Gateshead manager Lee Cattermole has revealed he understands why supporters are concerned by his side’s form, but is determined to continue working hard to improve their fortunes ahead of a big week.
The Heed slipped to the bottom of the National League table last weekend after a 6-1 home defeat to Kieron Dyer’s Southend United, with the visitors scoring all of their goals inside the opening 45 minutes.
Supporter concerns and a letter to the board
The defeat provoked an angry and frustrated response from the International Stadium faithful at half-time and full-time. That was followed by Gateshead FC Supporters Society confirming they had sent a letter to the club’s board to raise their concerns and ‘raising a series of points, questions and member concerns’.
A visit to a Wealdstone side sitting just outside of the National League relegation zone is next up for Cattermole and his squad on Saturday afternoon. The former Sunderland captain is adamant the hard work he, his staff and his squad are showing can trigger an upturn in fortunes.
He told Chronicle Live: “All of my decisions are made with the best interests of the club and my desire to get the football club right is there and I am trying my very best to make sure it’s there. My worry is that it’s not there on the pitch at the moment and that’s why I get that they are worrying.
“It’s their football club, they’ll be here long after I am - but the only thing I can say is I am working unbelievably hard to get it there and I want to get it there quick and soon. Once it comes on the pitch and they see it, they’ll regain the confidence, results help with them.
“I have no doubt in terms of every decision I am making is to help. I want the performances on the pitch to back up the hard work we are putting in and at the moment, I don’t think it’s showing just how hard we are working behind the scenes.”
A busy week ahead
The visit to South London kickstarts a busy week for Cattermole and his players, with a home game against Altrincham on Tuesday night followed by Worthing’s trip to the International Stadium. Far from being daunted by the hectic schedule, Cattermole has insisted it presents an opportunity to regain some belief and reiterated his belief in his squad.
He explained: “It is the start of a busy week and that’s the great thing about football, we could be sat here in a week’s time and things could look very different and that’s the belief we need to have. There is a lot of fight in us and for me, it’s getting that result, could be a win, a draw, a clean sheet, and that’s football.
“I believe in the squad we have put together and hopefully we see them flourish in the coming weeks.”
Neil Cox joins the setup
There is a new face within the Heed setup after Cattermole confirmed former Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers defender Neil Cox has agreed to help out. Cox has spent time as an assistant manager at AFC Wimbledon, Notts County and York City over the last decade, as well as taking charge of Scunthorpe United during the early months of the 2021/22 season.
His actual role within Cattermole’s staff is not yet defined, but the Heed boss believes the former Premier League full-back can help his squad as they look for a much-needed win.
He said: “Neil is someone I have spoken to over recent weeks and he’s a very experienced coach at the level and he has been a very good assistant manager. I’ve played against his teams when he was at Wimbledon and he’s someone I’ve enjoyed conversations with and, as I have said, if I can bring someone in to help us, and he is someone that will be helping as of today.
“We haven’t discussed that [a defined role], we have just said come in at a busy time for us and it’s all about the players.”
One player that will definitely miss the visit to Wealdstone is striker Ash Boatswain after he received an international call-up from Montserrat and marked his ninth senior cap by scoring a brace in a CONCACAF Nations Cup win against Turks-Caicos on Wednesday. His absence will hand a big opportunity to recent signing David Eguaibor to stake a claim for a regular place in Cattermole’s starting eleven on the back of scoring his first goal for the club in the defeat against Southend.
The Heed boss praised the Cove Rangers striker for the improvement he has shown in training and described the 22-year-old as ‘chomping at the bit’ to make an impact.
“Ash has worked really hard for us and sometimes a change in environment can help, a little sunshine on his back and hopefully he can bring some goals back with him.
“But David has a great opportunity ahead of him. He trained really well today and I watched the Harrogate game back to do preparation for Saturday and he ran away from defenders and got into some difficult areas. It was a difficult first half for him but I’ve been really pleased with him in training because he’s improving, he’s getting sharp, his finishing is getting tidier and he’s chomping at the bit because he’s had to be patient.”
