Oppositions View - Dagenham and Redbridge

Last updated : 19 December 2007 By Gary Moss
How do you assess your sides recent form?

Well we've been playing well but not getting the breaks. But I suppose every team says that. We've had a few injuries and hopefully they're all coming back now against Notts County. We are not down hearted. Obviosuly we
Nurse...Returning threat
would like to have a few more points but there's a long way to go as they say and we've not been outplayed. When we played at Gillingham we should have beat them 4-0 but it was the other way round. And it's the other teams saying it as well. At MK Dons Paul Ince said the same. But obviosuly you've got to prove it by winning.

Who is your danger man?

Well our top goalscorer last season Paul Benson. He has really adapted well. Only three years ago he was playing in Sunday football. We just plucked him out of that. He was injured in his first year then the second year he scored 29 goals and was our player of the year. He has been out injured for the beginning of the season and he's just come back in the last couple of weeks.

Who else should we look out for?

Jon Nurse we got from Stevenage. Once again he has been injured and is back now looking very good. Magnus Okuonghae who we got from Crawley Town is also just returning. Richard Graham from Peterborough is still injured. We've not had a lot of luck there with new signings. Glen Southam and Tony Roberts the goalkeeper have been ever
Roberts...Daggers stopper
presents. Glen does well for us in midfield. Roberts is 39 this year but he is still playing magnificiently. He has been getting all the top ratings in the papers but we would prefer it to be our strikers.

What do you know about Notts County ahead of the game?

I know Jimmy Sirrell used to be the manager. You're the oldest Football League club, you play in black and white and you're a good team. Once again as with all the league clubs there's that half a yard and more professionalism. We've got a fairly young team whereas Notts are an established league side. So once again we're expecting a hard game.

Who do you see as the Notts danger man?

We've looked at your team but whether there's anyone in particular we will be looking at I'm not too sure.

What did you make of the last time the sides met?

We lost 1-0. Very disappointing. I didn't go to that game so I will be seeing Notts for the first time.

What are your sides aims for the season? Where do you think you will finish?

Actually they're the same as when we started. To survive. We would love to
McParland...Can he still make the play-off's?
be in the play-off's but at the moment we just want to be in the Football League. But that is like all clubs when they first come up. At the start of the season I noticed at one bookmakers that we were 3-1 to make the play-off's and 3-1 to go down. At the start of the season we didn't know what to expect but we've seen the clubs now and they've got some good players and some better finances than us but now we're still more confident that we can stay up. The team certainly are.

Where do you expect to see Notts come May?

I was expecting to see Notts in the top ten easy. But it doesn't always work like that. I think Notts have got every chance of pulling away and making a play-off bid. There's still 20 games to go. They're a very established team and if they can string two or three results together and suddenly you're right in there.

What sort of encounter are you expecting?

A nice open game with free flowing football. I think though they'll just be a goal in it. Most games here have been end to end but unfortunately the ball has gone in the net at end more than we would have liked. We've seen some good football. I expect Saturday to be the same.

Prediction?

I think we'll win 2-1!