Sutton United: Out of Agutter and into the mix?
Sutton United’s 2025/26 season was more than a stumble. It exposed weaknesses that could not be ignored.
A club that had only recently been in the EFL found itself dragged into a National League scrap. That never matched the ambition around Gander Green Lane. Nineteenth place told one story, but the underlying detail was equally concerning. Sutton conceded at a rate of 1.71 goals per game, had one of the division’s weakest defensive records, struggled badly against the sides below them, and somehow made even half-time leads feel unsafe.
That is not the kind of season that leaves much room for spin.
There were individual bright spots, most notably Lewis Simper, whose goals and influence made him one of the few clear positives. But he has now moved to Walsall, which gives Sutton a familiar headache. Twelve months after losing Will Davies to the EFL, they have again watched a major source of output step up a level.
So this summer is not just about adding names. It is about changing the direction of travel.
From the dugout
The Steve Morison era ended in September with Sutton 22nd in the table and badly in need of change. Jon Meeney stepped in on an interim basis before the club moved for Chris Agutter, prising him away from Worthing after a strong spell in National League South.
Agutter was not the obvious conservative choice. His arrival showed that Sutton wanted greater energy, imagination and a stronger identity.
At Worthing, he built a side known for possession, front-foot football and clear attacking patterns. They finished fourth, missed out on the title by a single point, and looked like a team with a defined way of playing rather than one making it up from week to week.
Sutton need that direction after spending much of last season caught between their old identity and the side they wanted to become.
Manager Profile
Chris Agutter arrives with a reputation as a coach rather than just a touchline organiser.
His background is rooted in development, with time in the Brighton academy, Eastbourne Borough, Hastings United, Stevenage and Worthing. At Hastings, he helped turn a struggling side into one capable of challenging higher up the table. At Worthing, he took the club to its highest ever sixth-tier points total.
That does not automatically translate to National League success. This division can make clever ideas look fragile without a strong enough spine.
But the logic is easy to see. Sutton have not just hired a manager to pick a side on Saturday. They have hired someone to reshape the football side of the club: style, standards, recruitment and the youth pathway.
After the uncertainty of last season, that broader vision is valuable.
Summer Mood
There is a pragmatic mood among Sutton supporters. After last season, the immediate demand is stability rather than a promotion challenge. Fans want a sustainable side that avoids another relegation battle, develops a recognisable identity and begins looking upwards. The National League Cup could also provide useful income and meaningful minutes for younger members of the squad. With Agutter backed, experienced defenders added and the attack refreshed, Sutton should finish much closer to the top half than the bottom four. A strong start could raise expectations further.
Squad
Sutton’s squad profile shows a club trying to add experience around a very young retained core. The current group averages just under 24, although that figure is lifted by senior additions such as Moore-Taylor, Nightingale, Carter and Osadebe.
The retained list still contains several teenagers and players in their early 20s. The defensive rebuild looks especially deliberate, with Moore-Taylor and Nightingale adding authority after Pruti, Tizzard, Vincent, Muller and Eccleston all moved on.
In midfield, Simper’s goals and reliability are the most obvious loss, but Carter, Osadebe and Mussa give Agutter more craft, energy and experience. Sutton have not simply freshened things up; they have changed the balance of the squad. The question is whether those experienced additions can settle quickly enough to compensate for the quality and potential that departed.
Retained
- Chris Haigh | Goalkeeper | Age 29
- David Ogbonna | Forward | Age 24
- Jake Taylor | Midfield | Age 34
- Brandon Njoku | Forward | Age 21
- Charlie Bell | Midfield | Age 18
- Besart Topallaj | Defence | Age 25
- Dubem Eze | Midfield | Age 21
- Jermaine Francis | Midfield | Age 24
- Kwaku Donkor | Defence | Age 21
- Toby Byron | Defence | Age 25
- Alex Kirk | Defence | Age 23
- Jaiden White | Forward | Age 24
- Adam Reeves | Defence | Age 19
- James Fennelow | Forward | Age 18
- Dan Urpens | Defence | Age 18
- Ronny Ruiz | Midfield | Age 18
- Klevis Muca | Goalkeeper | Age 18
Players in
- Charlie Carter « Dorking Wanderers | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 29
- Emmanuel Osadebe « Barnet FC | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 29
- Temi Babalola « Forest Green Rovers | Undisclosed Fee | Forward | Age 25
- Jordan Moore-Taylor « Forest Green Rovers | Free Transfer | Defence | Age 32
- Will Nightingale « Aldershot Town | Free Transfer | Defence | Age 30
- Sam Folarin « Hartlepool United | Free Transfer | Forward | Age 25
- Omar Mussa « Wealdstone FC | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 25
- Spike Brits « Manchester City | Season Long Loan | Goalkeeper | Age 19
Players out
- Siju Odelusi | Released | Midfield | Age 27
- Lewis Simper » Walsall FC | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 24
- Davide Rodari » Dagenham & Redbridge | Free Transfer | Forward | Age 27
- Dillon De Silva | Released | Forward | Age 24
- Eduino Vaz » Penybont FC | Free Transfer | Defence | Age 24
- Jack Wadham | Released | Midfield | Age 23
- David Aziaya | Released | Goalkeeper | Age 21
- Jayden Harris » Wealdstone | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 26
- Alex Woodyard » Folkestone Invicta | Free Transfer | Midfield | Age 33
- Nana Boateng | Released | Forward | Age 23
- Ashley Nadesan » Horsham FC | Free Transfer | Forward | Age 31
- Aaron Jones | Released | Defence | Age 32
- Kane Crichlow » Dagenham & Redbridge | Undisclosed Fee | Midfield | Age 25
- George Vorster » Slough Town | Free Transfer | Forward | Age 19
- Liam Vincent » Dagenham & Redbridge | Undisclosed Fee | Defence | Age 23
- Hayden Muller » Yeovil Town | Free Transfer | Defence | Age 24
- Will Tizzard » Ebbsfleet United | Free Transfer | Defence | Age 23
- Edon Pruti » Grimsby Town | Undisclosed Fee | Defence | Age 24
- Junior Eccleston » Chesterfield FC | Undisclosed Fee | Defence | Age 19
- Jack Sims | Released | Goalkeeper | Age 27
One To Watch
Charlie Carter is the standout choice because Sutton need more than just his experience.
Last season, effort was rarely the problem. Sutton often lacked control, invention and a player capable of making the final third less predictable. Carter can provide that. He can play as an attacking midfielder or further forward and has already proved himself at this level. His local connections also give the move added significance. Simper’s departure leaves goals and creativity to replace, even if Carter is not a direct substitute. Sutton will expect him to carry much of that creative responsibility. If they are to progress beyond another season of survival, Carter could be central to Agutter’s new-look side.
Bookies’ Odds
BetVictor lists Sutton at 50/1, while Bet365 opened at 80/1. Those prices reflect last season’s 19th-place finish, considerable squad turnover and Simper’s departure. However, Sutton have recruited with more ambition than a club preparing for another relegation battle. A strong opening month could see those prices shorten, although 13th remains a more realistic forecast than a sustained promotion challenge.
