Introduction
In the latest episode of Sutton United Talk Time on Podcast, I was joined by debutant Carl and regular guest Johnnie for a season-end chinwag titled Winnable Games. We covered the final match against Woking, player departures, and the question on every fan’s mind: was this season a platform to build from or a missed opportunity?
Carl joined us fresh from comms duty and with a proper family connection to the club, while Johnnie, author and long-time Sutton voice, offered his signature insight (and plenty of National League Cup scepticism).
Episode Highlights
We kicked off with reflections on the Woking match, a decent performance that somehow ended as just another draw. As Johnnie put it, “Lots of promise, missed chances and a solid but unspectacular result.” A theme that could easily sum up the entire season.
The discussion naturally drifted into the retained list and player departures. Carl shared the emotional side, noting how his daughters would miss Josh Coley, while Johnnie provided the financial and strategic rationale. League Two wages don't quite fit a National League budget.
We also tackled Sutton's continued struggle with chance conversion, especially when we’ve got a 20-goal striker. Carl urged the team to strike while the iron’s hot, and both guests echoed the frustration of trying to walk the ball in rather than simply having a go.
Guest Insights and Interactions
Johnnie’s goalkeeper perspective brought real depth to the discussion on shot selection, pointing out that National League keepers aren’t saving rockets from the edge of the box. Carl, meanwhile, highlighted the need for bravery in front of goal and the benefits of making defenders do the work.
When it came to the National League Cup, Johnnie didn’t hold back. “It’s blood money from the Premier League.” While Carl agreed it wasn’t exactly magical, he did point out the upside of attracting new fans, especially young ones.
Key Quotes
"We had six points worth of winnable games, just didn’t get the results." – Carl
Other gems included:
"If you've got someone with that quality in your midfield, why not have a go?" – Johnnie
"You’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot." – Carl
Takeaways
The foundation is there – A 12th place finish with a near-new squad isn't bad. But as Johnnie noted, it's only “OK” and we’ve got to aim higher next time.
Finish matters – A strong start next season could build serious momentum, especially with a growing and younger fanbase behind us.
Let them shoot – Whether it's Lewis Simper from 25 yards or a rebound scramble, fans (and players) might need to be more forgiving of efforts that don’t hit the net… yet.
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