 - 47:13
Speaker 1: end up conceding first
47:13 - 47:13
Paul: I will
47:13 - 47:15
Speaker 1: get the I think that way around.
47:15 - 47:47
Sutton Podcast: Okay, fair enough. Well, Morrison doesn't draw many games, I'll be honest. I think it might only be 3, it's almost coming up a year. And 1 of them was ridiculous at Milton Keynes and the other 1 was the other day near nil so it's all the other week sorry and so we never know but looking forward to it and thanks very much for your time and your insights and good luck for obviously most of the season not all of it most of it.
47:48 - 47:50
Speaker 1: Thank you very much. No worries.
47:50 - 48:02
Sutton Podcast: Thank you. But what are you guys expecting from Rangetree? I've already said that I'd get a reaction, but what are you expecting on Saturday against France.
48:04 - 48:17
Gabriel: To turn around this this bat run for form, it's quite needed and luck should play a little bit of a part also because it's been against us lately.
48:19 - 48:19
Speaker 6: Yeah, Paul,
48:19 - 48:23
Sutton Podcast: what do you reckon? They're struggling at the moment.
48:23 - 48:56
Paul: They are, they're 1 of the weaker teams aren't they so I have my hopes here I don't think we are 1 of the weaker teams at all. So I think I have high hopes but as I said we talked about The consistent I mean who knows I mean obviously I am podcast Prediction champion. I don't like to shout about it, but but I've got absolutely I've gotten on right this year who knows what team will turn up and who knows You know, it's a there's not inconsistency between games. It's inconsistency in games So who knows all
48:56 - 48:59
Paul: turn up, but I think I do fancy our chances of getting something
48:59 - 49:38
Sutton Podcast: Someone said that to me last night It's like it's not being consistent overall. It's being consistent within the games. You've just used almost exact same words. Right, you've segwayed me nicely into the prediction league, so thank you for that. So first of all congratulations to Stuart who is now the fourth member of the maximum club because he predicted a 1-0 loss with no goalscorer so he's the fourth person to get the full maximum points. Paul, early prediction obviously the same rules apply you can change it later on but what's your early prediction for Saturday?
49:38 - 49:41
Paul: I'm gonna go for a cheeky 1-0 win.
49:41 - 49:43
Sutton Podcast: Okay, lovely. Gabriel, what's your prediction?
49:45 - 49:51
Gabriel: Well, I noticed that every time I say 1 1 it goes this way so I'm gonna say 1 1
49:51 - 50:03
Sutton Podcast: Okay, fair enough. Well, I'm gonna go with a big reaction nice big reaction probably gonna lose a goal early and then get it.
50:04 - 50:06
Paul: I'm assuming you mean 1 4 Mike?
50:06 - 50:43
Sutton Podcast: 1 4 yeah yeah yeah yeah 1414. Gents thank you very very much we're gonna wrap up this episode of Sutton Podcast. As always, we appreciate everyone's attention. Love that for Joe. Get involved in the knowing me knowing you segment. Which match would you, which team would you love to see us play in a friendly match throughout history? Brazil 1970, that would be awesome. I can play my own little game of B for this. But yeah, do follow, like and share this episode of Sutton Podcast on social media. Tag us in at Sutton Podcast. Don't forget to
50:43 - 51:16
Sutton Podcast: subscribe, like and all the rest of it on your preferred platforms. Leave us a review and a little thumbs up on YouTube and we are back on Sunday with Mark and Joe and we'll be talking about a Brombury match and we'll be looking forward to the Birmingham match because I'm allowed to mention it whether the players are or not I don't care. So as always thank you to our sponsors LuckystarGin, big thank you to the 2 of you today Gabrielle and Paul and thanks to the listeners. Hope you've enjoyed this episode, Take care and goodbye.
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