While nothing about Dagenham's season went to plan whatsoever, characteristically unravelling away from the increasingly elusive target of play-offs without many positives on which an upwards platform could be built either, it did at least end with fitting homage to departing midfielder Matt Robinson as he chalked up his landmark 250th appearance through a final ten second cameo in the concluding game at Barnet.
Beckoned over to the healthy away contingent afterwards, his tearful eyes were a window into the emotional upheaval at bidding farewell to the club for whom the midfielder had served seven years, whereby he progressively acquired a far more varied skillset to transcend an initial status as the kind of box-to-box enforcer who goes under the radar to eventually become divisionally recognised among the very best in his position after developing a goalscoring pedigree. A predominant mainstay around which everything at the club changed beyond recognition, Robbo has experienced several guises fluctuating between financial extremities, first part of a rebuilt squad that suffered play-off heartbreak at semi final stage (albeit he wasn't involved while recovering from a broken leg) then one who looked set to go further until the acrimonious departure of its primary benefactor Glyn Hopkin instead catalysed an existential crisis. The authentic measure of a man comes in adversity and Robinson remaining committed while most others left - despite the remit being altered to surviving relegation the following season, with a team comprising inexperienced youngsters - underlined a loyalty rewarded when a solution in the form of an American consortium spearheaded by Peter Freund elevated the club back to substantial wealth. Ever since, the combative midfielder has personified the place itself to eventually earn the captaincy, though never seeing a replication of the initial heights. Among this nonetheless fulfilling duration was some truly special goals indelibly etched into club folklore, none more so than the iconic stoppage-time winner at Hartlepool United amid a sensational streak of form in late 2018, a time when Robinson entering the penalty box was an extremely unique occurrence. Yet, as the opposing goalkeeper pushed Tomi Adeloye's cross away, the Daggers man delivered a moment savoured eternally by both him and the away contingent who witnessed it in pure disbelieving elation.
Following that joyous anomaly, normal service resumed for 26 months before he would next find the net, halving the deficit in another eventual comeback away at Wrexham and this time it would spark a permanent transformation of incredible proportions; another in the very next game, against Notts County, begun a staggering streak of 8 in eighteen games with no discernible origin for his sudden golden touch. There were three as many games during the turnaround between April and May, before a brace in a 5-0 demolition of Wealdstone soon afterwards.
This form was carried into the 2021/22 season against a returning backdrop of our supporters, whom Robinson helped give a truly incredible experience at title favourites Stockport on opening day, putting in a phenomenal showing capped with the killer third goal. The very next week, he scored another big goal to establish daylight in our favour against Bromley, continuing what would become a phenomenal start to the season. Robbo was integral, contributions going far beyond just finding the net, and even when that subsided his influence certainly did not. The next had us on track for victory at home to Altrincham until a late collapse that ultimately begun our stark downfall. After that, there was the second goal on our Boxing Day trip to bottom-placed Dover Athletic, then deficit-halver versus Halifax Town after the turn of the year. He would score twice more that campaign, each quality finishes which added gloss to memorable 3-0 victories plus the vintage team performances underpinning them, against Southend United and Wrexham. Nobody could forget the jubilant celebrations after the former.
This time around, Robinson did not reach quite the same levels albeit played every single minute throughout each of the first 41 league games to reaffirm his integral role, an ever-present run broken only by untimely injury. Nonetheless, his impact was significantly lessened as evidenced by a downgraded tally of just three goals. All held deep significance for him at the time, in the form of a brace against Solihull Moors on a birthday weekend where he also celebrated accomplishment in his alternate musical profession, as well as the opener in our FA Cup replay at Gillingham, which set us enroute to a lucrative third round visit by his hometown club Leicester City. Devastatingly, it wasn't to be.
As we amicably part ways at probably the right time, then, Robinson leaves so many memories that immortalise his legacy - Southend, Stockport, most of all Hartlepool. Plus, worth noting, that assist at Notts County to engineer our most incredible result in years. Whoever gets him now will have one of the division's most capable midfielders whose credentials are among the very best. Thank you, Robbo, for enriching us with them for so long. Dagenham loves you more than you will know.
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Four full seasons of disillusioning under-performance on a healthy budget conducive to much greater attainment has left a wounded Dagenham & Redbridge back at proverbial square one this summer, requiring a thorough squad rebuild from their mentally fragile foundations in order to recommence a purposeful trajectory towards the targeted play-offs. Upon inheritance of his predecessor's chaotic remnants, Ben Strevens took little time to concur with the overarching supporter concensus that a substantial proportion should be quelled in a sizeable restructure after witnessing first-hand their wildly unpredictable nature. Orchestrating a morale-boosting late turnaround at Torquay United (though something of a false result as we were poor), only to immediately follow it up by being outclassed against Gateshead, aptly encapsulated how unreliable most are. Following another particularly deplorable performance unforgivably devoid of pride on the very occasion when it was required most at rivals Southend United in mid-April, the new manager passionately declared that he has seen enough to know what is required going forwards, having given every player ample opportunity to earn a place in the long-term plans. Or, in some cases, the rope to metaphorically hang themselves in terms of a future here if indeed they wanted it. The summer Retained List was therefore an intriguing prospect, signifying the crucial first step towards Strevens transforming this squad in alignment with an outlined vision underpinned by non-negotiable principles. There was not complete autonomy in that he is somewhat bound by contractual constraints predating his tenure, which can be mitigated by paying a consummate settlement to the player or transfer listing them as we have with three, but both options require a significant element of external co-operation plus financial outlay from the budget thus consequentially reducing how much we can spend elsewhere. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁
Inih Effiong, Josh Hare, Elliott Johnson, Elliot Justham, David Longe-King, Harry Phipps, Josh Strizovic, Nik Tavares
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱
Jay Bird, Ansu Janneh, Paul McCallum, Matt Robinson, Ryley Scott, Mauro Vilhete, Yoan Zouma 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 Ángelo Balanta, Omar Mussa, Manny Onariase Still, some important questions have now been answered, after the document was released just under a fortnight since the final ball was kicked. Among the 'Released' category were some notable if anticipated inclusions, none more so than Matt Robinson after a largely impressive seven seasons here albeit this particular one brought a drop-off in quality, particularly the attacking output we had come to expect. Nonetheless, both parties will separate with fond memories of one another despite not fulfilling the desired Football League return, much to the player's regret. Paul McCallum, also leaving, was meant to be the ultimate statement signing towards that ambition and to his credit registered a respectable record overall however never really reached best-in-class levels proportionate to the initial hype around his arrival. Despite the understandable viewpoint that Macca may want to stay with Strevens, under whom he had his most productive ever spell at Eastleigh, the loan to Chesterfield outlined the club's stance. That Inih Effiong, who arrived in return, has been quality only cements that. Looking at the other departures, Mauro Vilhete can potentially count himself quite unlucky having been plagued by untimely injuries, although in fairness blew hot and cold while fit. At optimum capacity, the versatile Portuguese can be enormously influential, and was at that level just when the first lengthy layoff came this season. Barely had he returned when the next struck, which was probably the final nail in the coffin by way of a future here. The squad will definitely be weakened in consequence though. Less so for the others. Jay Bird served a purpose at momentary times when the strikeforce became depleted but was never really good enough. Ryley Scott showed enough promise during his sole start on final day to demonstrate there was ability for Strevs to nurture, but that he has decided otherwise will not make any in the fanbase lose sleep. Another who showed something is Ansu Janneh, on loan for Braintree Town where he seemed to have performed well, though apparently not enough so to make a compelling impression upon his parent club. Again, it's unlikely to be something we live to rue. Finally, good riddance to one of our most disastrous signings in history, the colossal wreck Yoan Zouma. Bringing the club's name into disrepute through off pitch actions, then scuppering our feasible pathway to a potential FA Trophy final at Wembley, few have done more damage here. Quite why we decided to give a new deal after all that was ludicrous at the time, and even more so after he made just one more appearance for us before being loaned to Maidstone. They quickly realised what they were dealing with, nine minutes on debut infact when he scored a comical own goal - truly hideous. Earmarked to follow the above-mentioned group out the door are a further trio in Omar Mussa, Manny Onariase and Ángelo Balanta, all of whom were high-profile signings for a fee at the time of their respective arrivals but are now deemed surplus to requirements thus made available for any interested clubs elsewhere. That and actually finding a suitor willing to match their wages, however, is another thing entirely so I would not be surprised if we have to keep one or more. Ideally that would be Balanta were it not for bodily ailments progressively limiting appearances each season, for the mercurial craftsman still possesses technical ability and visionary awareness beyond this level which culminates in moments no teammate would be able to execute. Unfortunately, these have been rendered far too irregular due to intermittent layoffs at ever-increasing regularity, so the outlay on him is not matched or justified by the contribution in return. There is little to suggest this will change so it is probably the end of the road, but with many savoured moments along the way.
Unlike what the other two have offered; to call each of their spells an unmitigated disaster would not be too excessive, especially as they were recruited as crucial cogs to a promotion bid. Onariase was competent in his first spell but this incarnation has been comparatively unrecognisable, with a long line of dreadful mistakes. Though there is definitely a good player in there, demonstrated by standalone performances like at Notts County where he was nothing short of phenomenal, I think everybody has lost faith that can be reproduced consistently. Mussa, meanwhile, was a marquee signing who is being written off already after all the hype amounted to bitterly underwhelming performances. Others with uncertain futures are Sam Ling, Mo Sagaf and George Saunders - hopefully all sign the contracts that have been offered. Providing so, it's time for Saunders to change perception from possessing potential to a here-and-now man that can deliver, as he is no longer a youngster. With Ling and Sagaf, it's somewhat ironic that we failed to tie down our two most reliable outfielders while willingly giving out contracts elsewhere. A case in point is some of those remaining at the club despite being very poor last season. Discretionary options have been exercised on a few more, including Myles Weston. Though naturally showing signs of decline, not helped by our careless over-usage, the veteran winger still has much to offer but must be managed in a way that maximises his impact. Alongside Sydney Ibie and Aaron Blair, this forms a first-team squad that otherwise contains: Inih Effiong, Josh Hare, Elliott Johnson, Elliot Justham, David Longe-King, Harry Phipps, Josh Strizovic, Nik Tavares. There is a significant deal of work required in supplementing that squad with enough fresh quality to make us competitive, and how Strevens attempts that remains to be seen... Junior Morias arrived here with alarmingly underwhelming references from supporters of his previous clubs whom he'd registered a paltry goal record for, thus was not expected to offer much. How emphatically incorrect that would prove to be as, sixteen months later, he leaves as one of our best signings in recent years to bolster an already star-studded squad at Notts County. It is similar to Conor Wilkinson in that we have provided a mutually beneficial platform to reinvigorate a stagnating career, which had not lived up to expectations. To say Junior surpassed them at Daggers would qualify as a seismic understatement, for he was absolutely exceptional for the most part albeit tailed off since the turn of the year. While unable to maintain the electrifying form he carried through from the second half of last season to around last October, his ferocious work rate never even slightly faded. The measure of not only a player but person as a whole is transmitted via actions in adversity. While we were struggling, Morias was the last one to give up, always running himself into the ground while simultaneously never shying away from going over to the supporters afterwards unlike many others. There was also an impassioned interview of accountable honesty evaluating the Scunthorpe defeat last month, after which supporters made a deliberate point of only applauding him while subjecting the others to abuse, which said it all. Rarely was there ever a critical word uttered about our tireless centre forward, who will be fondly remembered as a class act for his mentality on top of footballing credentials. Both were unmatched at times. Few players have reached such unplayable levels in a Dagenham shirt throughout recent years to such an extent that for a while he seemed the complete package: physicality defying his small size, lethal finishing from a diverse range of scenarios, skilful trickery and all underpinned by infinite energy which characterised him more than anything else. The workmanlike honesty was as endearing as his lethal spark. Two performances in particular encapsulated the very best of Morias, namely his twelve minute hat-trick enroute to an astonishing 7-3 victory over Barnet last season, and when he scored the opener then assisted two McCallum goals in a stunning triumph at Chesterfield a few months ago. A few days later came an immaculately-dispatched finish versus rivals Southend, after which a cloud of red smoke enveloped the terrace. There were braces at home to Wealdstone and Bromley, too, plus a last-gasp equaliser on the opening day against Gateshead, among more. It is a damning indictment on our latest 'attempt' at reaching the play-offs that, throughout what should be the final surge towards which the fans harbour the most anticipation, they have instead watched the side falter into mid table mediocrity to evoke widespread frustration accentuated by the departures of the three highest scorers since the beginning of last season (albeit all understandable for differing reasons). This one is effectively over, so it's all about laying foundations under Ben Strevens.
Junior was never going to be a part of that, having turned down contract offers, so all this has done is ensure we receive compensation rather than lose him on a free transfer. After scoring just two league goals in almost four months - the same as Balanta, and half Effiong's tally in a fraction of that timeframe - it would not be worth foregoing a transfer fee for the sake of a play-off push which seems fruitless anyway. Things would be different if we were fifth or thereabouts with something to cling onto, but instead have to average near enough two points per game to give ourselves a fighting chance, so in all likelihood we will miss out again. That's not to say losing our leader in both primary attacking metrics of goals and assists will not weaken us because of course it will. Junior was our best player at stretching defences out of position. Even beyond the key contributions were ones that he did not directly create or execute but still played a valuable part in, for example the equaliser at his new club Notts County when the striker peeled off wide to collect Robinson's throughball then demonstrated superb vision to find Ling who duly teed up Balanta for the finish. There are so many more like that, sympomatic of a man to which there is nobody similar at the club. Yet it is now about Strevens making plans to recruit players tailored to his philosophy, supplementing the existing ones that are going to stay. Morias may well have suited the vision, but clearly his future lay elsewhere and now has a deal we cannot compete with: three years, the vast majority of which will likely be spent in the EFL, on presumably good money. All the best to him, as he served us wholeheartedly while providing some great moments, but it's time to get a head start on assembling what will be next season's squad. Onwards and upwards.
This period was always going to be potentially important for the Daggers, not only in providing respite from playing nearly a quarter of their entire season inside the previous thirty days, but also signifying the ideal window to appoint a replacement for outgoing manager Daryl McMahon.
It would allow a new man time to conduct preliminary assessments on the squad, and begin to lay foundations for what would hopefully be a successful tenure in which we finally fulfil our play-off aspirations at long last. Not this season in all likelihood, though we only sit six points off, but certainly the next. The board have clearly aligned with that reasoning and today announced the appointment of Ben Strevens, a man to whom the fanbase already hold strong affection following his two spells as a player which included promotion to the Football League. He will now work towards that very same goal from the dugout, building upon some promising managerial attributes nurtured at Eastleigh, where he did a largely tremendous job in defiance of the modest budget underpinning it. Reaching the play-off semi finals following a seventh place finish was a superb accomplishment and only the misfortune of cruelly losing to Salford City on penalties prevented it from being even better. They defeated Wrexham in the eliminator beforehand among many other eye-catching results that season, notably two draws against eventual champions Leyton Orient and a win at Salford. That he lost influential quartet Rob Atkinson, Joe Tomlinson, Josh Hare and Paul McCallum - the latter two of whom are ironically contracted to his new club (albeit the latter is loaned out with a view to a permanent departure in the summer) - to upwards moves throughout his reign undermined their chances of replicating that accomplishment but nonetheless reflects well on Strevens' ability to nurture players into reaching their optimum standards. Certainly there are many within our dressing room not operating anywhere near the levels they can but, under Strevens' reported man management skills as well as technical acumen, have a platform to potentially change that for the better. The aforementioned Hare can attest, having earned a move to League One from an environment that is hopefully replicated here. Of course, there is no guarantee that Strevens will have the above-mentioned effect, and that his predecessor McMahon arrived to ultimately unwarranted positivity necessitates a certain degree of hesitant caution this time around. He also made the National League top seven at his previous club it must be remembered, albeit on a significantly larger budget than Strevens with Eastleigh. There is some risk in giving out the job based on a solitary managerial sample, but he otherwise ticks several boxes thus was the most logical option from those available. Nobody can say we have not exorcised diligence throughout the entire process. There is obviously an element of 'wait and see'. A contingent of the fanbase desired a change in direction from the usual familiar face, however Strevens has decent credentials which would have made him a feasible option even if he had not played for the club. That additional factor only supplements what he can offer, and there is much to be said about a man who already has an existing relationship of mutual adulation with the fanbase. Admittedly it would be more painful if things do not go well, but likewise the opposite, which we have to believe will manifest. Either way, there is an initial feelgood factor about having a club hero at the helm, and one can only hope that amplifies. It won't redeem underachievement, but certainly helps having a manager you can strongly identify with, especially having been part of such a successful side under John Still whose methodology rubbing off can only be a good thing too. The man knows what the club is about and the expectations, so will have a powerful drive to emulate what was achieved here as a player. Forever be hailed as one of us for that, now as supporters let's give him everything in the knowledge it will be reciprocated the other way. Ben Strevens' Red & Blue Army
Just around the time when increasingly disillusioned Daggers supporters would have preparing to wind down for the proverbial calm before an almighty storm unleashed upon us by rampant table-toppers Notts County the next day, came some news as spontaneously shocking as it was wholly relieving.
A club statement announcing the much-heralded departure of Daryl McMahon amid the latest wave of amplified pressure towards him, generated more through desperation than legitimate belief that it would eventually yield the desired outcome. Such had been the inescapable cycle which every supporter could anticipate the repetitive trajectory of, that this moment seemed like it would never arrive. Let alone at near enough 10pm on the eve of a game he has had time to prepare for, having just overseen the very kind of victory invariably unearthed to punctuate a dismal run and consequentially buy a stay of execution under the misguided illusion that something had or was on the verge of improving. The whole saga was extremely disillusioning, guaranteeing the club would stagnate in its own mediocrity further still. I discussed that very notion in a piece about the necessity to part company with McMahon less than a fortnight ago, which now serves to retrospectively foreshadow his long overdue departure due to the unaddressed problems explored within. Yet, for all the supporter clamour for him to go, crucially the owners have finally reached the same point of having no faith that one mere victory following prolonged atrocity would be the catalyst for a run towards where we ought to be. Watching another underwhelming season dissipate into nothingness, before a belated but unsuccessful run invariably creates the misguided illusion there is a platform to build on as next year will finally be ours, is something they do not wish to go through the emotional torture of experiencing again. After all, doing the same thing over and over is a famous definition of insanity. Make no mistake, they would have found it equally frustrating to us fans, especially having given the club nothing but wholehearted backing since taking over. Their persistence with who they thought was the right man is far from a negative trait, in fact admirable in many ways within a footballing ecosystem that so often the opposite, but exceeded logic on this occasion because there was little to suggest anything would come from it. Albeit belatedly, at least action has finally been taken at a period where it is still possible to resurrect our season in proportion to its pre-established ambitions. Pleasurable though it would have been for this side fulfil their potential under Daryl - supporters would have loved nothing more than to be proven wrong - we had seen more than enough to realise that was simply never going to happen, certainly not in a time frame consummate to the financial investment provided anyway. Thus, the only way to punctuate the cycle was by dispensing with the man perpetuating it. While this decision should not evoke too much celebration due to ultimately being a reflection upon our persistent failure, there certainly feels a renewed sense of hope following the news. For it feels like we have a new lease of life now, which may not manifest at Meadow Lane but promises a better future beyond so long as we can get the replacement right. After not seeing the desired progress during three years so far, the upcoming decision becomes the biggest they have made here so extreme diligence is required. That's not to say McMahon was a bad appointment at the time, as supporters were certainly optimistic, however this one cannot afford to go the same way. To not mention the fleeting good times would be remiss; he masterminded some phenomenal performances like the ones that comfortably dismantled last season's top two in Stockport County and Wrexham respectively, the former a truly memorable day following the football club. Chesterfield away a few months ago was fantastic, too, although that it came after a horrendous battering at the hands of Dorking Wanderers underlined the chronic inconsistency which overall undermined us from fulfilling the potential demonstrated on those standout days. So now we look to the future and, while waiting for its next leader to be unveiled, shall ferociously get behind the team in the meantime.
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January 2024
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