FAN VIEW: Dagenham & Redbridge boss needs more time

The latest episode in this winless run saw Ben Strevens’ troops battle valiantly with 10 men at Aldershot, only to leave empty-handed with a sucker-punch late winner from the hosts. 

One positive from Saturday’s fixture was that the goalless run – extended to four and a half games earlier in the week at Halifax – was ended with two goals including one from this week’s latest addition striker Freddie Sears, who is looking to be the answer up top. 

This signing news instilled something of a new belief among supporters, an acknowledgement of the problem and a solution hopefully given – Sears was a player linked in the summer having had no club going into this season. 

However, the signing of the 33-year-old can also be seen as little more than a sticking plaster, the rebuild Strevens has undertaken still remains half-complete. 

Therefore with the fight and hunger there, and the lack of luck at the minute, I think Strevens should be cut some slack and afforded time to get things right. 

Obviously, it’s a results business and things shouldn’t be left to slide so severely, but this is yet another transitional period (something Dagenham supporters have become all too accustomed to in recent years with managerial changes). 

That is the perspective I believe should be taken when we look at progress in recent seasons. It should not be judged from the era of the ownership but the manager. 

Daryl McMahon’s reign saw undoubted progress made with significant backing behind him – but he fell one point short of play-offs. 

Strevens is having to deal with the circumstance he is in, with perhaps a tighter budget, but an investment of time remains a guarantee. It is incumbent on all at the club to trust the process and treat this project as such, a process where Strevens has only just begun to build the foundations of his team. 

The next test for this Dagenham side sees a return home to Victoria Road after a frustrating time on the road and hopefully an end will be put to the winless streak in front of the home crowd, just as goals return to the Daggers’ game.

York City are the visitors tomorrow night and they’ve been somewhat struggling for form themselves, sitting a point below Strevens’ side in the table. There is desperation for a hugely important win for both sides. 

After a visit from the Minstermen, the Daggers head to an in-form Oldham team who have enjoyed a good run since parting company with their manager David Unsworth last month following a torrid start to the campaign. 

If this week doesn’t produce a victory the questions will only grow in number, although the last week did put to bed fears of where the next goal was coming from. Hopefully this week does provide some much-needed points. 

Come On You Daggers!