Confident Bogie looking for victory; BLUE SQUARE PREMIER.

AFTER seven games and five defeats, Gateshead have been ordered to belatedly "hit the ground running" to revitalise their Blue Square Premier season, writes STEVE BROWN.

The Tynesiders have struggled with life in the national level of the Conference, and endured an awful last week.

Former Newcastle starlet Martin Brittain broke his leg in two places, then Gateshead were thumped 4-0 at Kettering.

But manager Ian Bogie - who faces former Port Vale team-mate and Wallsend Boys Club graduate Tommy Widdrington, manager of Salisbury City, today - remains convinced that his side can do more than merely survive in their new surroundings. Provided they start winning.

"It's been a disappointing week, with Martin's injury and the result against Kettering," Bogie said. "The lads have been a bit down and it's my job to pick them up, we have to keep moving forward.

"The Ketterings, Yorks and Lutons, all teams we've lost to, will be up there in at least the play-offs at the end of the season, so while it's disappointing, we can't be too downhearted.

"Our aim was to consolidate in this league, and it still is. We're not just talking about trying to finish fifth-bottom.

"From what I've seen I think we can still have a big say in this league, but we need a win. Confidence is a bit low but I have belief in my players, and they believe in themselves.

"They're doing something that they love doing, but if they want to continue doing that, we have to start putting points on the board. The good thing is we're not adrift at the bottom.

"Salisbury won't be easy, they've gone into administration but it hasn't hurt them too badly, they're still getting results.

"Tommy Widdrington is a former team-mate of mine at Port Vale, a Wallsend Boys Club lad, and he's done a fantastic job at Salisbury. I've got massive respect for what he's achieved there, against adversity.

"He's got a good, young side and we'll have to be at our very best to get something. We'll have to be a lot better than we were against Kettering if we want to compete.

"It's a crucial game and we're looking forward to the challenge. But we'll have to work hard, cut out the stupid mistakes which keep costing us goals and start taking responsibility from front to back.

"We've got another massive game against Chester on Tuesday, so it's vital we get something from these two games if we want to sustain ourselves in Conference North.

With Brittain out for some time following a successful operation on his double-leg break, Bogie is also likely to be without hamstrung centre-back pair Chris Swailes and Carl Jones.

However, Christophe Ascherl and Stephane Pelonde are available, while midfielder Alex Francis could deputise in defence.

But with injuries and suspensions mounting, Bogie could yet enter the loan market for reinforcements.

"That's an option," he said. "If the right player becomes available this club will always be interested, but it has to be quality."