Chris Agutter, Head Coach of Sutton United, is optimistic as the club prepares for their first home game of the 2026/27 Enterprise National League season. The U’s will face Altrincham at the Borough Sports Ground on Saturday, 15th August, with a 3pm kick-off. Agutter believes the team has made significant progress since their last home game against Altrincham in the 2025/26 season, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
The U’s opened the new season with an impressive 3-0 victory away to Woking, their biggest away opening-day win in 59 years. However, Agutter is quick to point out that the team is far from reaching their full potential. 'Probably the biggest positive was we were well short of what we can do and what we will be,' he said. 'So that’s just a great, great record, a great achievement.'
Agutter acknowledges the importance of building momentum early in the season. 'It’s game at a time,' he said. 'The next game, that’s the attitude. It’s a cliché for a reason because it’s true.' He adds, 'We’ve got off to a great start, but you’re only really ever as good as your last result in football.'
The Head Coach is also focused on the physical and tactical aspects of the team’s performance. 'The biggest takeaway from the week is the level of demands, the intensity, the robust conversations, the standards being reinforced has been bigger than it’s ever been this week,' Agutter stated. 'We’re certainly not relaxing. We’re off to a good start, getting comfortable. As I said, it’s one game. It’s three points. A very good three points against our rivals. But it means nothing if we don’t back it up.'
Agutter highlights the importance of home form, noting that 'your home form is often the platform for a really successful season.' He is also looking forward to the support of the home crowd, saying, 'We’re looking forward to it. We’ve had a decent run of form in pre-season and, yeah, it’s nice to be winning games of football on the home patch, but that’s nothing compared to winning competitive games.'
The team’s upcoming opponent, Altrincham, presents a different tactical challenge. 'They’re very much possession-based, play through the sides,' Agutter explained. 'Got nice variation in terms of how they build up. Try to overload the centre of the pitch, try to play through the centre of the pitch.' He is confident that the team is ready to face this challenge, having made significant strides since their last meeting.
Overall, Agutter remains positive about the team’s prospects, stating, 'The best bit is we’re nowhere near what we will be, which is exciting.'
