Watson facing tough choices for Heed trip
GATESHEAD renew hostilities with Chesterfield for the first time in 60 years when travel to the Proact Stadium tomorrow.
Manager Steve Watson hopes to have a full squad at his disposal for the first time when they head for Derbyshire.
Loanee attacking pair Luke Armstrong and Luke Molyneux should both be fit after recovering from hamstring injuries.
Experienced defensive pair Mike Williamson and Scott Barrow also expect to be available, though both are short on match fitness.
Watson has decisions to make at the back and up front, especially as the struggling Spireites have brought in new players.
Giant striker Tom Denton was signed from Alfreton Town, while the loan market has also been tapped.
Experienced midfield man Jonathan Smith and winger Josh Kayode, from Stevenage and Rotherham respectively, have joined the club.
Martin Allen’s men won their first three games after dropping into the National League from League Two but then lost their next six.
The rot has been stopped to some extent with draws against Dover and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Chesterfield, second in the attendance chart with an average so far of 4,716, are six points worse off than Gateshead after 11 games.
A big crowd and impressive stadium should bring out the best in his young side according to Watson, Scott Boden facing his former club. Former Newcastle star Watson said: “It will be good too hopefully have everyone fit and available for selection. “Chesterfield are a big club at this level, a Football League club in all but name, and it will be a good environment for the players to perform. “The fact we are going there looking to win the game shows where we are and how we have done so far this season. “We were disappointed to lose against Braintree last weekend and could be better than where we are in mid-table. “We are only two points from the play-offs and we have always responded after an indifferent performance.” Gateshead’s last visit to Chesterfield in 1957 resulted in a 5-3 defeat - the Heed hoping for more joy on their return tomorrow.
We are only two points from the play-offs and we’ve always responded after an indifferent performance Steve Watson