Liam Bridcutt anticipates another ‘massive game’ as Gateshead make the journey to Braintree Town on Saturday, November 30.
The Heed close out the penultimate month of 2024 with their first trip to Braintree since 2019, looking to rectify Tuesday evening’s defeat to Rochdale at Gateshead International Stadium.
Gateshead come into the weekend sitting fifth in the National League table, with their opponents outside of the bottom four on goal difference, but Bridcutt is under no illusions as to the difficulty of the challenge ahead this weekend.
“I don’t think there’s any opponent that we class as an easy target,” he said.
“Braintree is another massive game for us – the way we are as a group, our mentality is that the next game is the most important one so we’re going to tackle it as best as we can.
“Their defensive record at home is really good, so we’re going to have to be on our mettle to try and create and score goals.
“It’s been a positive week, we’ve got loads of video analysis in trying to look at the mistakes we’ve probably made, but as coaches we try to keep a level emotional approach to games, and the lads get that from us.
“It was a disappointing result in the end [on Tuesday], but for us it was about getting to the next game and looking at how we can rectify it.
“It’s always difficult when we’re playing Saturday and Tuesday as time on the grass is restricted, but we’ve really pushed the lads who have needed extra this week.”
Tuesday’s game on Tyneside did bring one positive note however, with Joe Grayson returning to action for the first time since the opening day of the season after his absence through injury.
The centre-back played the final half-an-hour of Tuesday’s game, appearing for the first time under Carl Magnay, Liam Bridcutt and Ian Skinner’s watch.
“Joe is a massive plus for us in terms of how we play and build up,” said Bridcutt.
“His attitude and his mentality around the place is really top quality, along with the quality that he brings on the pitch.
“When I watched games back from over the last season, Joe was one that really stood out to me, and I was really excited to work with him.”
Saturday’s trip to the Rare Meat Breed Co. Stadium also sees Will McGowan return to Gateshead following a two-month loan spell at Darlington in the National League North, with the midfielder re-called by Magnay on Friday.
McGowan scored twice and recorded three assists in the league during his stint with The Quakers, and Bridcutt feels his return can add a different dimension to The Heed’s attacking output.
“His work day in, day out has been really good,” he said.
“When we came in Will was already on loan, so we’ve kept an eye on him and we’ve been impressed with him.
“He was one of the first players that we had a look at when I first came in and felt that he could bring something to the team.”
