We’ve been chatting to Mike at the Sutton Podcast about how his team’s first season as a Football League club went.
1 – How would you sum up your team’s 2022/23 season, and why?
Job done…. Would have taken 22nd with my head if offered at the start of season. Yes, the heart and soul crave going one better than last year, but realistically we need to hang in there for another couple of seasons. 14th is very respectable, look at the attendance table, and we are well down the bottom.
From 30 mins in when Ben Goodliffe got injured up to mid-Nov, we were scrapping for every point. Finishing mid-table was a dream. Then we went on a brilliant run, got the magic 50 points, and just ran out of steam! The last 12 games were not a great watch – lots of huff and puff but little result.
2 – Which players stood out for you and why?
Craig Eastmond, Omar Bugiel and Jack Rose. When they weren’t in the team it was really noticeable. Jack had a difficult start but one of our key players. Omar is a player who does all the dirty work, everyone hates him when playing against them. Eastie is Eastie…… Been a top player for years; no idea why we managed to keep him for so long but delighted!
Massive shout to Joe and Enzio, who probably played more games out of position this year than in favoured role.
3 – What were the biggest disappointments of the season, and why?
Injuries. I know everyone gets them, but all long-term impact injuries to key players in the same position were shocking. Starting in the first half of the first game with Ben. Because most of them were on the pitch it wasn’t even anything we could alter in training.
4 – Which matches stand out for you, good and bad, and why?
Got to shout out to our local rivals, the “big” established league teams of Wimbledon and Crawley. Both of them were kind enough not to try very hard in our matches and gifted us four wins. Not bad for a “tinpot nonleague sh*te” club, I guess.
Colchester and Rochdale away were both hard but utterly predictable…….
Grimsby at home was a hard one as they should not have put in any effort due to the Cup QF coming up, but they did us. Also, Walsall away had a rare mistake from Jack Rose, giving them an undeserved point.
5 – How do you rate the job your current manager has done?
I have to be careful here, as I’m sure Matt will have a court order against me soon……. Amazing job, amazing bloke; seems he does everything right!
6 – What is needed over the summer if you’re to improve next season?
The refresh. Going to need a brilliant summer of recruitment. Several key players moving on, and teams are sussing us out. But again promise me 22nd and I’m having it!
7 – What is your website/YouTube channel/ Twitter account please, so we can promote your work?
@suttonpodcast on all of them, but don’t follow if you are looking for something insightful, witty, or interesting.
