Fans hoping for a ‘Strevolution’ at Dagenham & Redbridge

The crunch clash at Southend last Saturday saw a Dagenham side frankly not turn up, a sentiment shared by Ben Strevens who didn’t hide his disappointment and frustration this week.

But the new manager has, after a difficult few weeks, managed to achieve one of his initial goals in bringing the fans closer to the team – at least in part. 

His honesty and frustration in recent interviews has encouraged supporters with signs of change on the horizon; what has been dubbed a ‘Strevolution’ in the summer.

Also, his gesture of buying a drink for the 13 loyal supporters who made the trip to Altrincham on Tuesday night has been praised as action on his words of bringing the fans closer.

That is closer to the management at least, with the team yet to rekindle that same connection after another disappointing campaign. 

So Strevens is perhaps the only person who has been boosted in the last week as supporters demand more of the players, with last Saturday’s match a microcosm of the last few seasons.

It was a last chance for some players you felt, to prove themselves, and frankly they failed in that endeavour. 

There was a distinct lack of quality from Dagenham – in both boxes – as they gifted the Blues the three points and a chance at the play-offs.

The performance was typical of a side coming to the end of a cycle, after three consecutive attempts at reaching the play-offs; it was tired and, not for the want of trying, uninspiring. 

It was that defeat to Southend that brought the season to a close, but the trip to Altrincham again saw how this season has fizzled out, a result not delivered for the 13 supporters who made the trip on Tuesday night.

However it was an entertaining game with four goals in all, one scored by George Saunders (albeit fortuitously) and I was delighted to see him back on the scoresheet.

After a difficult start to life at Dagenham, marred by injury, hopefully next season will be his opportunity to impress in front of the Daggers faithful.

It is the last game in front of the home crowd today as FC Halifax Town visit and brings to a close another hectic campaign at Victoria Road which saw a goodbye to another manager, welcoming back an old Dagger to help the late revival. 

Hopefully Strevens can bring what he wants to the home crowd, who he gave so much as a player – something to cheer about – next season.

For now, let’s get behind the team for the last two games of this season as we look ahead to the next campaign and see if it will finally deliver play-off football! 

Until next week, Come On You Daggers!