Gulls look to fly away with win for coach
GATESHEAD will look to put one over old boy Gary Owers when they take on Torquay United in Devon tonight.
The Gulls took the 375-mile trip yesterday up to the North East in desperate need of points.
Torquay are third-bottom in the Vanarama National League, six points from safety.
Owers took over in September and the former Sunderland man was briefly assistant manager at Gateshead under Malcolm Crosby before both got sacked in November 2015.
The 49-year-old will doubtless be doubly keen to put one over his hometown club and edge closer to safety.
Before Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Tranmere – a game watched by Gateshead boss Steve Watson – the Gulls had kept three clean sheets in two wins and a draw.
Owers said: “We need to play with a lot more intent and conviction. We have to find that again very quickly because we’ve got an important home game against Gateshead.”
The Tynesiders, who host Guiseley in the first round of the FA Trophy on Saturday, have a problem at left-back.
First-choice Scott Barrow is recovering from a head injury and fellow left-sided defender Jamal Fyfield has not travelled to Torquay.
Either Newcastle loanee Callum Williams or Theo Vassell, both right-sided defenders, could switch to the left.
Another option would be for one of the left-sided midfielders, JJ O’Donnell or Paddy McLaughlin, to drop back unless Watson goes with three centre-backs – but that is unlikely.
Their most experienced player, Russell Penn, will replace youngster Luke Maxwell, who has returned to Birmingham City.
Watson said: “We don’t play in the league again until Boxing Day when we take on Hartlepool at the International Stadium.
“It’s important therefore that we get something from the long trip to Torquay, ideally all three points.
“They are in a precarious position but have improved of late. We need to climb the table and need to play consistently and put a run together.
“It will be a tough game at Plainmoor but we have been doing well on the road and want to keep that form going.”