The arrival of Lee Cattermole as Gateshead manager appears to have coincided with a positional shift for club captain David Ferguson, who is being prepared for a central role in a back three as the Heed head into pre-season and the coming campaign.
From left-back to centre of defence
Ferguson, 32, spent the early part of his career primarily at left-back but moved into the middle of a three-man defence during the end of last season. That switch steadied a nervy run-in as Gateshead secured survival in the National League North after a difficult first half of the campaign.
Since joining Gateshead last summer the Wearside-born defender has been a regular presence at the club and has carried the captain's armband. He previously played for clubs including Sunderland, Blackpool, York City and Hartlepool, and trained as a youngster alongside Cattermole at Sunderland.
Pre-season usage and form
Ferguson has continued at centre of the back three during pre-season fixtures, a period Cattermole has used to assess fitness and tactical suitability. Gateshead’s early warm-up results have so far been steady, featuring one victory and two draws as the manager experiments with personnel and shape.
| Opponent | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Blyth Town | Northern League Division One (friendly) | Win |
| Heaton Stannington | Friendly | Draw |
| Hebburn Town | Friendly | Draw |
- Positioning: Ferguson has been deployed centrally rather than on the left.
- Fitness: Cattermole has praised the defender’s conditioning as a reason for his continued selection.
- Leadership: As captain, Ferguson’s experience is viewed as an asset in an evolving defence.
Gateshead’s manager has indicated that regular minutes in the new role are sharpening Ferguson’s reading of play and that the centre of a back three suits the defender’s attributes. The club and its supporters will be looking for consistency from the back line as the season approaches, and Ferguson’s adaptation could be central to that effort.
Supporters seeking to follow Gateshead’s preparations should watch for further pre-season fixtures and official squad updates from the club as Cattermole finalises his plans for the opening weeks of the National League North season.
