Easy win - in the end!!

What more could we ask for than a clean sheet from both our goalkeepers, Dagenham restricted to very few chances and three goals? Yes the performance as a whole could have been better, we could and should have been more dominant with the extra man in central midfield and we could have created more but overall it was a deserved victory against what I have to say was  a poor Dagenham side who to me had very few quality players and showed little to make me think they have much chance of staying up. As always Dagenham are a very welcoming club to our supporters but there have been quite a few occasions where I have been on these terraces and the team has not been very welcoming!! I half expected a defeat yesterday but that was solely based on the fact that I have gone there before very confident of winning and then being torn apart despite them not being on that good form when we have played them. On this occasion I needn't have worried although 1-0 is always a dangerous lead and when they brought Cureton on I must admit I was a bit worried that this was a game where we were going to get hit and it was a great relief to see the second goal go in. It really was that sort of game where the opponents were not good but neither really were we and although we didn't really look like conceding there was always the chance we would.

Puddy 6.5 Didn't appear to have any problems at all bar a few stretches that you would expect him to be doing following the injury he had. Without the restriction of having to kick the ball down the left side his kicking and distribution was good and he had little to do in the way of saves but appeared confident. It was a shock really to see him leave and I hope it was a precautionary substitution rather than a full blown recurrence of his injury as that could have a great bearing on his long term career.

Leadbitter 6 For me a very mixed performance. Not up to the level he was at the start of the season as a wing back but not bad either and went on several exciting runs and tried hard to give us width although it has to be said we were better down the left.

Clarke 7 Solid, uncompromising performance in a back three that restricted Dagenham to very little after an early chance that really should have at the very least worked Puddy hard. He sticks to his task, is willing to bring the ball out and is also when necessary capable of making sure the ball ends up out of the ground!
Lockyer 7 I would say not at his best but would add that he didn't need to be as in the main Dagenham posed little threat particularly after the first twenty minutes and our defenders were mainly in control but at times Lockyer's passing was off par but overall a dependable performance which we have come to expect.
Parkes 7 Strong but like Lockyer not at his very best but his only weakness was his distribution at times although it has to be said that considering the number of times he brought the ball out that criticism is being picky!! Can't really be too harsh on a defence that did it's job and kept a clean sheet with neither of our goalkeepers being really extended.

Brown 7.5 Brilliant goal and I must admit how good it is to see us being a little imaginative with our free kick routines which for me has happened since Lines has been missing. It seems when Lines plays it very much restricts the amount of involvement Lee Brown and Mansell have  and now Matty Taylor is also coming into the mix. There was an occasion in the second half where Lee was probably attacking too much and Dagenham had a clear run at our defence but that is going to happen now and again playing with no full backs.Overall he provided a great outlet and looked very dangerous, always stretching the opponents.

Mansell 8 MOM Led the team superbly by example. Always getting in a vital touch or tackle and being in the right place at the right time to both clear up and to start attacks
Sinclair 7 Just a typical Stu performance and we certainly missed him when he went off. Keeps ticking over and covering the whole pitch and with Manse I feel that we really could afford to play a more attacking player or should I say a more creative player than Ollie Clarke in the middle. For me there is the scope to play an Easter in there when we have the wing backs. I really hope that Stuart is fit for the next game as it did look a bit worrying when he went off and just hope it is not an injury similar to that which kept him out for so long last season.
O Clarke 5.5 For me not the answer in the midfield as he does not impose himself on the game and just does alright. Goes missing for a lot of the game and I would be looking to bring in a new central midfielder in January or trying Easter in that position. Lines when fit should be capable but for me he has not lived up to his reputation this season and seems to want to play a deep role which you certainly don't need if you are playing Mansell and Sinclair or Clarke with him. 

Gaffney 6.5 The most important thing for me yesterday was the way he took his goal and the fact he got it because this could have a great bearing on his future performances. He was not at his best yesterday but even then he was a willing runner who has the strength to hold the ball up and stretch the defence making room for Matty Taylor. The way he took his goal makes me think that there could be a fair few more to come if we can add him to our troops for the rest of the season.
Taylor 7 No goals but a good performance and was involved in two of the goals.

Subs

Mildenhall 7  I've given Mildy an extra mark over Puddy not only for the excellent save he made but because of the extra pressure he had to handle when he came on. It is not easy to come on in a game that is in balance when the person you are replacing has kept a clean sheet and knowing that your Manager no longer rates you as good enough to play at this level in preference to a player who has been out injured all season and only had two "play" games. Well done Mildy.

Gosling 5 Did very little and another I am not convinced about.
Bodin 6  Brings skill to the plate and the ability to score goals like the one he got which although a little fortunate needed the ability to bring under instant control and keep cool.

Ref 4 - poor. Another "homer" who seemed to give different decisions for the same offence!

Crowd 7 Love the Gaffney song and another good turnout considering its the last Saturday before Christmas. Looking at the overall crowd I was surprised it wasn't more away supporters as its didn't look like there were twice as many home fans as us in the 1800 crowd.

DC Another project successfully completed and that IMO is all you need say about the Man. To have us in seventh position at this stage of the season is a great achievement We weren't at our best but they say that is the sign of a good team when you win without playing at your peak. I still think that how he uses the January market will determine our fate this season. Myself I think we need to sort out the goalkeeper, Wingers, central midfield and striker position but to do that and maintain the magnificent team spirit is not an easy task whatever people think. I can't remember the last time Ellis took part in a  game, all the wingers are questionable and we definitely either need to sign Gaffney permanentally or get in another similar player. Then there is the small task of holding on to players we want to keep and finding clubs who want the players we don't. Oh and then the small matter of a keeper. DC in my opinion has pretty well put himself in a position of no return on Mildy and I believe I am right in saying that we have to actually sign Nicholls if we want him as his loan cannot be extended (correct me if I am wrong). We as aupporters must stick firmly behind DC because it is no mean task to turn this squad; which has so many players in it who have not been able to earn a regular position; into a promotion chasing team in May. I would give a big thumbs up to DC for what we have achieved, a second promotion would bring him deserved Legend status.

So we move on to Boxing Day. Another winnable game but also a potential banana skin. Wimbledon are unpredictable,have some good players and on their day can be tough opponents. I would take a point but this is Rovers and you never know. All you do know is that these players and Manager will give it their best shot. UTG