When Leeds Rhinos' 'community coach' Paul Fletcher took over at Gateshead last week, he became their third coach in a season plagued by financial worries, contactual wrangles and doubt.

Having offloaded coach Andy Kelly and 15 of their playing staff - and having had Rugby league coaching co-ordinator Ray Unsworth step into the breach temporarily - Gateshead are, for the time being, on a slightly more secure footing. The vaunted takeover by local leisure company Kicks is all but settled pending clarification of their debts, whilst their home grown A team finds itself suddenly promoted to first team duties and bolstered by the inclusion of temporary imports from Leeds and Huddersfield.

In amongst their gaggle of 17 year olds we now find Giants forwards Chris Plume and Jon Grayshon alongside hooker John Wainhouse and second rowers Damien Kennedy and Ryan Bailey - all from the Loiners. Russell Hugill - the first Tynesider to sign for the original Thunder - has also made a welcome return to the club.

Gateshead also find themselves in the envious position of having Great Britain fitness coach Simon Worsnop and fitness conditioner Steve Harris on board in an attempt to stop the club's run of defeats. And defeat is a concept that the long suffering Thunder supporters are more than familiar with, having lost 36 of their 40 games since reforming. Thus they sit third from bottom of the NFP, their solitary point gained earlier this term in a 12-all draw with Featherstone.

But new Chairman Mike Jeffels still harbours SuperLeague ambitions. In a recent interview he said, "If we find ourselves in National League 2 I'd expect us to push for promotion... our target, which we believe is realistic, remains SuperLeague by 2008."

And they've started their long-haul in positive fashion with a narrow 20-8 defeat against a muted Hull KR last week. Despite going behind early on they were still in the game at 14-8 before fading. All reports suggest that they were big on enthusiasm and that's something Hally will be aware of.

Martin will also be concerned that two cornerstones of last season's side Brendan O'Meara and Marlon BIlly remain out of contention - pending the results of tests on Bren's shoulder this week. The jury's still out on Damian Ball who took a heavy tackle at Workington and left the field worse for wear.

Andy Ireland, who came through last week's A team victory over Oldham, could well be in contention for a bench spot and would add even more drive to the side that played so cohesively at Workington.

It's an interesting one on Sunday for sure. Gateshead have been tanned left, right and centre this season - mainly in the wake of internal turmoils. Given their new set-up and the influx of quality players and back-room staff, they will be keen to show that there's more to them than just providing 'points difference fodder' for the top six clubs.

As is typical, the week after they make big strides, they come to us - so we'll have to show them full respect. Their enthusiasm will be worth six points against any side, so Hornets need to hit the ground running and play to our full potential.

Games like these are the ones where you have to impose yourself - not just on the opposition, but on the NFP. Everyone wil be looking at the score to see just how good we are. It'll be another cracker. Be there or else - you'd be mad to miss it.