FL2:Dagenham & Redbridge v Torquay Utd 15th Aug 09

I like this report by Lambeth, and together with the one on the OS fully encapsulates what went on today without resorting to cheap jibes at individuals and at least recognises the excellence of this D&R side.

The pertinent point he makes is "technical" ~ Daggers were miles apart from our side in technical ability and speed of thought; they have picked up players who have been properly schooled in the most important aspect of the game; namely comfort on the ball and knowing precisely what they are going to do with it BEFORE they even get it.

That the majority of them have arrived at the club from much "lower" levels of the non league pyramid speaks volumes for the expertise within the club for seeking out such talent and the skilled way in which they have persuaded them to join them for footballing reasons for they don't have two halfpennies to rub together.

I heard last year that we had acquired a London based scout ( Simon Pullein, formerly with Exeter City) and would wonder tonight if (a) he is still working for us? and (b() if he is, just what are his contacts and knowledge base?

Because I'll tell you this, we have been ripped to shreds this afternoon by a team of players recruited from the likes of Bishops Stortford, Fisher Athletic ( I told you how good their young squad were were a year ago), Staines and even Concord Rangers.

They were fitter, faster, in our faces and sprinting away like muggers at a cash point leaving Greavsie to look geriatric, Nicho to look as if he was carrying the week's shopping and Stephens to look like an Under 11 in a man's game.

It didn't look like we had any useful preparatory info on them whatsoever.

Benyon scored a "fox in the box" little header and was the recipient of a ludicrous push from behind for the penalty but still hadn't a clue where to run when Sills was back heading on (how about running in behind him Elliott?) Wroe just didn't possess either the physique or urgency to live with this lot and Rendell looked as poor as he did for Cambridge against us last season.

Apparently Tyrone received a fracture of the eye socket or cheekbone on Tuesday night and with that in mind I would like to see Brough get a game on Tuesday at Burton if only for his superior physique over Wroe and I would also like to see the impressively filling out Caryol get the nod over the puny Stephens.

So many people have underestimated Dagenham to the effect that they ignore their fine finish so close to the play offs last season and their lack of knowledge of the London football scene catches them out when facing these impressive and very focused young players. Believe me, they would have mullered Chesterfield in this mood also; I had to smile when I heard some of our fans "bigging up " Chesterfield in the bar today as if they were fooled by another "off the pace" side last Saturday.


We have to shape up fast, recognise the need for quick thinking; one hundred per cent focus and determination and considerably up the tempo of our play if we are not to ship more goals in embarrassing numbers like we did today.

I've often heard the phrase "lucky to get nil", well we got three today so how lucky was that? Daggers hit the woodwork at least twice, so how lucky were we that it wasn't an even more humiliating seven?

In reality Dagenham didn't play much differently than they ever did in their Conference days, no frills, total focus, absolute determination to stick to bog standard basics whilst they are establishing a foothold in the game (are YOU listening Danny Stephens and Nicky Wroe?) and once they have earned the right to play, playing with style and imagination positivity and energy......................good for them and woe for us I'm embarrassed enough to say.

Was that fun run comment tongue in cheek?? I'd imagine that event ... world triathlon championship ... would not be described by many as 'fun' !!!

i dont post much on here but the moaning that everyone is doing is unbelievable,its the 2nd game for god sake,every1 goes on about the defence and how poor they were,i was there today and noticed very quickley there was no help from the midfield,yes robertson wasnt the best but the same as nicholson they had no help from any midfield,everyone is singing charnocks praises but if u had kept an eye on the left nicholson always had a spare player to be watching and charnock and todd were just lost with each other.when u watch the other teams we play they always have there wide midfielders supporting and getting back to help the left/right full backs but for some strange reason torquay most the time dont.it just suprises me how people on here r doom and gloom.

I've just re-read this thread and this statement by you is totally inaccurate Kingpin.

Do yourself a favour and re-read it yourself and surely you will see some fairly honest appraisals and recognition of how that experience can be best put to use.

If you want a "rah, rah, all is yellow and golden" type of thread; don't expect that on here from intelligent and generally honest pundits who are aware and streetwise enough to realise that football is football and sometimes you win by a country mile and sometimes you get a right good tubbing as we did yesterday. The last time I recall us being on the end of one of those was at Eastbourne last January, and just look what we went on to achieve after that debacle.

These things happen, get used to it; but don't expect realistic people to be more cheerleader than honest observer...............this site just isn't like that.

On observation of the goals again on TV, I would question whether Scott Bevan is fully fit at present and having seen him go down during the home game last week I rather doubt that he is. But at least I'm not like some loony on the other site berating the manager for not having Martin Rice on the bench yesterday, who the feck was that sitting on the bench with a big pair of gloves on and taking shots and crosses with his hands during the half time break out on the pitch if it wasn't our substitute goalkeeper?

There's also the usual suspect who reckons Dagenham "are crap", but of course he followed proceedings on the radio and wasn't there was he? Like myself, Enzo, Lambeth and others YOU were there and therefore you would be very respectful towards them and fresh in your mind remindfull of the very positive and aggressive performance they put on yesterday.

The knightsbridge part was a blip and probably added 15 minutes to the journey as did the roadworks on the A13, but other than that no problems.
In fact the Mall & Horse Guards were so quiet i actually thought we were not supposed to drive down them. Embankment was also very quiet.

I wish i had gone back that way to be honest as the M25 was a nightmare at the Dartford crossing, it took me longer to get back to the M3 than it did to get across London in the afternoon.

Westfield is heaven for the girls they love it and the thought of a bigger one will be welcome news. I tend to sit in the comfy chairs and read the paper, they really need to put a bookies & sports bar in these places it would make the whole 'shopping' experience much more palatable.

Blimey what it is to have different experiences of the same thing (matches, journeys etc.)

My journey through London on the way was like hell on earth and took over 2 hours 30 mins from the M4 junction with the M25. It was a funereal pace and served to remind me how lucky I am not to live in London.

My return to the same spot via the M25 North was serene and took just over 1 hour.

Very good point. Bevan's fitness was mentioned on the radio. You just cannot get away with being slightly less than fully fit - it will sow a seed of doubt which will make a huge difference to a player's effectiveness.

Like you, I would love to see Poke return.