Dagenham & Redbridge fans need more from Strevolution

The derby defeat to Southend on Saturday exposed the weaknesses in the army Ben Strevens sent into battle.

The quality was lacking, the attacking threat largely non-existent, and it was the defence’s lapse in concentration that led to the concession of the first goal from which the Daggers couldn’t recover. 

It was a disappointing performance, but against a good Southend side whose starting XI remains one of the better teams in the division, despite the severe lack of squad depth.

It was a game that reminded Strevens’ side once more just how difficult this season will be in an increasingly competitive National League.

I fear that it could be a long season ahead if these deficiencies aren’t addressed, notably the lack of creativity seen in the first two games of the season.

To not even look like scoring for 90-plus minutes on Saturday, despite the change in approach from the off with Charley Kendall supporting Inih Effiong up front, it brought the same result of no threat on the opposition goal. 

Ryan Hill is a big miss in diversifying the attack and providing that constant threat but the Daggers will have to find a way of threatening without him if they are to start getting points on the board. 

I think the issue is bigger than the players taking time to gel, as I believe we are still a couple of players short of a team that can really pose a threat and challenge for the play-offs.

Strevens has claimed his recruitment is done, but I feel that a couple more performances like that will see him enter the market once more to bolster the attacking department. 

Fortunately, the Daggers manager does not need to wait long for a response from his players as Gateshead travel to Victoria Road on Tuesday night, both teams in search of their first win of the season.

The home crowd will be expecting a definitive response with a great deal more urgency about the play, desire off the ball to win it back and greater quality on it. 

It is then onto Maidenhead on Saturday and Alan Devonshire’s men always provide a tough test for Dagenham & Redbridge.

But if they can get this week right their earlier performances will be forgotten about soon enough. I hope I’m proven wrong, that it is indeed just a matter of players taking time to gel, and this week will surely provide an answer to that either way.

For all the disappointment that comes with a slow start to a season, it is only two games in, and there remains great trust in the man in the dugout to address the issues of the opening week going forward.

Hopefully this time next week I’ll be raving about the transformation of a team that has picked up six points.

Come On You Daggers!