Paul Doswell – boss of the “pub team” Sutton United - is laughing, and not just because they have won three games on the bounce.
Last weekend’s 2-0 win over Macclesfield Town – thanks to a first goal of the season from both Ross Stearn and Bedsente Gomis – lifted United to third in the National League table.
They go to Chester – the only team to inflict defeat on promotion favourites Dagenham & Redbridge so far this season - on Saturday, with Doswell hoping their hosts fall into a trap that is playing into United’s hands.
It will be a similar story when the Daggers, relegated from League Two last season, make the trip to Gander Green Lane on Bank Holiday Monday.
Doswell said: “We will go up to Chester on Saturday morning by first class on Virgin trains with the hashtag #justapubteam.
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“That’s what most teams’ supporters are calling us – just a pub team from Sutton – and we’re laughing about it.
“They’ve said we have a sh*t ground, sh*t players, sh*t facilities and sh*t food – then we beat them and we’re enjoying every minute.”
He added: “The bigger ex-League Two clubs don’t give us enough respect when they come to Gander Green Lane.
“A lot of them are living in the past with their past glories.”
Although Doswell is chuckling about digs on social media, he insists his players are all about the football.
“We know what we are all about, we know what we are as a club and the lads have brought into everything,” he said.
“They are concentrated on what they are doing, but it is a long season and it would be nice to get as many points on the board as early as we can and see where it takes us.”
Doswell welcomes back Craig McAllister and Dan Spence to the squad, although neither are likely to feature at Chester.
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