One week on from our stunning victory at Stockport and the delerium remains fresh. Even the most ardent of supporters wouldn't have anticipated such a comprehensive victory, but perhaps that was doing a disservice to a side who went on to prove that they're very capable of overpowering the best at this level. Or, maybe even that they're amongst them. Daggers been heavily backed by bookmakers to mount a title challenge in each of the past two years but persistent underachievement meant they disappeared beneath the radar this summer, eclipsed by the glamourous quartet of Stockport (though made to look far from glamorous on Saturday), Wrexham, Chesterfield and Notts County. However, our victory has thrust us right back into the spotlight, albeit within the context of only being one game, such was the sheer magnitude of the statement it signified. To dismissively regard the result as one of many anomalies often produced by the opening day of a new season would be easy, especially in a division as notoriously unpredictable as this, but the performance was simply too perfect to not be an authentic reflection of what the team's optimum standards are. It also was a continuation of the near-flawless form exhibited towards the back end of the season, from which there has been a seamless transition into the new one due to our squad being virtually unchanged. Would quite the same story have unfolded if we arrived at Edgeley Park following another of the large-scale rebuilds that have become a regular occurrence for us since relegation to this level? Impossible to say with certainty, but probably not. Having made the fewest signings of any National League side with just three, only one of whom was in the starting lineup, we were able to come flying out of the blocks as others progressively gel together. Only minimal time has been afforded to reveal in the opening-day triumph, though, because focus immediately shifts to the upcoming Bank Holiday double-header, in which we entertain fellow London outfits Bromley and Barnet inside the space of a hectic 48-hour period. The frenetic schedule generates excitement within supporters, especially as attending games is a newly-reintroduced concept, but will prove challenging for a squad as tight-knit as ours. That hasn't been aided by a hamstring injury to influential attacker Ángelo Balanta, which doesn't carry a specified timescale but will keep him out for the ''foreseeable future''. This knocked the available player quantity to just sixteen excluding backup goalkeeper Josh Strizovic, so Daryl McMahon has now made a further signing - Ryley Scott - to take us above that dangerous threshold. The midfielder impressed on trial in pre-season and, like Blair, adds a valuable element of youthful vibrancy. Zoning in on our first game of the weekend, we host a Bromley side who are very much an unknown quantity due to their season opener being postponed, however the quality of their existing squad indicates it'll be a tough challenge. We boast an impressive record against them, winning four of our last five clashes at Victoria Road, with the other being a draw televised on BT Sport. Included in that sequence was a 5-1 victory, during which Michael Cheek and Corey Whitely were amongst the goalscorers. Both of those now ply their trade with the Ravens, forming the basis of a strong frontline. A solitary alteration is expected from the Stockport victory, with Josh Walker presumably set to replace Balanta, who will begin his previously-mentioned spell on the sidelines. The absence of our number 10 has proven catastrophic for us in recent years, but thankfully we now seem to have adequate options to remedy such a situation arising. It's not ideal, though, and we'll certainly miss our captain.
Hopefully we have enough in the armoury to dismantle Bromley, then there's a short turnover before we renew our rivalries with Barnet just 48 hours later. Once again there will be a lot of connections between the teams, adding another dimension to the match, as no fewer than eight players will be lining up against their former sides: Elliott Johnson, Callum Reynolds, Mauro Vilhete, Josh Walker, Paul McCallum, Joe Widdowson, Mitch Brundle and Mason Bloomfield. It will be the first time our supporters have been able to visit the Hive in three years, as two of the previous clashes were postponed and one was contested behind-closed-doors just a few months ago. However, though firmly embedded into the minds of fans, Daryl McMahon won't be diverting his attention away from the first assignment of the weekend until Saturday evening at the earliest. We've set the bar incredibly high already and a performance even half as good will be gratefully received. By the end of this frenetic few days, let's hope we're still sitting on maximum points.
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Hope, Hollywood and heartache - Looking ahead to a fascinating 2021/22 National League season20/8/2021 The fifth tier of English football has long been characterised by the chaotic drama and unparalleled entertainment it provides on a weekly basis, yet rapid influx of heavy investment in recent years - particularly amongst a catalogue of northern sides - has added another interesting dimension to a division that is beginning to feel like an extension of the Football League in many regards (but not others). Though a growing trend, amplified by the scarcely-believable Hollywood takeover of perennial underachievers Wrexham, it remains no guarantee of success and this was emphasised at the back end of May when Sutton won the title, having been misguidedly tipped to struggle.
Three months on and a new campaign dawns. The National League returns against a backdrop of packed grounds, a refreshing and gratefully-received transformation away from the sterile, supporterless placebo which masqueraded as the real thing last year. Ten months of emotionally-fuelled chaos awaits; optimism will dissipate, dreams will be made and hopes will be shattered. There will be rapturous scenes of ecstasy, distraught tears of sheer pain and slammed fists of frustration, the culmination of which will be two teams soaring into the promised land of the Football League. Predicting who, though, is as challenging as ever this season. Logic dictates that the winner will come from the trio of Stockport, Chesterfield and Wrexham, but that doesn't legislate for the sheer unpredictability of a division in which three of the past four winners weren't even involved in the promotion conversation during the summer. Such romanticism seems to be becoming increasingly unattainable, however, when a select few clubs are spending extortionate amounts of money (nothing wrong with that providing they have the capacity to do so), defying the notion of financial effects incurred by the pandemic. Notts County will be desperate not to extend their stay in their fifth tier, as will Dagenham whose owners have reiterated their desire to reach the EFL as quickly as possible. Then there's last season's unlucky beaten play-off finalists Torquay United, looking to go one better this time out under experienced winner Gary Johnson. Bromley should also consider themselves good enough to lock horns with the best at this level, an impressive knack that Halifax and Boreham Wood have also demonstrated over recent seasons. Ultimately, only two teams will be able to fulfil this dream, and one of those will have to do it via the lottery of the play-offs at that. Already a catalogue of potential promotion contenders have been mentioned, and that's before even casting an eye on the two clubs who tumbled unceremoniously out of the Football League at the end of last season, into what they will soon discover is a seemingly-inescapable pit. Grimsby and Southend's grounds are both located in the near vicinity of the seaside, synonymous with happiness, but the mood at those two clubs has been anything but for a sustained period now, resulting in a relegation that will take a long time to heal, yet from which they will nonetheless emerge stronger. Both will have designs on an instant return to the EFL, however history anchors that as an unlikely occurrence, especially as the competition is as fierce as ever and their squads don't appear of the required calibre. Switching focus to the opposite end of the division now, which was a non-event last season due to the removal of relegation stemming from the curtailment of the National League North and South seasons, creating an unusual situation whereby a number of clubs in the fifth tier took their foot off the gas in the knowledge that their status was guaranteed. Amongst the sides that would have been in danger had this not happened are Dover Athletic and King's Lynn Town, both of whom are likely to face another campaign of gritty struggle. Dover's precarious financial situation has long been in the public domain, and a 12 point deduction only intensifies their difficult situation, from which relegation is a likely outcome, yet not necessarily a foregone conclusion such is the unpredictability of National League football. King's Lynn know they need to be much better this time out but will have to do without their best player Sonny Carey, whose transfer to Blackpool intensified the belief that the Linnets will struggle. Indeed, despite many succeeding in the past, every promoted side from the North/South endured a difficult campaign in 2020/21; Altrincham, Weymouth, Wealdstone and King's Lynn all finished in the bottom segment of the division - the latter two in what would have been the traditional bottom four. Nothing in the summer recruitment of any of these teams indicates they should expect anything different, but of course that doesn't legislate for the general spontaneity which exists in football. Moreover, all four will have to fight for their place rather than it being certified as it was last year. Elsewhere, local rivals Woking and Aldershot Town could both be dragged into a battle this year. The Cards were abject at the back end of last season, while the Shots have lost a number of key players throughout the summer. Both have technically been relegated in recent years; Woking in 2017/18 and Aldershot the year after (although they were then reprieved as a result of disciplinary proceedings against Gateshead, who were then demoted in their place), so it isn't inconceivable to think it could happen again. Then there's Maidenhead, a side who always exceed expectations under experienced boss Alan Devonshire but have, as usual, suffered the departure of the most recent off the conveyor belt of talented footballers they always seem to acquire. The likelihood is that the Magpies will work their magic again. Now, it's time to let the action take centre stage. English football's fifth tier, the Vanarama National League, commences tomorrow at 3pm, continuing in an unbroken rhythm until the beginning of June, after which five more sides will have exited the division at either end. The question of which ones remains to be seen, but one thing that can be stated with absolute certainty is that it will be a pulsating, emotionally-fuelled ride. Beyond the surface of chaotic apprehension synonymous with the build-up to a new season, Daryl McMahon will be composed, having likely already finalised his preparations for our eagerly-awaited trip to Stockport County. This will include the starting lineup, which can only be speculated by supporters until it is officially unveiled at approximately 2pm on Saturday. Below I've done just that, predicting what the XI will consist of.GK: ELLIOT JUSTHAM
Our ever-reliable keeper has spent six years at the club and committed himself to three more over the summer by signing a long-term deal. He'll be itching to get one over on the Stockport fanbase, whom he clashed with in February 2020 after over-zealously celebrating our last-second equaliser. LWB: MYLES WESTON Saunders is a little hard done by here, especially after impressing in pre-season, but I expect McMahon to use the more experienced option in Myles Weston, whose powerful and dynamic running can stretch the Stockport defence. We need players who can break the lines, and few in our squad are better at it than Weston. LCB: ELLIOTT JOHNSON Johnson was much better on the left side of a centre-half trio than as an out-an-out left back, so will almost certainly be continuing there. He provides stability and can play measured passes into midfield, as well as being competent in a one-on-one situation. CB: CALLUM REYNOLDS Likely to keep the place he regained at the back end of last season is Callum Reynolds, who played considerably more minutes in pre-season than the only other viable option Kenny Clark. He was error prone at times but improved vastly and performed very well when supporters returned against Wrexham. Hopefully that trend carries into the new campaign. RCB: WILL WRIGHT Another relative certainty in the lineup, Will Wright has potential at both ends of the pitch, having provided an impressive nine assists last season on top of his primary duties. Furthermore, he's a free-kick specialist, so offers a considerable amount to the team all-round. RWB: SAM LING The new arrival, back for a second spell at the club, featured in the right wing-back position throughout most of the pre-season fixtures he played, and will presumably start there for the real stuff too. He's also capable of bagging an assist, which he did on several occasions during his first stint. CM: MO SAGAF Cemented himself into the side at the back end of last season and looked strong in the recent warm-up matches too. Capable of a long-range strike, as was demonstrated in our most recent outing against fellow National League outfit Eastleigh. Like many, I'm looking forward to watch him forge a midfield partnership with Matt Robinson. CM: MATT ROBINSON His place was far from guaranteed for the first segment of last season, but certainly is now. The fans' favourite has signed a new deal at the club, meaning we'll hopefully be blessed with his surprise goalscoring exploits for many years to come. He'll be massive for us in every department. CAM: MAURO VILHETE Most will be expecting Balanta to play in the hole behind the two strikers, but I don't think the Colombian will start as he didn't play a minute of our final friendly (whereas everybody else besides Rance did). Vilhete has featured there a lot of late, performing impressively too, so could get the nod at Edgeley Park. ST: JOSH WALKER Walker has more than merited a starting berth with a series of impressive pre-season performances, in which he registered six goals and four assists. It's likely that one of Balanta/McCallum/Walker will have to miss out, but on this occasion I expect our new arrival to be given an instant debut. ST: PAUL MCCALLUM There's a big asterisk next to this one as last season's top scorer came off after 19 minutes, presumably injured, in our last pre-season match. When fit, though, McCallum will almost certainly be guaranteed a start, so it's a case of hoping he's ready to spearhead a potential play-off push. A MICROSCOPIC LOOK AT THE DAGGERS SQUAD, ONE AREA OF THE PITCH AT A TIME, AHEAD OF THE STEADILY-APPROACHING NEW CAMPAIGN. Last UP: THE Frontline.Football is a complex game encompassing untold intricacies but, when stripped down to it's most base form, hinges on the ability to put the ball into the back of the net and that very simplistic yet understated notion has stunted the Daggers for a long time. The absence of a prolific goalscorer, irrespective of the quality littered throughout the remainder of the squad, will always prove fatal to a team's hopes of fulfilling their ambitions. That recurring problem appeared to be rectified last summer with the capture of revered frontman Paul McCallum, who arrived with significant pedigree at this level yet struggled to showcase his true ability, even in the presence of a seemingly dream strike-partner in Ángelo Balanta, until the latter segment of the campaign. The pair ended up netting a combined tally of 27 goals, so it's frightening to imagine what they could become if on song for a more sustained period. Josh Walker's arrival has now given us a further dimension as well as alleviating our over-dependency upon the above-stated duo. His transition into the club has been eased by his existing relationships with many of our current players who also used to ply their trade with Barnet - Reynolds, Johnson, Vilhete and, most importantly, McCallum. Our new striker has already demonstrated his capabilities in pre-season, staking a convincing claim for a starting berth at Stockport. Last season, our attack had depth but not quality, which created obvious problems when injuries naturally occurred. This time, though, the disparity between our likely starting and backup options isn't as broad. The two strikers who didn't manage a single league goal each, Adrian Clifton and Darren McQueen, have both been offloaded. Scott Wilson was similarly misfiring but always looked a reasonable player, so has been retained in the hope that he can rediscover the regular scoring form he had elsewhere. By the time we kick off this weekend, it is hoped we'll have officially announced the worst-kept secret in Dagenham, namely the mysterious 'Trialist A' who more commonly goes by the name of Aaron Blair. Regular glimpses of potential have been present in his performances across the pre-season games and, while he'll likely be restricted to fleeting first-team appearances in the short-term, players like him are essential to the club's future. That leaves us with five forwards: Ángelo Balanta, Paul McCallum, Josh Walker, Scott Wilson and Aaron Blair. Alongside contributions from our midfielders and wide players, there should be enough goals there to deliver a successful campaign, which for us is a top-seven finish. A MICROSCOPIC LOOK AT THE DAGGERS SQUAD, ONE AREA OF THE PITCH AT A TIME, AHEAD OF THE STEADILY-APPROACHING NEW CAMPAIGN. Next UP: THE midfield.A team and all of it's separate components are intricately merged together by the midfield, a department in which Dagenham have been severely lacking in recent times but seem to be well-equipped now, with a nice blend of aggressive grit and creativity within our ranks. The quality there is abundantly clear yet it's depth that could conceivably prove an issue over the coming season, given the significant probability for injuries and an absence of sufficient players to cover. Despite the frustration of impressive loanee Saidou Khan snubbing our contract offer to instead join big-spenders Chesterfield, despite his previous assertions that playing at Victoria Road suited his needs perfectly, our primary midfield options are nonetheless still good enough to compete ferociously with those of anybody else in our division. A similar premise can be applied to our strongest eleven as a whole, but beyond that is when potential issues could arise. Our preferred midfield trio consists of Matt Robinson, Mo Sagaf and Mauro Vilhete, each of whom possesses a number of important attributes that, when fused together, give us that energetic vigour in the middle of the pitch which we were deprived of for the first half of the previous campaign. The arrivals of Sagaf and Vilhete, alongside Robinson's enigmatic transformation into a prolific goalscorer, were integral to a strong ending that we now hope can be replicated on a grander scale. As it stands, though, Joey Jones is the only other player able to slot into midfield, as Harry Phipps is being tentatively eased back to fitness and Dean Rance remains a long-term absentee, whose injury doesn't have a documented timescale but is presumed to be serious as per Daryl McMahon's statement in the Woking programme (5 May) that it ''doesn't look good.'' Phipps will feel like a new signing when fully fit but, having not featured in a league game for nearly two years, will naturally require patience. It would therefore be logical to recruit one more midfielder at an absolute minimum, especially considering Jones can be a loose cannon - undeniably talented but certainly prone to moments of absurd recklessness. We had one on trial in pre-season, a blond-haired player with clear technical ability, but it doesn't seem likely that we'll offer him a deal, much like we confusingly elected not to sign trialist striker Ibby Akanbi, who struck five times for us in the friendlies then subsequently joined Aldershot. Putting it simply, our midfield is high on quality but lacking in quantity. A couple of injuries could blow our squad wide open and have an reverberating effect, which may necessitate some mid-season signings or a strategic use of the loan market. However, it's McMahon's desire to have a smaller, more manageable squad this time, and hopefully it pays off in the form of on-pitch success. |
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January 2024
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