Since the beginning of time or at least since football came along there has always been one argument that never goes away, FORMATION.

Every club in the world will have fans divided on how their team should play the game, Gateshead fans are just the same.

Since the start of the season Gateshead have been playing with a 433 formation with a mixture of success and woe.

Many fans have been calling for the classic 442 formation that was played with great success during last promotion campaign.

Ian Bogie toyed with the 433 formation at the back end of last season in the UniBond Play-Offs and found it to be very productive.

Having said that the side that played in the Play-offs had a lot more experience under there belt than the current crop of players. The likes of Paul Brayson and Steve Bowey who played a dominant role in that team are no longer at Gateshead after leaving for pastures new. The replacements are of good quality with the like of Stephen Turnbull in midfield and loan signing Craig Nelthorpe.

Yet many fans believe we lack the physical presence in the midfield area, the bite of a ball winning midfielder seem to be lacking in the defensive part of the Heeds game. Some fans say its Formation and others have said it's the selection of players in midfield, with a few fans asking can both Turnbull brothers play in the same team??

Its very early days in what is a new season and a new frontier for the Tynesiders, the formation and team selection argument will keep fans gossiping all season long.

At least Gateshead have a manger that is not afraid of changing things around and giving new idea's a shot, after all fans would complain if things stayed the same!!!!

Here is a possible Bogie Team Talk:

The Cod Army entertain the Heed Army on Tuesday night in the Conf North.

Fleetwood Town who won the UniBond Premier last season currently lye in 20^th place in the Conf North table.

Although Fleetwood have started the season with only 4 points from 6 games they will be very tough oppression, Town are a very physical side and will sure be out to put one over Gateshead who also won promotion from the UniBond last term.

Fleetwood played a 1-1 draw with Southport on bank Holiday Monday, here is the Highlights from that encounter:

This footage was not uploaded nor hosted by www.heedarmy.co.uk, and is supplied Via Youtube.

Craig Nelthorpe will play his last game before his 3 match suspension starts on Saturday, hopefully Nelly will enjoy his first win since his return to the Heed.

Will we see more chopping and changing in the starting line after last years leading goal sorcerer Davie Southern was dropped to the bench in an attempt to change the Tynesiders fortunes in front of goal.
Michael Rae is yet to start a game and will he get a chance to start, with the last match not producing any goals.

Hopefully the travelling Heed Army will be in fine voice and see a reward for the miles put in following the lads.

Gateshead fell to their second defeat in 6 days, this time at the hands of Hinckley United.

Goals from Gooding and Platnauer on 15 and 29 minutes was enough to see off the Tynesiders at Marston Stadium.

The match was not without controversies after a Hinckley defender was judged to have fouled Wayne Phillips on the edge of the box, and was shown a red card.

Ian Bogie Started with the 433 formation he has started with all season, but dropped Davie Southern in favour of playing Wayne Phillips in the front three.

Matt Hocking also got his first start since joining from Southport, he play at left back.

The starting line up was:

Musselwhite
Baxter
Hocking
Curtis
Jones
S. Turnbull
P. Turnbull (Captain)
Gate
Nelthorpe
Armstrong
Phillips

A trip to Leicestershire and to the Marston Stadium await Gateshead as they take on Hinckley United on Saturday.

Hinckley have started the season the same as the Tynesiders with two wins, two draws and one defeat in there opening five games.

Gez Murphy will be in Hinckley's squad for the match against Gateshead, Murphy was an FA Cup hero for Hinckley's A5 rivals Nuneaton. Gez scored a penalty to secure a 3^rd round replay with Middlesbrough in 2006.

Footage of Gez Murphy's FA Cup Moment of Glory:

This footage was not uploaded nor hosted by www.heedarmy.co.uk, and is supplied Via Youtube.

Its unclear as of yet if John Brackstone will be fit to play any part in Saturdays match, Wayne Phillips looks likely to be filling in left back again.

Craig Nelthorpe could well play his last game before his three match ban begins after Bank Holiday Mondays straight red card.

Will Ian Bogie stay with his 433 formation for this game??

Ian Bogie has plenty options in his squad and he may chop and change for the clash with Hinckley, Could we see a return for Jamie Harwood to the starting line or might we see Michael Rae Start his first game of the season after two decent sub appearances in the last two matches.

More footage, this time its from Hinckley's match against Workington Reds from the 9^th of August 08.
You can see a good view of Hinckley's ground and can hear their good vocal Support:

For details of away travel to Hinckley United on Saturday the 30^th of August contact either Tony Carter on 077137233586 or Mickey Thornton on 07913646451.

Or visit the Heed Forums under away travel:

www.heedforums.co.uk/

Harrogate Town took the spoils on Bank Holiday at The Gateshead International Stadium.

The Tynesiders started the game in great form, with the ball staying on grass and being passed about like a new born baby, very slick.

Gateshead took the lead through a corner, Craig Nelthorpe made his first impression in the game with a great deep corner to find Carl Jones in acres of space to plant a header into the top left corner.

After the goal the Heed carried on with the ball being passed about with ease, and on the attack.

Then the turning point of the match happened. Nelthorpe broke away down the left wing in acres of space,  Harrogate's Matty Young was was in trouble trailing in his wake so he decided to resort to grabbing Craig's shirt, Craig was twisting and turning to get away from his marker and his flailing elbow swung in the direction of the defenders chest. The ref, just 10 yards away judged Nelthorpe to have elbowed young in the face, the defender allegedly admitted after the game no contact with the elbow had taken place. Down Young went like a sack of spuds writhing round in agony to ensure the ref would show Nelthorpe the red card, he obliged and Nelly was gone. On this the game changed in favour of Harrogate Town and was always going to be an uphill struggle.

Harrogate drew level with a shot from outside the box, the ball took a big defection on route to goal and ended up trickling over the line (or did it?), Musselwhite did grab the ball, but it was judged to have rolled over the line and the goal was awarded.

After the break Gateshead tried to take the game to Harrogate but being a man down left big gaps for Town to take advantage of on the attack.

The closet Gateshead came to retaking the lead was when Graeme Armstrong tried his luck from 40 yards, he belted a ball towards goal, it hit a Harrogate's defenders head 20 yards from goal and the keeper had to tip it over the cross bar.

Alas, Harrogate's extra man was too much for the Heed, and the pressure led to Town taking the lead on 79 minutes when our defence was caught napping. Late on 90 minutes, when Gateshead were dead on there feet smith wrapped up the win.

A hard fought game, not made any easier when the referee was having a stinker.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 7
Did well considering

Baxter 7
Defending was his best trade on this day

Phillips 7
Ran his heart out, made some important tackles

Curtis 8
Did more work than he has all season, true battler

Jones 8
The same as Curtis

S. Turnbull 7
Was all over the middle of the park covering for the missing Nelthorpe

P. Turnbull 8 (Captain)
Gave his all

Nelthorpe 5
School boy error, don't raise you arms towards another player, or you give the ref a decision to make

Gate 8
Made some great runs forward on the attack after going a man down
Man of the Mtach

Southern 6
Static at times, showed a glimpse of last years form

Armstrong 8
Battled well up front, basically by himself but managed to get a few shots as away.

Subs:

Salvin 7
Brought on the try and help steady the sinking ship

Francis 6
Game was over by the time he got to kick a ball

Hocking (not used)

Norton (not used)

Rae 7
Made a good run through the Harrogate defence twice, unlucky not to get goal side

Attendance: 509 - Good crowd, fingers crossed the ref hasn't put them off coming back.

This is an advert on behalf of Gateshead Football club:

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The George Reynolds night will include some great story's from the man himself, from his days as a safe breaker to bare knuckle boxer to football chairman.

You will bet entertained and also well fed, there will be a authentic Indian meal served and you get all this for just £20 per head.

To buy a ticket for this great event you can ring:

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Harrogate Town travel from north Yorkshire on Monday to take on the Tynesiders at the International stadium.

Harrogate are in 5^th place in the Conf north table only two places below Gateshead who occupy 3^rd place after four games.

Town beat Hucknall at home 2-0 on Saturday, with 

This game was never got set alight by either side, with long ball being played by Gainsborough and Gateshead never getting there passing game going.

Ian Bogie kept with the 433 formation and played Craig Nelthorpe on the left of the front three with David Southern playing on the right of the central Armstrong.

A brief five minute spell at the beginning of the match seen Craig Nelthorpe terrorising the Gainsborough defenders with darting runs and whipping in a couple of half decent crosses.

The first half was a scrappy affair at times with Gainsborough happy to just lump the ball forward from both midfield and defence.

Gateshead did not seem to find the space to pass the ball around with ease, frequently the Heed had their passes intercepted through the middle of the park. a lot of the first half play was coming down the left hand side for Gateshead, with Nelthorpe being the target for many of the balls.

The right hand side for Gateshead was far from productive , with Craig Baxter not being able to get fully forward as you would normally expect. David Southern found himself dropping deeper and deeper as he found little space when he received the ball, in doing so every time Baxter found himself running towards a Gainsborough defender who was also marking the deep Southern.

In the second half little changed for both sides with Gainsborough happy to launch a long ball in the hope that Chris Hall, the Trinity winger to latch on to.

Paul Musselwhite had little to do all game, but he did pull off a fantastic save down to his left to deny Gainsborough from taking the lead. His fast reactions kept the heed in the game.

Graeme Armstrong had two chances to get all 3 points for the Tynesiders with two headers. The first header rattled the cross bar from 10 yards, the second from only 5 yards but he didn't get a clean connection.

Michael Rea and Jamie Harwood joined the game late in the second half and opened up the attacking options, Michael Rae dragged defenders around the box and brought his team mates into play more than they had been.

In fairness the result was a bit of a body blow to the travelling fans, but to keep the unbeaten record and a clean sheet away from home is a good result.

Line up and Ratings:

Musselwhite 9
Kept Gainsborough from grabbing all 3 points
Man Of The Match

Baxter 7
Never got his full game in gear

Phillips 6
Wouldn't go past the half way line all game, his game is past the half way line!!!

Jones 7
Made some good clearances as Gainsborough lumped the balls in his direction

Curtis 7
Will always pick up balls coming at him over the top

Gate 8
Only midfielder to make some probing runs

S. Turnbull 6
Was in and out of the mix

P. Turnbull 7 (Captain)
Had his moments but also drifted out of the game in spells, not helped by the long ball being played by Gainsborough

Nelthorpe 8
In the same shape and form of two seasons ago, MAGIC waiting to happen

Armstrong 7
Had two chances to win the game and was left along upfront at times

Southern 6
Is not finding the space or the time on the ball, frustration was clear to see.

Subs:

Harwood 7
Made a slight impression, gave a slightly better option down the right

Rae 7
Will maybe feel he should have got on the pitch earlier to make a difference

Francis (not used)

Norton GK (not used)

Hocking (not used)

Craig “Cristiano” Nelthorpe has returned to the place he is loved the most.

Nelly as he became known by the Famous Heed Army, returns to the Tynesiders for his second spell after his more than impressive spell during the 06/07 season. This time Nelly Joins ona three month loan deal from his club Doncaster Rovers.

Craig is a player that belongs at Gateshead, his style of play fits in perfect with the passing and flowing football that has become the norm.
His speed and control will also give Ian Bogie more options with his formations, signing Nelly isn't signing one player, its like signing 3 as he really puts in a shift when he walks out of the green stuff.

This is the second signing in recent weeks with matt Hocking also joining, Hocking has played for Boston Utd, York City and Carlisle during his time in the Pro game.

Both Player will be in line to play at Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday afternoon.

With this new site we hope to bring you a fresh way of delivering Heed news and banter straight to you on a daily basis.

Over the next few months the Heed Army Site hopes to bring you new features, so keep an eye out for what is coming your way.

Gainsborough is the destination for the Tynesiders as they take on their second away game of the season.

Gainsborough Trinity currently lye in 5^th place in the Conf North after 3 games, they have won two and lost one.
Trinity will have new signing Trevor Benjamin in their squad for the encounter , the Former Jamaica international has been much travelled of late playing for no less than six clubs football league clubs in the past four seasons.

This will not be the first time Benjamin has played against the Heed, as he played for Cambridge in the 1999 FA Cup tie with Gateshead.

Here is some footage of Benjamin in action while he was at Cambridge United:

This footage was not uploaded nor hosted by www.heedarmy.co.uk, and is supplied Via Youtube.

Wayne Phillips may have competition to stay in the starting line up with new signing Matt Hocking also fighting for first team place, its doubtful that that John Brackstone will have recovered from his ankle injury for this match.

Graeme Armstrong is in electric form and will not doubt be wanting to add to his tally of 3 for the season so far, might he have a Michael Rea start upfront with him at Gainsborough with David Southern being below par in his last two performances.

There are still Seats available for the Heed Army's trip to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday 23^rd of August.

Sorry we don't have full details of seat price for this trip.

For full details contact away Travel Co-ordinator Tony Carter via the Heed Forums, under away travel.

http://www.heedforums.co.uk/

Over the past year on name keeps popping up again and again, Craig Nelthorpe!

The Doncaster Rovers wingers has been the target for several full time clubs as well over the past year, with him going on loan to both Darlington and Halifax last term.

Its said Doncaster Rovers are not keen on loaning Craig to the a Conf north team and would prefer he gets more first team league experience.
Craig or Nelly as he became nicknamed by the Heed Army, is a exciting player who ply's his talents down the left wing for anyone who didn't see him during his loan spell in the 06/07 season.

It was reported in the local press that Gateshead had enquired about taking Nelly on loan again this season, also it was suggested that Nelly was keen on a return to the Tynesiders.

We wait with Baited breath!!

Sunday didn't prove to be a day of rest for the Tynesiders as they tore apart Alfreton Town at Gateshead International Stadium.

Alfreton came to Gateshead with one style of play, sadly it wasn't a good passing game, it was boring long ball. Gladly this suited Gateshead to the ground as they passed the ball with ease around the stagnant Alfreton.

Graeme Armstrong powered the Heed into a 1-0 lead with a thunderbolt of a shot from 20 yards, Gateshead were good value for there 1-0 lead which they carried to Half time.

After the break Paul Musselwhite was judged to have brought down an Alfreton player in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and handed Musselwhite a yellow card.
Pandemonium erupted as the veteran keeper showed his class and saved the poor spot kick, shortly afterwards the Heed ran the show.

The cry's of “there's only one Graeme Armstrong” rang out again in the Tyne and Wear stand after the Graeme had went one on one with the Alfreton keeper and came away with the ball and walked it into the back of the net.

Alfreton Town had little answer to the questions the Gateshead attack was asking of their defence, on 85 minutes Michael Rea added Gateshead third and final goal of the game.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 9
England's number one, or should be
Man Of The Match

Baxter 8
In great form, keeps firing in them quality crosses

Phillips 7
Filled the left back space well, looked good going forward as well

Curtis 8
Rock solid like normal

Jones 8
Kept Alfreton at bay

S. Turnbull 7
Had an in and out game, but signs of class shining through

P. Turnbull 8 (Captain)
Enjoying his Captaincy, Needs to be more vocal

Gate 8
Like a red rag to a bull, he charged the ball down every time

Harwood 7
Needs to keep his head up, has moments of class followed by a school boy error

Southern 7
Not settling into the Conf north that well, at least no in front of goal, find it very hard to get space on the ball.

Armstrong 9
Showing the Conf north he means Business

Subs:

Salvin 7
Always giving it all for the heed

Hocking 7
Looks very capable

Rae 8
Got a goal, lets hope he follows it up with more

Gateshead entertain Alfreton Town on Sunday afternoon, as they push for their second win of the season.

Ian Bogie's men will want to bounce back from Wednesday nights hard thought match with Droylsden, where they battled against both weather and tough oppression.

John Brackstone has had x-ray's after he was stretchered off on Wednesday night, thankfully he has no broken bones or fractures, he could be involved on Sunday after it was revealed he had very bad bruising.

Alfreton Town have started the season the same as the Tynesiders with a win and a draw under there belts from the first two games of the season.

Alfreton have much travelled striker Leo Fortune-West in their team and he was on target with two late goals on Tuesday night to salvage a draw away to Solihull.


Here is some footage of Leo Fortune-West playing for Cambridge United in the FA Cup, the Gateshead Defence will not have to give him any space in front of goal.

Gateshead's first home game in the Conf North got off to a shaky start, with central defenders James Curtis and Carl Jones both selling Keeper Musselwhite short with weak back passes.
Both instances ending in a corner for Droylsden after Musselwhite scrabbled the ball away.

Droylsden showed why they was in the Blue Square Premier last season with some slick passing on the very wet surface.
While talking about the surface of the pitch, all that was missing was Marti Pellow as it was WET WET WET!!
In the later stages of the match large amounts of standing water was gathering to form many puddles, causing the ball to stop dead on many occasions.

The first half was not an uneven affair, with both side having three decent chances, Craig Baxter having one of the better chances after beating two Droylsden defenders, only to spray the ball just past the post from 18 yards.

The second half was effected by the weather, but both sides did try and keep the ball on the deck but to little avail.

The deadlock was broke when Kris Gate scored and outlandish over head kick inside the box, to send the Heed Army Wild in the stands.

John Brackstone was stretchered off , a worrying sight to see, this was not the first injury as two Droylsden defender also had to leave the pitch after picking up injuries in the first half.

Sadly the Tynesiders lead was not to last till the final whistle, Droylsden drew back level after a poor clearance from the Heed defence landed to Droylsden and they capitalised on the Gateshead defence that did not push out. Newton netted for Droylsden.

Line up and ratings:

Musselwhite 8
Did well to grab the wet ball many times

Baxter 9
Ran his heart out, controlled well in the conditions
Man of the Match

Brackstone 7
Didn't get forward as much as Baxter but did well until injury

Curtis 7
Very shaky start, but turned it around

Jones 7
Let his head drop in the first ten minutes

Gate 6
Never made any inroads in this match, but scored a great overhead kick

S. Turnbull 7
Conditions didn't help his passing game

P. Turnbull 8 (Captain)
Battled in the middle well, but found no support on the wings

Harwood 6
Very jekyll and Hyde performance, showed his class at times but also showed little fight when it came to the crunch.

Armstrong 8
Strong, agile and solid, three word to describe his game.

Southern 6
Lack of pace and being out on the left, left Mr Southern with very little impact on the game apart from the odd cross. Although when the game slowed he did gather momentum.

Gateshead entertain Droylsden on Wednesday night, the match will be the Tynesiders first Home game since gaining promotion to the Conf North.

Droylsden fresh from relegation from the Blue Square Premier started there Conf north campaign with a 1-1 home draw to Tamworth, with Halford netting for the Droylsden.

Ian bogie has no Injury's to worry about and may start with the same eleven that started at Redditch on Saturday .

Graeme Armstrong has started the season with a goal after his great pre season which seen him fill his boots. No doubt his strike partner Davie Southern will also be wanting to grab a goal or two, after setting up Armstrong's goal on Saturday with a inch perfect cross.

Here is some footage found on Youtube of Droylsden during last season exploits in the Blue Square verses York City. Keep an eye out for former Heed transfer target Richard Brodie scoring two goals for York.