Aspin’s banking on a great Heed weekend
GATESHEAD face a big Bank Holiday weekend with Boreham Wood first up at the International Stadium tomorrow.
Monday then sees the Vanarama National League’s joint leader scorers lock horns at Sincil Bank when the Heed take on Lincoln City.
Both sides have scored 14 goals and Neil Aspin’s men have notched nine in their first two games on home soil against Chester and York City.
The same back five has started all five games but that will change tomorrow as one of the three centre-backs, Manny Smith, is suspended.
The former Notts County and Walsall man will return on Monday, Aspin having options for the Boreham Wood game.
However, those will not include former captain Ben Clark, who is set to join ambitious Northern League club South Shields on loan.
Right-back James Bolton could switch to the centre of defence, as he did on occasions under Aspin at previous club Halifax Town.
That would see attacking wide player Toby Ajala or utility man Mitch Brundle slot in as an attacking right-back.
Aspin could abandon the five-at-the-back formation, the influential Wes York back after missing the 3-2 defeat at Bromley, goalkeeper Sam Johnson a slight doubt.
Aspin said: “With Manny being suspended we have to make a change at the back and we have been doing work on that for Saturday.
“I have a few options. I might still go with three centre-halves, though I don’t have to. I could also play with a back four.
“We have had five games and I have been happy the performances in four of them.
“We have three wins and it should have been four.”
Aspin does not believe the scintillating six-goal display against York City and three in the previous home game puts any extra pressure on his side.
He added: “We want the fans to come to home games expecting us to be on the front foot and to try and score goals – that is what everyone comes to games for.
“We have done brilliantly in the first two games at the International Stadium and hopefully that will be reflected at the gate.
“While Boreham Wood have an attacking threat we do not have to set up defensively.
“We are capable of scoring goals and have to continue to do that.
“I want us to be strong defensively and, last week apart, we have been - but you have to score goals to win games and we have to be on the front foot at home.”
Gateshead’s home game against Barrow on New Year’s Day, meanwhile, has been brought forward 24 hours to Saturday, December 31.