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SUTTON United boss Paul Doswell reckons the FA Cup giantkillers are non-league’s answer to Saints.
Doswell, a season-ticket holder in the Itchen Stand, is preparing for the biggest week of his footballing life.
It will begin with Sutton’s televised FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Arsenal this Monday - and end with a trip to Wembley to watch his beloved Saints take on Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.
Arsenal’s visit to Gander Green Lane is the tie of this year’s FA Cup.
But Doswell’s preference would have been for Saints, who lost 5-0 at home to the Gunners in round four.
“I had a lovely text from [Saints director of football] Les Reed after we got the draw - he said he was just sorry they couldn’t have done better against Arsenal!” laughed the former Eastleigh boss, who has managed Sutton for nine years.
“I’ve sort of modelled us a little bit on what Southampton have done,” he continued.
“Bringing young players in, improving them and then letting them move on is not a lot different to what Southampton have done.
“Our budget in the National League probably sits with what Southampton have got in the Premier League.”
Doswell, who manages his £10,000-a-week Sutton squad for free, credits Saints for helping to develop his coaching skills.
“I was very fortunate that when Alan Pardew was manager, the club asked me to help get him a house,” explains the Compton-based property developer.
“He invited me into his training sessions and I picked up loads and loads. He’s a superb coach.”
Pardew will be a guest of Doswell’s at Gander Green Lane on Monday, along with Lawrie McMenemy and Matt Le Tissier.
Whatever the result on Monday, Doswell’s family will end the week with another memorable footballing occasion as Saints prepare to take on Manchester United.
“There’ll be 30 of us - all season-ticket holders, going up by train from Winchester hoping someone will do a Bobby Stokes!”
Doswell will present under-fire Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a £300 bottle of red wine, hand-picked by his brother, when the two teams meet on Monday night.
But he has warned the Gunners to prepare for lukewarm showers.
“I thought about putting new shower heads in - for about two seconds,” he smiled. “We haven’t done it for any other teams, but it’s not us being trying be big and clever - it’s because we can’t afford it.”
Don’t miss this week’s Sports Pink for a big interview with Totton-based Sutton Utd cult hero Wayne Shaw
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