Media Watch - Gateshead manager aiming to seal late deal

31/01/2012, by Jeff Bowron, Evening Chronicle

Gateshead manager Ian Bogie has seen talks stall on two possible signings - but has not ruled out doing some business before the transfer deadline closes tonight.

Bogie saw his reserve side progress to the semi-final of the Durham Challenge Cup with a 3-1 win over Shildon last night having won the competition last year.

A Rob Briggs header and Luke Gilbert flick, both from Martin Brittain set plays, gave the Heed a two goal cushion at half-time.

Steve Johnson pulled a goal back for the Railwaymen after the break but Briggs made the tie safe late on with another header, this time from a Chris Moore header.

The side included five players with Football League experience but Bogie did not feel anyone threw their hat in the ring for Saturday's last 16 FA Trophy home tie against Alfreton Town.

"We got the job done but the win should have been more emphatic. We could have played without a goalkeeper in the first half but then conceded a goal and it became a bit edgy.

"No-one jumped out to claim a place in the side for Saturday. We've won the game but you have to remember the standard of the opposition.

"The experienced lads should have been head and shoulders above part-time Northern League players and I always expect better."

Excessive wage demands meanwhile is the stumbling block to bringing in a striker who is a free agent after being released from a Football League club.

"We have enquired about a couple of players, one of whom is an unattached striker whose demands are way too excessive at the moment.

"Unless he drops his demands massively it will be a dead deal though as he is a free agent he can be signed after the transfer deadline.

"The other is a central defender who is tied up with a club where there is a bit of turmoil at the minute and there are a lot of politics involved.

"There is nothing concrete at this time on the transfer front but there maybe one or two developments before the transfer window closes.

"As far as my own players are concerned there have been no bids, and that includes 29 goal striker Jon Shaw who will be going nowhere."