Grimsby Town will be boosted by the presence of the new management team in the director’s box at tonight’s game.
Rob Scott and Paul Hurst will watch their new charges, ahead of their official appointment at tomorrow’s press conference.
The home supporters are hoping that the news will encourage the players to put on a super display, as they will be out to impress the new bosses.
The news has generated a great deal of positive excitement around the town, and everybody is hoping that the ingredients are now in place for the Mariners to make that final push towards the play-offs.
Gateshead manager, Ian Bogie, will have to lift his side after the haert break of missing out on a trip to Wembley last saturday.
The Heed lost their two-legged semi final 3-2 on aggregate to their North East rivals Darlington.
However, their league performances have been good of late, and include that incredible 7-2 victory away at Wrexham just a few weeks ago.
That game was just one of seven straight wins in February, but the Heed are yet to win this month.
Vital Quotes:
Before his last game in charge as caretaker, Grimsby’s Dave Moore told Mariners Player :
‘Gateshead may be flat after their loss on Saturday and if they are, we need to try and take advantage.
‘We need to start with a high tempo.
‘We’ve done reasonably well at home and we have a big week with three games at Blundell Park.
‘But you need to win that first one to go into Saturday with confidence.
‘We’ve got a little run of home games but tonight’s is the most important now’.
Ian Bogie reflected on the bitter disappointment of last weekend when he spoke to the club’s website :
‘The FA Trophy is now history, it was a blow not to get to Wembley, but we are professionals and have to bounce straight back at Grimsby.
‘There are a dozen games still to play. We can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves and must respond in the right manner against Grimsby and then at home to Crawley Town on Saturday.
‘They are two big games and ones we need to be up for. We want to get back to winning ways and two good results this week will give everyone a lift’.
Grimsby Town Team News:
Micky Cummings is available after his suspension.
Kenny Arthur trained on monday, and is likely to reclaim his place in goal, having warmed the bench last saturday.
Peter Bore still has the groin problem that kept him out of the game at Bath, and is again unlikely to feature.
Player to watch: Michael Coulson
Michael is relishing his role on the right hand side, and helping himself to valuable goals.
His interplay in the last third of the pitch has often paid dividends for the team.
Gateshead Team News:
Gatesgead manager, Ian Bogie, is considering several changes after a winless run of five games.
He could well be without captain Ben Clark, who picked up a leg injury in Saturday’s FA Trophy semi-final exit.
If Clark fails to recover, then former Hartlepool trainee Carl Jones is likely to deputise.
James Curtis looks set to retain his place, despite a slight hamstring strain.
Striker Gary Mulligan, who has recovered from a groin strain, is likely to be kept sidelined because of a virus.
Player to watch: Paul Heckingbottom
A vastly experienced left back, he has made over 300 Football League appearances for six clubs.
His career began at Manchester United as a trainee before he moved to Sunderland. He has also played for Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and hometown club Barnsley
He joined Gateshead initially on loan in January 2010 from Mansfield Town before signing on a permanent basis in the summer.
Match Facts & Stats
The reverse league fixture was a drab affair at the International Stadium on tuesday, 21 Sept ending 0-0.
Tonight will be Gateshead’s first trip to Blundell Park since 1975.
On Sat, 22 Nov ’95, as Gateshead United, they caused an FA Cup shock by beating then third division (League One) Grimsby Town 3-1.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 26 March, Home v Tamworth FC
Please note : This game kicks off at 1pm.
The early start is to avoid a clash with the televised Euro qualifying tie, Wales v England, at 3pm.
