The Opposition View: Dagenham & Redbridge

Last updated : 15 September 2014 By Jim Bonner

How do you rate Dagenham's start to the season?

I think we've actually had a below average start this season. Nobody expected us to set League Two alight, but given our attacking prowess and creativity going forward, it's disappointing to be in the lower reaches even at this early stage.

Our main trouble, continuing on from the back end of last season, has been our home form. We've already lost three times at home in the league, and add that on to our League Cup tie with Brentford and we've shipped 14 goals at home in just four matches. In essence, it's been an OK start to the season, but it could and probably should have been a lot better. 

Liam O'Brien was once at Pompey as a youth player. What do Daggers fans think of him?

As of this weekend, the fans are quite split on O'Brien. Whilst he's undoubtedly a very good shot stopper, his decision making leaves a lot to be desired. He was at fault for at least one goal in Saturday's defeat to Cambridge, with some supporters believing he could have done better on all three.

The main gripe is that he's not an improvement on what we had with Chris Lewington last season, a decent enough shot stopper although not quite as good, supplemented with even worse decision making than Lewington who often was prone to a mistake in that area. There's a feeling that he may well be dropped for the visit to Fratton Park on Tuesday.  

Who have been your best performers so this season?

Two players stand out head and shoulders above the rest. Abu Ogogo, our ever consistent central midfielder and captain, and veteran forward Jamie Cureton who joined in the summer. Cureton in particular has been a revelation, playing a part in all but one or two of the goals we've scored this season. Ogogo on the other hand is your no nonsense central midfielder, and as ever, as he has been for the past five years at Victoria Road, been utterly faultless.

A notable mention must also go to Matt Partridge who has come in superbly, whilst Ashley Chambers and Andre Boucard have also been pleasing in the midfield.  

What are the biggest weaknesses in your team?

Look at the goals against column and you have your answer. Not to mention our continued inability to deal with set-pieces, an issue that has not been dealt with in 13 months of frustration. 

What sort of football does this Dagenham side play? Do you like to get the ball down and play or are you a more physical team?

We generally like to try and pass the ball around, and with our forward line, we're adept on the break, especially away from home. It probably explains why our home form is so poor and our away form pretty good since the turn of the year, and with Cureton up front, we always have a goal threat. We do sometimes have a tendency to lump it long if we get frustrated, although these days it rarely works.  

Given that Pompey have lost their last three league games without scoring, do you fancy your chances of getting a result on Tuesday?

Absolutely not. Last season we went to Pompey full of hope on Boxing Day, our biggest game of the season without a doubt, playing against a side that hadn't won in 13 or something ridiculous like that with only one or two home wins all season - we promptly lost in the most dire display of the season. A performance only beaten by our home mauling by you in April.

This year I also expect us to lose, although with our away record on Tuesday night's reading pretty impressively under Burnett, I have some confidence ahead of the fixture.  

Predict the outcome of the match.

I'll go with a 1-1 draw, Pompey equaliser to break Daggers hearts in the last minute of injury time.