Minnows vs the nouveau riche
> Sutton United drew Arsenal in the romantic tie of the FA Cup fifth round. Sutton are not merely minnows, they are literally nobodies from nowhere land. They’re not even in the Football League, languishing in 16th place in what is called the National Lea
SUTTON SKIPPER Jamie Collins will be back at work on a building site today despite having demolished Leeds’ FA Cup hopes.
The semi-pro centreback claimed Garry Monk and his team had shown a lack of respect to football’s greatest domestic cup competition.
Monk made 10 changes on Sunday to the side that beat Nottingham Forest in the Championship in their previous game, making it crystal clear promotion was his priority.
Skipper Collins, 32, sent National League side Sutton – the lowest ranked team left in the Cup – through to the last 16 with a coolly-taken spotkick.
He was due back at work today after a night celebrating with family and friends who had backed him to score.
“I normally have to be around the guv’nor’s house about 6.30am to pick up the truck,” said Barking-born Collins.
“I’m like a supervisor, I drive round each job in Camden and make sure the boys are working. All our work is based in Camden. I live in Hertford so the travelling is not too bad.
“We get the work off the council, so it is all refurbishment and outside work. Some of the jobs we are doing are big old jobs.
“When you get to my age you have got to look to the future. Football’s not going to last forever, so you have to get your foot in early and get something else.
“I enjoy it. It is a bit like football, you get a bit of banter and your serious time.
“It breaks up the week, we train two days each week –I work Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the building site and we train, Tuesday and Thursday here.”
Such a tough schedule would have the current crop of mega-rich young stars Sutton United defender Jamie Collins scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during Sunday’s English FA Cup 4th round match against Leeds United at the Borough Sports Ground in London. – AFPPIX
soon complaining of exhaustion and Collins admitted sometimes he was a bit “knackered”.
He said: “We have got a few older lads and if we come in not feeling the best the gaffer (Paul Doswell) lets us do our own little thing in training. He knows that come Saturday we are going to be on it.
“I know Leeds’ priority is to get promoted, and with the money that is in the Premier League now you can understand why.
“But with some of the younger players in
their first team I can’t see why you can’t play every four days.
“It shows a little bit of disrespect to the cup, which is the greatest competition in the world.
“But you look at the teams that have gone through, us, Lincoln, Oxford, and Wycombe were very close, it shows that nowadays them big boys can’t make that many changes and expect to win.
“Before they used to do it and get away with it. Everyone is getting more professional, especially at this level, and the €1 = RM4.75 fitness helps.
“The main thing for non-League players is the concentration. When you can get that right, you have always got a chance.”
Aside from the joy of the victory, Collins’ family and friends had a nice cash boost after backing him to score at any time.
A few also correctly predicted he’d be first goal-scorer, having netted all four previous penalties this season.
“I think a few of them have made a bit of money,” revealed Collins. “So they owe me a drink!” – Daily Star