For Gateshead F.C, last season’s abrupt end to such a promising time for the club was another unfortunate chapter to add to an incoherent history of ups and downs – from the lows of staring down the barrel of liquidation, to the highs of a national league playoff spot finish.
Having been denied access to the National League’s playoffs, the Tyneside club’s realistic ambitions of a return to the football league for the first time since 1961 quickly faded.
The realisation of the power that the local Gateshead City Council held over their future, and therefore, their aspirations of promotion became clear. But shining out through this fog of uncertainty, the development and brilliant displays of a future star in Derby County loanee Dajaune Brown maintained high spirits until his exit upon the arrival of Summer.
Gateshead’s Performance in the National League This Season
Flash forward six months, however, and the ‘Heed’s league successes continue, of course, this time, without the glass ceiling of the stadium tenancy agreement preventing any advancement in fortunes.
Having sat pretty at the top of the table for a handful of matchdays towards the start of the season, a brief dip in form over recent weeks leaves Gateshead 5th in the league standings.
However, they remain comfortably amongst the favourites for promotion come the end of the season, trailing just 6 points behind league leaders Forest Green. Having been some pundits’ favourites for the title before the season’s start, last season’s FA Trophy winners have sparked conversations regarding their under/overperformance in the league, with the club’s fanbase seemingly split regarding their performance this far into the campaign.
Amongst these concerns, the consistency of threat from their attackers remains to some, blunt, though I would argue otherwise.
The Exits of Gateshead’s Star-Studded Striking Pair
Having attended Gateshead’s 2-2 draw against Aldershot Town this weekend, discussions with members of the fanbase prior to and following the game shared reminiscences of times when Dajaune Brown and Marcus Dinanga led the lines.
Contributing a mind-boggling 47 goal contributions in 62 combined appearances, the pair emulated the Macauley Langstaff-shaped hole left in the side, following his exit to Notts County two years prior.
To some, Dajaune Brown had even been described as ‘more rounded and overall talented’ than Langstaff, netting 10 times in just 20 games, following his emergency arrival in the January window, indicating how highly the Gateshead faithful hold him in their history.
Having both left over the summer, upon the end of Dajaune’s loan agreement, and Marcus’ contract expiration exit to newly promoted Bromley of league two, the Heed’s replacement of such high-profile players was essential.
The Arrival of Owen Oseni
Such a promising young talent on the rise, the permanent signing of Owen Oseni on a two-year contract, for free, from championship Derby County was somewhat of a coup, given his impressive form in previous seasons for the likes of Nuneaton Borough, and Rushall Athletic, under which he had netted eight goals in 15 appearances, and had even won silverware (the Staffordshire Cup).
Oseni’s mark on Rushall Athletic was unquestionable, with his loan spell’s untimely end leaving the fanbase fantasising about the young striker’s promising future.
Understandably, excitement surrounding the arrival of the 21-year-old accelerated following the popularity and successes of former Derby County loanee Dajaune Brown, with many fans welcoming their new number nine with gratitude to their former striker, acclaiming the great ‘agent Dajaune’ for his work behind the scenes in making the move happen.
Oseni’s Form, and the fan Interpretations of the Player
For some, however, the arrival of the youngster left questions unanswered. Having hoped for an experienced goal scorer as the primary recruitment profile of the window, in such a crucial season for the club, the introduction of another, relatively untested, young centre forward to the Gateshead ranks sparked questions about investment, with a select group of fans concerning themselves with the idea of the ‘cheaper option’.
No doubt, this signing was indeed a risk, but Oseni’s rise to the challenge over the coming weeks was spectacular.
Netting five times in just four games over the club’s pre-season campaign, against the likes of league two Carlisle, and high-flying championship-toppers Sunderland, and others, the striker forbode an exhilarating season for the club, with many sticking their money on the Irishman to finish as the league’s top scorer come May. Whilst some may have already cashed out their predictions for the youngster, with Nick Haughton currently leading the pack with 12, it must be acknowledged that the 21-year-old really has started his first year in the Vanarama National League exceptionally well.
Netting eight times in 15 starts, claiming two assists in the process, he sits as the league’s joint third top scorer, most recently netting a Ronaldo-esque header in the club’s clash with Aldershot this weekend, of which I was present, climbing above the Aldershot central defender to meet the ball about two metres into the air. For a striker that is supposedly ‘low on confidence’ and ‘lacking conviction in the box,’ Owen’s record of a goal contribution every other game really is not bad going.
My Observations, and Predictions for Oseni’s Future
Having never attended a Gateshead game prior to this past weekend, previous conversations on twitter with various Gateshead fans pinpointed the willingness that Oseni had to run and press the opposition’s defences.
Upon seeing this first hand, I can confirm that the man has lungs of steel, somehow running sprinting from box to box for the duration of the game, without even hinting at evidence of tiring. Somehow, Heed fans have supposedly criticised the youngster for his lack of conviction in front of goal.
In response to this, I can entirely disagree. Provided just glimpses of chances throughout the game, due to some uninspiring midfield creativity, Oseni’s latching onto half-chances, creating real moments of quality, provided a brilliant advertisement for the striker’s abilities. With his intricate footwork in the box, utilisation of strength to bully the opposition out of the way, his powering runs through the middle, and excellent positioning awareness, Oseni’s placement, for the most part, was excellent.
Had the Gateshead wingers looked up before making the pass, Oseni’s positioning and invasion of space, realistically, could have seen him tally a few more goals on the night.
On one occasion, a poor ball into the attacker from the midfield saw Oseni drive into the box from the byline, jinking by his defender, before narrowly missing the far post by inches with a weak-footed strike at goal, in a moment where many of the Gateshead faithful believed the chance had dissipated.
Can Oseni Match Dajaune Brown’s Hype?
But one major question hangs above all else: can Oseni fill the hole in the Gateshead squad that was left by Dajaune Brown’s exit? Short answer: yes.
With vastly similar profiles, each featuring their powerful runs and problem-stirring movements in behind the defensive line, similarities in their builds, brilliant dominance in the air within the box, intricate footwork when required, and of course confidence in front of goal, Oseni’s potential to replicate the works of Brown last season are clear.
Whilst many think that this may be a long road of development just yet, the truth is that Oseni, from my own observations, has almost already matched Brown’s contribution, in less appearances, and will almost certainly improve over the course of the season.
At such a young age, the 21-year-old still has many years of development yet, and working under the heavily experienced Carl Magnay, with the right direction, Oseni absolutely has the potential to make the step up to league football, should he continue to improve over the course of this season, and the next.
Realistically, Oseni could well be held accountable for the promotion of this Gateshead side come May, with his ability to score crucial goals in times of need, and would then be held equal to, if not close to, the standard of respect that Dajaune gained from the club.
The club must place trust in their number 9’s clear ability, as a striker with confidence can be a lethal weapon for promotion contenders, and if this is supposedly an Oseni with ‘low confidence,’ I can only grieve for the clubs that face him at his best this season.
As a Doncaster Rovers supporter, a player of Oseni’s playing profile is the absolute dream of a striker to have featuring for your team, and I would, no doubt, be overjoyed would the Irish man ever play for my club. I am thoroughly excited to see how Oseni develops over this season and beyond, and will absolutely keep a keen eye on Gateshead and the striker’s performances in the league, hopefully attending fixtures on many more occasions.
After all, there must be a reason why Nuneaton Borough once addressed the striker as ‘the Irish Pele’.