Dagenham & Redbridge boss laments another home loss

The hosts began well, with Inih Effiong having three chances to open the scoring before Cian Hayes curled into the top corner to put Dale ahead.

Charley Kendall fired wide before the break, but Tom Eastman’s underhit back pass allowed Ian Henderson to beat Elliot Justham early in the second half to give Daggers a mountain to climb.

Frank Vincent halved the deficit nine minutes from time, but Daggers fell to their eighth home loss in 11 outings at Victoria Road.

“The opportunities we got in the first 20-25 minutes we didn’t take and then from a lapse in concentration, it was a fantastic finish, the boy bent it into the top corner, that really knocked the stuffing out of the boys,” Strevens told the club website.

“We still went and had an unbelievable chance just before the break to go 1-1.

“They built slightly different than we thought they were going to and I felt the second half we were more passive in terms of worrying about what if we go and try and get after them, rather than going and getting after them and see what happened.

“A big part of that was the mistake that led to the second goal and until we got that goal back to make it 2-1 and got the head of steam up we was pretty passive for 20 minutes or so.

“I’m not taking anything away from Rochdale because people probably didn’t know it leading into today, but I as a manager have watched teams more than anyone and I knew they were going to be a good side.

“They play a passing style very similar to the Gatesheads of this league. Teams like that, Altrincham, trying to suck you onto play and I knew people were getting frustrated trying to tell the boys to go after, but that’s the moment they want you to do, to jump to get disorganised, to play beyond you.

“The boys stuck to the gameplan to start with, it changed a little bit as the game went on, but the most important thing for me is in front of our own fans, winning games at home.”

Kendall earned praise from the boss for another hard-working display, following his midweek hat-trick in the Essex Senior Cup win at Basildon United.

And Strevens wants to see the 22-year-old Lincoln City loanee rewarded more for his efforts.

“Charley has got loads of enthusiasm, he wants to press the football and get after people and really impact it with or without the ball,” added Strevens.

“That’s the way younger players are being coached now, it’s not me coming through as a centre-forward, it’s the tactical element now where you’re being asked to press now is a massive part of the game.

“Charley’s endeavour to do that, to try and press them and get after them I’m not surprised by. It’s a real plus that he has got.

“Ryan Hill is the same as him, the same ilk, it’s what they really do well, they get after people and put pressure on them with their energy and pace.

“I wish he would’ve had more moments to try and get himself a chance. Ultimately as a forward you get judged on goals, he’s well aware of that as well.

“His all-round [game] and what he is trying to do and his development is getting better, but we want more rewards for that hard work he is putting in.”

Daggers dropped to 15th in the table after their latest defeat and now face a two-week break from action, before hosting Peterborough Sports in the FA Trophy third round on December 9.

And Strevens is clear about what they will be working on ahead of that meeting with the National League North outfit.

“The focus for a few weeks now has been how a collective group can go and get three away wins on the spin and just can’t put that together at home,” he said.

“It’s a real frustration of mine and I just feel there’s a little bit of worry in the home performances, we’re not playing the way we probably should be.”