Shane Sutton: AFC Telford won't be quaking at Darlington
Skipper Shane Sutton says AFC Telford United have ‘nothing to be scared of’ ahead of their trip to unbeaten Darlington.
The Bucks go into the clash at Blackwell Meadows having lost their last three games, writes Joe Edwards.
They were beaten 3-1 by Brackley Town, 2-0 by Salford City and 1-0 at Curzon Ashton, while the Quakers have three wins and a draw to their name.
But Sutton, who was signed from Newtown over the summer, is not paying too much attention to the difference in form going into the game.
“We have just got to stick to what we have been doing,” he said.
“Apart from the first half against Brackley, I think we have matched every team that we have played so far.
“There is nothing to be scared of.”
Sutton, 28, spent several seasons as captain of Newton before joining Telford.
On how he has found the jump from the Welsh Premier to National League North, he said: “I have found it alright to be fair.
“It has been quite similar to the start of last season for me – being captain, and last year we didn’t get off to the best of starts at Newtown.
“We have lost three games in a row but, as the captain, the key is making sure that all the lads stay positive.
“We have got a good bunch of lads here and every team will go through a bad spell, we will come through it.”
Telford won 1-0 at York City on the opening day and Sutton had the task of keeping former Stoke City striker Jon Parkin quiet.
It was a physical battle, and the Bucks skipper expects a similar test from Darlington striker Mark Beck, who stands at 6ft 5in.
“I am looking forward to that,” said Sutton.
“It was a physical battle with Parkin at York and I enjoy the physical battle.
“I would much rather be marking him than some nippy, 5ft something lad who would be hard to keep track of as well.”
Sutton takes pride in organising and talking to those around him when on the pitch – leading by example.
On what he is looking for against the Quakers, he added: “it is just coming down to fine margins and fine details – everybody wants to do well for this club.
“A lot of the players in the squad want to work their way back up to the Football League.
“It’s a young, hungry squad with a point to prove.
“We have been together for six or seven weeks now and there are good signs, we are putting in some good performances and we are working hard, in training and on the pitch. The goals we have been conceding have just been coming from little mistakes – no team has cut us open.
“We have just got to stick together and keep doing what the manager tells us.”
In terms of the Telford squad for this one, John Marsden (ankle) and Jordan Gough (hip) are struggling and may well miss out all together.
Midfielders Jon Royle, Will Marsh and Joe Fitzpatrick have been left out of the last two matchday squads, but a couple of them could return to the 16.
