Am I the first one back from the game then? Oh dear. Here goes...
First half, Daggers were quicker out of the blocks and we looked a bit disorganised. We played in a similar way to the Cheltenham game really - too much hoofball with De Vita and Bodin winning next to nothing in the air and being unable to hold the ball up. The main positives were that Phil Smith commanded his area well, and Esejas was running rings around their defenders at times. I have no idea if De Vita was fouled for the penalty appeal, but he was pretty livid after it wasn't given and he was through on goal otherwise.
Second half, we just seemed to lack ideas. Nothing much was happening and the game was crying out for a change. After De Vita and Bodin once more wasted possession between them Paolo threw his arms up in the air, called Connell over and brought him on. Suddenly the Town fans had belief, and the players responded, with neater passing, energetic closing down and some serious pressure on the Daggers defence. Connell was putting himself about and winning things and it looked like we might score. A few chances came our way, one or two which were blocked or cleared off the line... but then it all died down when the penalty was given. I have no idea if the ref got it right or wrong, it was at the other end. But that was that. We lost our way and started playing hoofball again. the ref started blowing up for anything even close to a foul, booking Ritchie for an accidental handball, booking Kerrouche for what may or may not have even been a foul, penalising Connell for going in for a 50-50 ball and generally disrupting the game. We looked lost, and I can only hope we have a few more ideas come Sunday.
I'd like to see Connell start, possibly with Kerrouche. Ferry in for Risser isn't a bad shout, and we really need to see more from Matt Ritchie soon. I'd give man of the match to Flint tonight, making it 3 out of 3 for him. It says a lot about the way we've performed.
Absolutely spot on. I came away feeling throughly disheartened last night, but I don't like being overly negative so early on because players are still settling. But at what stage do we start to worry?
Look, take the penalty out of the equation and there was no way we were losing last night. Dagenham were really, really bad. if we had drawn, a hard-fought point is palatable and four points from three – including two away games – doesn't sound so bad.
I think some of the foreign lads will settle in time, what worries me more is our reluctance to select our best players. Connell is streets ahead of de vita and Bodin and must start every game, while Risser just hasn't settled. How long do we give him? Maybe he is mustard and will get better, but we are carrying him at the mo - that is without question. If Ferry isn't going to play come what may, then why not sell him and buy someone else - his exclusion is so baffling.
And Amankwaah? I'm just concerned we're overlooking our more experienced players.
Paolo talks the talk, he really does talk sense, but he has to start transmitting that to his selections and more importantly, get his passion and ideas drilled into the players.
Only Connell, Kerrooooooooooouche, Flint and McCormack can come out of last night's game with any credit. Maybe Esejas...
Sunday is fricking massive. We can't afford to be nervous, we can't afford a slow start. We need to be up and at em. We need to be solid, potent going forward. We need to be organised. We need to be fucking up for it.
3 points, pride, honour... I'm nervous it after last night's performance, but a win could really solve some questions and kickstart our campaign. Paolo has learned some tough lessons, it's what he learns from them.
my team, based on the two games i've seen so far, and if clarke signs would be:
smith
mankwaah flint comazzi/devera cobochi
Caddis McCormack Ferry Ritchie/Esejas
connell clarke
