Another eventful week at Dagenham & Redbridge full of significant outgoings and incomings, but one thing remains the same, a downward trajectory of performances and results on the pitch.
The news of Josh Walker’s departure was disappointing, then to have his absence felt in defeat on Saturday was beyond frustrating, losing 1-0 to an average Wealdstone side.
A complete lack of threat in front of goal saw the Daggers in need of a result on Tuesday night at Oldham to stop the slide.
However, there was to be no such joy, despite being ahead at the break, after a second-half capitulation handed the Latics victory at Boundary Park.
This prompted a passionate interview from Daryl McMahon, berating his team’s perceived lack of character in an ‘embarrassment’ of a second-half display.
The new signing and Josh Walker replacement announced just before kick-off, Inih Effiong, was unable to turn the side’s fortunes around - no doubt eager to get off the mark this weekend.
It’s imperative someone steps up to the plate, and it’s either to be him or Junior Morias to lead the line - hopefully to victory and beyond that, the play-offs - after Paul McCallum’s departure.
That announcement was perhaps little surprise and made perfect sense in footballing terms. McCallum has been unable to rediscover any sort of form, nor his place in the team since his mid-season injury - netting on just five occasions this campaign.
But it’s the idea of loaning him out to Chesterfield for him then to be bought on a free, as if the club have cut their losses, that has frustrated supporters - as opposed to the actual departure itself.
McCallum was brought in as McMahon’s marquee signing and had two great seasons scoring over 40 goals, but he was ultimately unable to hit the heights this season. So he ends his time in red and blue perhaps unfulfilled from both an individual and team perspective, unable to get the club to the play-offs - let alone beyond.
It’s certainly been a hectic week at the club and a cloud of negativity and uncertainty looms large, with radio silence from the ownership and fans wanting explanations as frustration grows.
If this week was big, the next week is to be even bigger on the pitch as two crunch clashes in the pla-off race take place at Victoria Road.
It’s make or break as the Daggers face another season of failure or possible success in the last throw of the dice.
The endgame seems nigh so long as the gap between Dagenham and the play-offs widens, surely we can’t have another season outside the top seven?
There is no reassuring statement on stability and the future, but we do know that the owners have great faith in Daryl as a manager, so I wouldn’t expect anyone to be going anywhere any time soon.
A week is a long time in football, and haven’t we learnt that this week! So let’s see where we are next Saturday, it could well be in the play-offs, these players are known to perform when under fire.
First up Solihull, then Eastleigh under the lights at Victoria Road. Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be another action-packed week at Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club.
Come On You Daggers!
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