Sutton United’s season may have had an indifferent start but there’s no reason why Matt Gray’s side cannot have a strong second part to the campaign.
The Us currently find themselves 16th, seven points from the Play-Offs but a comfortable 12 points above the drop zone – all while being without a number of injured key players.
They have regained some much-needed momentum in recent weeks, only losing once in their last four league games – a 2-0 defeat away to table-topping Leyton Orient.
It’s in stark contrast to their form beforehand, which saw them win once in nine outings and, with players regaining fitness ahead of the January transfer window, perhaps the return of their current casualties will eclipse the need to add too many new additions.
Sutton’s injury woes began on the opening day of the season when last season’s Player of the Year Ben Goodliffe was stretchered off with a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament.
It sparked an injury ripple throughout the squad providing Gray with arguably his toughest period as Sutton boss as defenders Jon Barden and Coby Rowe as well as midfielders Harry Beautyman and Alistair Smith all subsequently suffered extensive spells on the sidelines.
Aaron Pierre’s late August arrival was supposed to be the answer to the Us defensive problems in Goodliffe’s absence.
However, the Grenadian’s ten-minute league cameo has meant Sutton have been left with just one recognised centre-back, Louis John, for the majority of the season.
Even though both Goodliffe and Pierre are set to return, Gray has already suggested signings will be made in order to freshen up the squad and provide cover – with defence still the most likely area to strengthen.
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On Goodliffe and Pierre, Gray said: “They have both been declared medically fit, but there is a difference between being medically fit and football fit. They will need at least three weeks to get up to speed.”
Whether Sutton decide to secure an out-of-favour defender or a loan deal remains to be seen but one certainty is Gray will not be rushed into making signings – only bringing in players who have the right mentality as well as the quality needed to improve his side.
Moving up the pitch, Craig Eastmond, Beautyman and Smith are a perfect midfield trio which can be rotated to complement the opposition’s style with Adam Lovatt also proving his worth when called upon.
Josh Neufville and Will Randall have impressed on the flanks as well, the latter currently Sutton’s top scorer with five league goals while Enzio Boldewijn is another option out wide as the versatile Dutchman can feature on both wings if he is not required in defence.
Having scored just 19 goals from 22 league games, upfront is the other key area that needs to be addressed, either in this window or the summer.
While youngsters Tope Fadahunsi (2 goals) and Kylian Kouassi (1 goal) have provided Gray with welcome, if not unexpected options, the entire front line have only scored seven goals between them.
Although Sutton may have been without an out-and-out goalscorer last season, the goals came from multiple providers which off-set any noticeable void.
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Currently Donovan Wilson, Omar Bugiel, Kwame Thomas and Kouassi all fill the mould of a physical striker whilst Fadahunsi offers pace and agility with Gray perhaps needing a different type of striker to widen his array of goal threat.
Lincoln City loanee Charley Kendall’s arrival in the summer was supposed to be just that but the 21-year-old has been unable to showcase his worth as he has so far struggled with Sutton’s style of play.
Whilst Sutton do not boast a sizable budget, expect Gray to bring in at least one or two astute arrivals at both ends of the pitch to potentially make a Play-Off push possible.