Johnnie Jackson has emphasised the importance of tomorrow afternoon’s derby at Sutton United to the squad.
We were beaten both home and away last season by our local rivals and the manager is determined that we don’t see a repeat of that in the pursuit of a successful campaign this time around.
“My players know the magnitude of this game,” said Johnnie. “They know how important it is, not only because it’s a local rivalry but because of what we want to do this season. It’s important that we try and back up good performances and get back-to-back victories and try and go on runs if we want to achieve anything this season.”
You can see the full interview below, plus watch footage of key players on the way back after injury. You can read a summary of the interview below.
What have you made of Sutton’s progress in recent seasons under Matt Gray and Jason Goodliffe?
I think Matt has done a great job there, he’s someone I know well from our days at Tottenham together.
He gets plaudits for what he has done on tight budgets. He’s done excellent and got them through the leagues and they’re established in the Football League now.
They’re a really difficult team to play against and certainly this season they’ve been a tough nut to crack. I’m not expecting an easy ride there whatsoever – it’s going to be a tough game, typically with a Sutton team we’re going to come up against.
With the extra spice of a local derby, it’s going to be a tough game. Obviously, we’re buoyant from the victory at Colchester in midweek and the games before that. Even though we didn’t win those, I thought we played well. We could have been sat here with four wins, what with the victory over Coventry in the cup as well.
We’re in a good place, we’re confident and if we turn up in the right frame of mind and with the same attitude as Tuesday – we’re a match for anyone.
You’ve been involved in North and South London derbies as a player, there’s a big crowd expected, what do you need on occasions like these?
You need energy, you need commitment. The supporters need to see that you understand the magnitude of the occasion. In the game, you need to leave it all out there on the pitch – I know that my team will be doing that.
If we do all that, I think we can come away with a positive result. Sutton are the type of team that if you don’t turn up with that sort of mindset and attitude then you come unstuck.
My players know the magnitude of this game. They know how important it is, not only because it’s a local rivalry but because of what we want to do this season. It’s important that we try and back up good performances and get back-to-back victories and try and go on runs if we want to achieve anything this season.
Saturday is an important game as far as keeping our momentum going, with that added touch of a local rivalry.
Paul Kalambayi, Huseyin Biler and Jack Currie are all working outdoors now. You’ve nearly got a fully fit squad to choose from?
All those boys are getting closer. I think the weekend will come too soon for all of them. PK (knee) has been the long-term absentee, so his progression has been a case of slowly but surely, but he is getting a lot closer. Jack (quad) and Hus (hamstring) are less long-term, but these boys will be back before you know it.
Hopefully, when they come back, we don’t lose some others – then I’ve got a full roster to choose from and some real difficult decisions to make about the eleven and the eighteen involved on a match day.
I’d have some really difficult decisions to make, but you want to be in a position where it’s really difficult to pick an eleven, pick seven subs and leave a few people out. It’s the horrible part of football, but there are important decisions that need to be made.
At the moment, I’ve got twenty players who are desperate to be in the team and can make a case for playing – that’s where this squad is at. Only eleven get to start, but you’ve seen the impact that the guys sat behind have had when they’ve come on and we’ve spoken to them about how important the squad is and having a positive impact when they’re involved.
For those Dons supporters who haven't yet picked their tickets up, you can do so pre-match tomorrow from the away turnstiles (Gate C, turnstiles 9 and 10).
We've sold out of our allocation of 1,290 for this derby fixture. There is a fan zone for away supporters at Sutton, behind the away end, serving food and drink. For those not attending the game, you don't need to miss out on a matchday programme!
You can pre-order online from Sutton United and your edition will be sent out following the game
Main photo: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).