FC Halifax Town: “I’m certainly looking for a reaction” says Sutton boss Gray ahead of clash with Shaymen

The result was only Sutton’s second league defeat of the season and leaves them without a win in their last three matches after winning five of their first seven outings.

When asked if he wanted to see a response from his side after the loss at Wrexham, Gray said: “Without a doubt, that’s been our worst performance and result for a long, long time.

“Saturday’s game will be game five of nine in 28 days, so it’s a really busy period for us.

“Obviously it’s a unique season with what’s going on and I’m sure there’ll be other teams going through similar sorts of runs, which is the way it’s going to be with Covid and cancellations.

“We’re in the middle of nine in 28 days, this is game number five. I’ve been pleased up to now but I’m certainly looking for a reaction and to try and put some more points on the board over the next two or three weeks.”

Gray says he is expecting an “extremely tough” game against Halifax on Saturday.
“Pete Wild’s done very well in his first year at the club, to get them into the play-offs,” he said.

“It’s very early days in the league, they’ve probably not had the start they would’ve wanted.

“But they’ve got some very good players there and it’ll be an extremely tough game.”

Gray was appointed in May last year and guided the club to 15th in the National League last season.

“The second half of last season we were on a great run of form, and I managed to keep the majority of that squad. I’ve added three into it and we’ve managed to hit the ground running,” Gray said.

“I’ve been really pleased with the start, minus last night’s result.”

Gray added: “I think we’ve got a good blend, a good mixture. I’ve got some good experience in the team, who have played at this level before, like Kenny Davis, Craig Eastmond, Harry Beautyman and Rob Milsom, mixed in with some young, hungry players looking to try and make their way in the game.

“So I feel we’ve got a good blend and good flexibility in the way we play.

“It should be a good game.”

Follow all the action from Sutton v Halifax on Saturday with Town writer Tom Scargill on our live blog on the Halifax Courier website, where there will also be an on-the-whistle match report and post-match reaction from Town boss Pete Wild.