TT PREVIEW

Joel discusses his team

TALKING RELEGATION

Where do we start? Ownership instability, PR disasters, appalling decisions and some dreadful appointments too long to be rectified just about sum it up. We had an in-hindsight fun, but ultimately unfulfilled few years with a top end NL budget under Daryl McMahon, which was scaled back as club legend Ben Strevens then took over. He had a shocking first year before ending his first full season well, leading into last. Even in November, the league campaign was faltering but still salvageable – certainly no danger of going down – while we were only one of two non-league sides to make the third round of the FA Cup. Then, Strevens was bizarrely replaced by his own rookie assistant, our underperforming yet irreplaceable captain was forced out by a benevolent Sporting Director, influential senior loanees were allowed to leave, replaced by young inexperienced alternatives… and we dropped like a stone. The culmination was a haunting final day relegation at Solihull. Oh, and there was that whole Egyptian investment saga which got us attacked from both sides of geopolitical warfare. Simply the most suicidal cycle of mismanagement you are ever likely to see in the National League.

SUMMARY OF THE SEASON SO FAR

In short, a continuation of the above-explained disaster. Despite new Qatari ownership (still) pending finalisation, which included with it Andy Carroll as an investor and star striker, plus other signings who have previously excelled at this and higher levels, we have been utterly atrocious.

RECENT FORM

Things were looking slightly better when we scraped past Bedford in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round via a replay before surviving several scares to get a goalless draw at Dorking. However, we’ve since been dumped out of the Cup by Spalding then lost to a Maidstone side who had been in awful form themselves, so there is no sign of things getting better.

ANDY CARROLL

It’s not been the fairytale hoped thus far. He got injured during pre-season, returning off the bench in a heavy defeat against Worthing. A first start at Bedford saw a straight red card although that, likewise the decision to disallow a headed opener, was deemed harsh. He was allowed to feature in the replay before the suspension kicked in – and it’s now over as we head to Plainmoor.

KEY PLAYERS

It’s more players who should theoretically be key. Ashley Hemmings scored thirty as the NL North’s Player of the Year, but only has three for us, just one from open play coming last week. It’s not for the want of trying or even quality to some extent, though. He needs service. Joe Haigh was also a standout player for Farnborough last term and has creative glimpses every game.

THE MANAGER & TACTICS

Well, this is it. Nobody really knows what we’re trying to do or be. Lee Bradbury has chopped and changed things on an almost weekly basis in increasingly blind hope that something comes off. Last time out saw a 4-3-3 of sorts and before we’ve had 3-4-3, 5-3-2, among others. There’s no real identity and I’ve not seen a Dagenham side be so poor at the basics. The football is mainly hoofing vaguely into areas. It’s reactive, flat and above all else boring. More than a dozen players missing games through injury already hasn’t helped, but obviously we’re chronically underperforming. The sum of the individual qualities, on paper, is far greater than what we are. I hate being so negative but this is where we’re at.

POSSIBLE LINE-UP

God knows! It’s like picking names out of a hat at the minute. I expect Reggie Young and Dermi Lusala to come back into the side. Carroll is back from suspension as I said and would have been bolstering his fitness on the training pitch so may well start.

AWAY FOLLOWING

Around fifty or so I’d say. Dspite this being my favourite trip, I won’t be one of them as I’ve found better things to do on what will be my 23rd birthday. Plus, having missed only a handful of league games in the last five years, I’m getting to the point where I need the odd one off for the sake of my sanity!

BEST OPPOSITION

Weston-super-Mare and Worthing were both good, beating us by three-goal margins, but the best I’ve seen has to be Ebbsfleet on opening day. They looked to have all the ingredients of a top side for the level so I’m surprised how things have gone since.

PREDICTION

Best home performers in the league vs the near-worst away. Time for the footballing gods to have a laugh. Of course everything points to a home win and I can’t see anything else but we have individuals capable of moments. Come on Daggers.