FL2: Dagenham & Red v Torquay Utd - 27 August 2011

Poor old Plymuff at the bottom of the League ;D

well happy with that result,great 2nd half for the boys,just a point off playoffs,happy days ahead of us,know some of you wont agree,but hey ho,well done lingy for the rollocking you must have given the boys at half time.....simon

Never ride on the pavement - I ride too fast for that.

Don't jump lights/junctions - being scooped up by a Paramedic has no appeal.

Absolutely. The two halves were such a contrast and much credit must go to the manager and players for turning it around.

We looked worse than we did at Aldershot in today's first half. Hardly a pass seemed to reach its target, we were missing tackles and tbh it looked as if we didn't really fancy it. Our two centre backs looked like they'd never played together before (they haven't) and Saah in particular had a difficult half as Dagenham threatened to overrun us. Our midfield went missing and as a result we started conceding free kicks as some rash tackles started flying in (I thought O Kane's booking was harsh, but it was certainly full-blooded). After a perky first few minutes our front men hardly saw the ball. The Stevens/Robbo combo on the right looked very shaky indeed. The thing that was concerning me was how quiet we were. Olejnik (who I rate) is virtually silent. There was nobody (and still isn't anybody) resembling a Branston figure who can give instuctions and ensure people were doing their jobs. But for some poor finishing, I thought we were very fortunate to go in at half time with just a one goal deficit.

We came out a bit earlier than Dagenham in the 2nd half and it was good to see us kicking towards the Away End. We had a lot more purpose and after a steady start we started to produce the quick, counter-attacking football we did in the first half at Bristol. Our wingers received service, we actually had a midfield and Howe and Atiento received lots of balls to run on to. I was very impressed with Howe - he looks dangerous, holds the ball up and generally looks the business for a League 2 striker. Morris had a better second half and I was impressed with the 20 minute cameo from the new Bodin. Quick feet with a few tricks up his sleave, a good debut from him as sub.

The Dagenham players felt the penalty was outside the area. I couldn't see myself, but it was definately close to the line. Howe took it very well indeed.

Still feel a bit fleeced at £22 for a seat, but not 'ripped off'. To be fair to Dagenham the new stand is an excellent facility for away fans. Lots of clubs would give away fans the open terrace they have at the other end.

Saw this sign on the way out :



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Absolutely spot on. The first ten minutes were quite good. Then our performance deteriotated to such an extent that as half time approached I was seriously losing the will to live and questionned my own sanity for driving from West to East London and paying £22 to watch such abject rubbish. The first boos of the season rang out at 32 mins after yet another simple basic move broke down almost before it began. Olejnik and Ellis were probably the only two who came out of the first half with any credit. Morris and Saah were both nervous as hell and after 5 matches already seem to be getting singled out for a disproportionate amount of stick. Saah looked very nervous in particular but there were far too many poor clearances, weak headers and getting caught out of position. Ellis was at least decisive even if the output was a bit basic. Nico and Robbo looked slow and ponderous, O'Kane kept giving the ball away and Mansell seemed to moan about everything for a good 10 minutes after the referee unintentionally impeded him. Howe and Atieno looked like a couple going through a bitter divorce, a distinct lack of awareness, really poor body language and a lack of effort shown In particular Howe really irritated me with an unwillingness to try and make things happen. Stevens had a few glimpses but either lacked a target or support when up against two defenders.

The players walked off to more boos.

I have to say that the first half is probably the worst I've seen in many seasons. You could attach a whole host of words to describe it. "It was absolute shite" seems to do it justice the most.

Half time depression set in. Conversation was muted. Crawley losing 3-0 afforded a Roger Moore raising of eyebrows but that was that.

Torquay ran back on after dodging Martin Ling's half time crockery. It still took about ten minutes for any discernable improvement. O'Kane was getting more ball. Stevens and Morris looked much more threatening and Kramer V Kramer up front started to move much better. We started to really look like a team again and showed a passage of play which included some excellent passing, real attacking intent and lots of pressure on their goal. Their keeper made some excellent saves, there was a couple of almighty scrambles resulting in a decent penalty shout for handball and a couple of headed clearances from Dagenham players who knew nothing about them.

The new Billy came on for Atieno to provide fresh impetous. He's a lively boy is the new Billy. Two footed, nippy and tricky. A decent through ball released him in to space and the defender brought him down. Penalty. Howe likes taking penalties. 1-1.

After that there were a few half chances. Daggers had a couple of wild shots. But that was that. We probably deserved all three points on the second half performance alone but maybe a better side than Daggers would've buried us by half-time. The best thing that the worst performers in the first half became our better players in the second half.

A season of transition it certainly is. Martin Ling came into the club bar at the end with a cold bottle of Budweiser. I think he probably deserved it, although if I was in his shoes I would've had something a bit stiffer at half time.

This is exactly who the playes call haters and you can see why!