TT PREVIEW

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

DAGGERS

When the fixture list was released, Daggers (a) stood out amongst the early games, and with KSI’s team winning every game so far, it does feel like a big fixture, even though the 2026-27 season remains in it’s infancy. Tuesday night’s game brought frustration all-round as the Gulls could not quite break down WSM’s stubborn resistance – with some poor finishing, desperate defending and inspired goalkeeping keeping the game goalless. Although we did produce chances, it also felt like a game where Jimmy Ball is fishing around to work out his best starting eleven. Everton, Morgan, Dennis, Young and Cooke coming off the bench shows the depth that we have in our squad, they almost helped us grabbed the three points, meanwhile Matt Jay had a very tidy game around the midfield. Daggers will be a different challenge as the onus will be on them to make the running and push on…that might just suit us better.

THE LINE-UP

The line-up is tough to predict! I can envisage the combative Munashe Sundire coming back in to protect the defence, with Dan Hayfield or Matt Jay perhaps dropping back to the bench. In the attacking areas Morgan and Young can hurt any team, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Ball sticks with Westendorf alongside Moore. Defensively we look settled enough, with Savin playing well in the last two games, Wannell showing what he’s all about and Sam Dreyer in fine form as well. The rearguard will certainly be tested at Daggers, and if they can win their individual battles and avoid set piece problems, then there’s no reason we can’t come away with the 3 points.

TAKING CHANCES

3 goals from 3 games is not what was expected from this squad packed with attackers, and it’s just not quite worked out so far in the final third. No need to panic though, it only takes a couple of things to click, combinations to work and attackers to find their rhythm, and this TUFC team could be up and running, and scoring goals for fun. It may take a moment of magic to prise open the Daggers defence, there’s plenty capable of doing that.

THE OPPOSITION

I did wonder if Daggers would be inconsistent at the start of the season due to their squad overhual, and that may yet come to pass, but so far they have got just what they wanted from the opening three games. Lee Allinson knows the league very well after his time at Hemel Hempstead, and he made Hemel a difficult team to breakdown. Now he’s got the finances to build a stronger squad at Daggers, and the likes of Harry Beautyman, Nathan Ashmore, Archie Tamplin, Kane Crichlow and Liam Vincent are seasoned players we’ve encountered over our years in non-league football. It also sounds like they’re eager to make more signings. United need to be organised defensively and brave in possession to show they are more than capable of matching the Daggers. An intriguing afternoon awaits!