Strevens: Dagenham & Redbridge must keep calm at Southend

Daggers head to Roots Hall sitting one place and two points behind their Essex rivals, with both clubs still harbouring outside hopes of securing a National League play-off spot.

But Strevens says his players cannot allow themselves to get caught up in the occasion and need to keep clear heads if they are to secure all three points again, following their 3-0 success last season.

“You’ve got to know how special a game it is, what’s at stake in terms of getting the three points but wanting to win against Southend,” he told the club website.

“The ones within the squad that have been here a length of time and the ones that were here last year and the feelings they had about going there and winning the game like they did, it’s coming from within.

“But you’ve got to try when you go out on the pitch to take that emotion out of it, try and play with that spirit we would any single game but clearly knowing it means a lot to people, wanting to try and get those three points.

“They can’t go out there tense and uptight about that, they’ve got to go and play and implement what we want them to do against Southend.

“They’re a decent team as well, they’re in and around us, still like us, hoping on a play-off place.

“Both teams will be trying to win, it’s going to matter just as much to Southend as it is to us.

“It’s who is going to deal with it on the day the best, who can play with a bit of calmness when it is heating around the stadium.

“It’s something we’re looking forward to. It’s the games I’d want to be involved in if I was a player and I want to be involved in as a coach and manager.”

Southend have taken seven points from a possible nine in April, having lost all seven of their fixtures in March.

And Strevens paid tribute to the efforts of Kevin Maher’s squad, given the club’s off-the-field issues.

“The resilience they’ve shown in the face of everything that has gone on at the club this year, the way the players have conducted themselves and the staff have conducted themselves across the season is a real credit to them,” he added.

“It would be easy for them to not have played the way they have and done what they’ve done over the season, with all the stuff going on behind the scenes – didn’t get paid for however long it was and I know there was a reason behind that which I can’t get involved in, but I just know from a staff point of view and player point of view how hard that must’ve been for all of them.

“No players at our level are on enough money that they can’t afford to not get paid for a month or two months when they’ve got mortgages to pay.

“They’ve got talented players. I know Shaun Hobson – he come on loan at Eastleigh, from Bournemouth, one of his first loans – and did very well for me.

“Cav [Cavanagh Miley] played I don’t know how many games for me, was always on the teamsheet every week so I know what he brings, not only as a player but a person. He’s a special lad and I want him to do well.

“I’m desperate for him to do well, but just not on Saturday for 90 minutes. Probably the first time from not being his manager that I don’t want him to have a good day. I’ve been a big supporter of his this last year.

“I’ll be looking for him to be a bit disappointed after the game. They’re good people and clearly have threats we’ve got to stand up against.”

Strevens has only picked up one point from nine at home since taking charge of Daggers, but he has celebrated away wins at Torquay and Boreham Wood, losing the other at Gateshead.

And he would dearly love more success on the road this weekend, having been mightily impressed by the travelling support shown to his side so far.

“The support has been great, especially the away support,” he said.

“At Boreham Wood I could sense how happy they were and the away crowd that comes with us and supports us is amazing.

“It’s my job to try and give them some things to cheer about and be happy about and we want to do that on Saturday.

“That’s a big thing for me, trying to get that connection back between the players and the supporters.

“That’s a big thing for me if we’re going to do well moving forward and a day like Saturday will probably give them the good feelings they want going into the end of the season and the summer, with good feelings about next season.

“We’ll certainly be looking, with the support we’re going to get, to try and give them a good day so they can go home really happy with the three points.

“It’s going to be a big support for them but also for us, with our fans being there, supporting us and wanting to get the three points. They’re the games you want to play in for your fans and try to do well.

“It’s easy to say it, but it’s taking the emotion out of the game and trying to play 90 minutes against whoever it will be and try to get the victory.”