Tynesiders must get something against the Poppies

Date: Monday 25th January 2010, by Tynesider

Gateshead face Kettering Town at The International Stadium on Tuesday night (7:45pm) with Ian Bogie set to make changes. Some enforced through injuries, some because of blunders and one possibly a new signing.

The offical site match preview highlights the possibility that goalkeeper Paul Farman maybe dropped for Jim Provett. Farman made a horrendous gaffe in Saturday's match against Luton, but to bring back Jim Provett would be harsh on the youngster (and most Heed fans sanity after some of Provetts displays before being dropped). Farman has been steady at the back since coming into the side, and is a promising young keeper. However, we're at the stage of season where decisions do need to be made on form not sentiment, but in our opinion a straight choice between the two (assuming a keeper isn't one of the signing the manager is trying to make) this one is as they say a no brainer.

Gateshead will be without Kris Gate who has a badly cut ankle. The Tynesider's captain had to leave on a stretcher against Luton, with many fans fearing ligament damage. After having stitches put in he'll likely also miss the Barrow Trophy game on Saturday. Steven Richardson is also set to have a spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury picked up on Saturday. Darren Williams is expected to come back in, and Bogie hopes to have a new signing in the squad for tomorrow night having agreed terms with two players (The Chronicle reporting that we're looking at signing upto four players). Andy Ferrell is heavily rumoured to be one of them, so it will be interesting to see if he turns out for us or York at home to Newport in the Trophy.

Kettering have had a rollercoaster of a season so far. Reaching the heights of challenging for the league and going out in extra-time at Leeds in the FA Cup, to losing their Manager (Mark Cooper), having their new Assistant Manager sacked immediately after that cup defeat and maybe more crushing their Chairman pulling his finacial support after failing to land a deal for a new stadium in the town.

Now managed by their goalkeeper Lee Harper who thwarted us down at their place (thwarted maybe a tad generous as in truth we were hammered, 4-0), the Poppies are trying to change their style of play to a more attack minded approach, recently adopting a 4-3-3 formation. Influencial defender Exodus Geohagon followed Mark Cooper to Peterborough and enigmatic striker Moses Ashikodi unfortunately went to fellow strugglers Ebbsfleet United. Harper has brought in goalkeeper Nathan Abbey from Rushden (played against us earlier in the season), strikers Anthony Robinson and Kweshi Appiah in on-loan from Peterborough.

Kettering lost on Saturday at leaders Stevenage by 2-0, putting up a courageous display but ultimately being unable to threaten goalkeeper Chris Day's net. Kettering will likely be without influencial midfielder Andre Boucard tomorrow, he was hospitalised after suffered a horrific facial injury at Stevenage.

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Last time out...

New stadium...

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Tynesiders must get something against the Poppies