After two games in the Vanarama National League campaign, Daggers are one of three teams to have no points and sit in a measly 22nd. However, despite suffering two straight defeats, our league position is something of a false one and doesn't tell the story of the decent start we've made to the campaign. With a new striker, and a bit of luck falling our way, the Daggers will have the capabilities to comfortably avoid relegation. At this early stage, the signs are looking good and in two matches, we've looked good and indeed much sharper than I expected. Considering the absences of Nunny and Pennell, two of our most experienced players, the boys have started the season impressively and will look to thrive on the support from the fans. Of course, the situation we're in isn't an excuse to accept defeat every week, but so far we've done ourselves proud irrespective of the results, which will come. It's important to remember that, of all the teams in the National League, we've had the most upheaval by far; a new manager, completely new backroom staff and completely different squad. With just a few weeks to bed in, it was never going to be easy for the team, most of which are young, inexperienced and relatively naïve at this level. After just a few days in the season, we've looked strong, obviously with a few weaknesses, but good nonetheless. Against Maidstone, we looked better than we did against Boreham Wood and the positives from the opening day of the season were reinforced. This shows that, as time gradually progresses, the team will get better and better. However, we desperately need a striker and this will presumably be our undoing all campaign. Losing Cheek was a blow from which we haven't fully recovered, but with just a single addition we might have been on four points right now. Moving on to the Maidstone game, it was a brilliant performance and was great to see. To dominate a game like that offers hope that we will be fine this season, yet somehow we ended up on the losing side. Failing to take our chances has long been a problem and it looks like proving to be a recurring issue again in the coming months. That said, we didn't actually create enough for the possession and control that we had. Our main threat came from the wings, but once the crosses came they would either be cut out by a defender or gratefully collected. With both of our wingers being more pacy and attack-minded, neither really look like they can whip in brilliant deliveries. However, what they both offer is excellent trickery and speed, enabling them to beat their man and drive towards goal. Both players will be massive for us. As a striker. Elliott Romain is a great asset to have but is crying out for support. Every time he wins the ball, it seems as if he's surrounded by bodies and is eventually dispossessed. He would thrive off a target man, winning the knockdowns and holding the ball up well. Elliott works harder than everybody else on the pitch and hopefully his first goal this season, which was really well-taken, can kick-start a prolific few months for him. However, he never strikes me as a natural goalscorer and that's okay if you're playing alongside a Ferrier or a Cheek, but not when you're the lone striker - and that's not his fault. Defensively we haven't looked brilliant so far but in all fairness, we have lots of players unavailable in that area. As such, Alex Davey had to play against Maidstone and to his credit performed really well, but perhaps wasn't ready to start. The aforementioned Nunn and Pennell are out and Goodliffe still has two games of his suspension. However, hopefully we'll see better defending in the next few games that what was on show in the build-up to Maidstone's second goal, which was worrying, However, as a whole, it was a great display and the team were a credit to the club. We still have lots of improving to be good but, as I said after Boreham Wood, it's a work in progress. At the minute, we're slowly starting to click and it's only a matter of time before we start to win. Saturday, though, is a massive game even at this early stage and we desperately need three points.
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January 2024
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