Dagenham v Cambridge

[StagsForLife]

Match discussion in here please.

 

[Leewilson]

We never win on Boxing Day. Our idiot Assistant manager is likely to be in charge as we won't have appointed someone/Still by then.

A defeat. 0-2

 

[huddsmoose]

I'll be disappointed if we don't win this - to have a realistic chance of a play off place we need to start closing the gap a bit, or at least not let it get any bigger.

We have hit some form of late and away results have been better than home results all season so:

A scrappy 2-1 victory in front of 2900 (1,000 Cambridge)

 

[AmberRich]

Last season's away game at Dagenham I enjoyed massively. So I've been looking forward to this game. Is it bad that I'm looking forward to Boxing day more than Christmas day?
I think the score will be 3-1 Cambridge. A goalkeeping error leading to Dagenham's only goal.

 

[Vanni]

I expect nothing less than 3 points, but not to keep in touch with the play offs or anything, just because we're better than the Daggers that's all. TBH, I was hopeful of making the po's but I said only if we can keep hold of Williamson. Sadly that's not happening, and although we may bring Gaffney back, he's a different type of striker. Looking at the way we play, Williamson is what we need not Gaffney.

 

[AmberRich]

I expect nothing less than 3 points, but not to keep in touch with the play offs or anything, just because we're better than the Daggers that's all. TBH, I was hopeful of making the po's but I said only if we can keep hold of Williamson. Sadly that's not happening, and although we may bring Gaffney back, he's a different type of striker. Looking at the way we play, Williamson is what we need not Gaffney.

Yeah I agree. I thought if we kept Williamson then we'd get Playoffs. Now that's looking unlikely I'm starting to doubt it. Let's see what happens in January I guess.

 

[sam95]

Yeah I agree. I thought if we kept Williamson then we'd get Playoffs. Now that's looking unlikely I'm starting to doubt it. Let's see what happens in January I guess.

We might even get a new goalkeeper! That's what would really improve the team.

 

[AmberRich]

We might even get a new goalkeeper! That's what would really improve the team.

I've seen a few fans link us with Stephen Bywater. Though I don't know if there is any truth in these rumours.

 

[SVH]

I've seen a few fans link us with Stephen Bywater. Though I don't know if there is any truth in these rumours.

Bywater is currently training with us but the club haven't made up their mind on him yet.

 

[AmberRich]

Bywater is currently training with us but the club haven't made up their mind on him yet.

Some of our fans seem to think we're interested in him. Apparently he was at the game on Saturday but if he's training with you then that'll be the reason he was there.

 

[Laker]

Bywater would be a good solution. Frankly a brick wall would be a step up.

I'm really up for the game today. I feel like I've been eating and drinking relentlessly for the last week or so (doing that and working up to Xmas eve is not easy) and I'm therefore pleased just to be getting out the house. I missed Dagenham last season as it was round my wedding. So it'll be a new ground for me.

As for the game, we need at least 6 points from the next 3 games to keep our play off challenge going and today is a big opportunity to get 3 of those points. I think Derry is bold enough to attack Dagenham from the off so I'm reasonably confident today. But it'll be very close, like 2-1 or something. We haven't kept a clean sheet in 14 games or so which is staggering.

If we break 1,000 away fans today I'll be delighted but I suspect we'll take more like 900.

 

[r1ch1e]

0-0 with both teams looking as average as the other, away side get a goal and then we crumble and concede a couple more.

Painfully repetitive.

 

[Leewilson]

We're a shambles. An absolute shambles. Thanks for the squad Wayne!

 

[Vanni]

First half both sides were poor, but we came out looking for the goal in the second, which we got early on. Yeah, I'd be worried if I supported the Daggers, the players looked demoralised after conceding the first goal, and although this is never a good sign, it's also pretty understandable I guess as it happens a lot with those sides at the wrong end of the table.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

First 10 minutes we started well and Dagenham looked on the ropes making plenty of mistakes, but our lack of width didn't allow us to expose the weaknesses and the game got very narrow, allowed Dagenham to get a bit of confidence and they were the better side for the last 20 minutes of the half, although that's not saying much.

Think we should've gone 3-5-2 at the Taylor injury, weren't getting threatened out wide or done particularly by pace up top so think we'd have been OK and would've allowed Ledson, Berry and Newton to all be in the middle which is where they need to be, got a chance to do that though with the injury to Donaldson and it was an inspired change, Simpson was absolutely outstanding and the system allowed us to get our players in the right position and finally play some really nice football. Great header for the first, abysmal wall for the second, and our third goal was excellent. Shame we didn't go for one or two more but with a game in 2 days time lowering the tempo is fine, and if that's all we really have to complain about then it can't be too bad!

Simpson MOTM but Legge was absolutely brilliant too. Hopeful the Donaldson/Corr injuries aren't too bad but the Taylor one did not look good. If Corr is OK I'd play the XI as it was when the goals went in, whilst switching to 4-4-2 worked at half time when we were losing against Notts County, I don't think it really suits our personnel at the moment, we've got to get Berry, Newton and Ledson (who was absolutely dire in the first half today) in the middle together. Whilst that does pin Dunk down at left back it's not such an issue if we look as creative as we did in that 30 minute spell second half today, and hopefully would allow Gaffney to slot right in for Williamson assuming he doesn't stay.

Fear for Dagenham, defence was a shambles and they just look completely beat. I suppose their saving grace is that if they can get someone in who can tighten the defence up a bit, then with Cureton up front you've always got the potential to nick a few 1-0 wins, but I wouldn't be putting any money on them staying up at this point.

Very satisfying result though. Form table looks good at the moment but we've got to get another 3 points on Monday, Barnet have hit a little bit of form so won't be easy but if we play to our best then we'll win the game.

 

[SVH]

4 wins and 1 Draw in our last 5. We go again on Monday!

 

[SVH]

Some of our fans seem to think we're interested in him. Apparently he was at the game on Saturday but if he's training with you then that'll be the reason he was there.

Are you confused here? By "us" I mean Cambridge United.

 

[AmberRich]

Oops sorry. I have bad eyes and I didn't look at your profile properly. I confused you with StagsForLife

 

[Laker]

Excellent day for us today, nothing better than seeing your side win on the road with the goals scored right in front of a decent away following. We were very average first half but the Donaldo injury/Rimpson sub completely changed the game.

Still more to do but I'm cautiously optimistic of where we're going.

 

[Arbury]

First half was dire, both sides were equally as crap as each other, the pitch looked a difficult one, bobbly and sticky with Taylor's injury no surprise, fingers crossed its not as serious as it looked, you could tell the poor sod was in a lot of pain.

The introduction of Simpson changed the game 2nd half and was pleased for him, think it's been quite difficult always being on the fringes recently and with bbb not looking 100% he should get a run in the side.

KTF.