Too much passion or just irresponsibility?

Last weekend Daggers pulled off a bit of a shock result with an away win against in form Accrington Stanley.  New signing and former waiter Ade Yusuff came off the bench at the start of  the second half to score a brace and cancel out Stanley's first half lead and guarantee an unlikely 3 points for the Daggers.  The former Wagamama employee who reported left his job and took a pay cut to join the Daggers and realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer took his two goals well and gave the team the cutting edge that they had lacked in the first half.  It certainly looks as if the Daggers have found another rough diamond who certainly could become a big star in the future.  Yusuff is a very strong lad who is not easy to knock off the ball, he has good pace and certainly has no problem getting a shot away, he could be a very important player for the Daggers this season, he reminds in some ways of former Dagger Josh Scott, but maybe Ade is a bit more skillful.

Ade Yusuff opens his Daggers account.

After a good away win it was back home this week for a showdown with Newport County at Victoria Road.  The Daggers home form recently has been pretty poor and they would have been looking to put in a decent performance and hopefully get a second win on the bounce in front of their home fans.

Wayne Burnett had decisions to make before this game, after such an impressive performance from the 20 year old Ade Yusuff in the last game he was looking to get a start.  Due to a slight injury Daggers main striker Jamie Cureton was dropped to the bench and Yusuff took his place as the front man in a 442 cum 451 formation with winger Ashley Chambers playing off him as a second striker.

Obviously no one knew the reason for Cureton's drop to the bench before the game and there were some confused looks among the home supporters when the line ups were read out.

The Daggers started the game quite well and as in most home games looked the dominant force, George Porter had the best chance of the game when he was put through by Ashley Hemmings only to see his effort hit the wrong side of the net.  Yet again the Daggers went into the half time break as the better team but without a goal to show for it.  Newport had offered very little and Dagenham's formation was holding up quite well with Ade Yusuff working hard trying to carve out chances.

In the second half Newport came closest to scoring when they hit a post, to be fair though that was one of only a handful chances the visitors had, Daggers were still dominating the game and then just after the hour mark the first controversial decision of the game was made.  Ade Yusuff picked up the ball on the edge of the box and ran in to the area were he was blatantly tripped, the referee who was only 5 yards away decided this was not worthy over a penalty despite the protests of the players and the howls of the crowd.  This ref was certainly not a homer.  Just after the 70th minute came the long awaited arrival of Jamie Cureton from the bench.  Within a couple of minutes JC was involved and his presence and intelligent play was already causing the Welsh team problems.  Then came the big talking point of the game just before the 80th minute a clash between the two number 8's in midfield, Abu Ogogo the Daggers captain appeared to be pulled to the ground by Newport's Lee Minshull, there was a bit of tussle on the floor between the two before Ogogo got up and Menshull started rolling about like he had been shot in the face.  The Dagger skipper then had to be restrained by his team mates has he headed toward the Newport player.  The players eventually calmed down and Abu was sent off for a straight red card offence, I am not sure if it was for the foul if there was a foul by Ogogo or if it was for his behaviour after the foul was given.  If the decision was for the foul then it is just wrong and the Daggers should appeal but if it is for his actions afterwards then he aint got a leg to stand on.  I for one was disgusted with his attitude after the foul was given, I understand he was pissed off but the man has a responsibility as the club captain and he just acted like a petulant little kid looking for a fight in the playground.

Too much passion or  just irresponsibility.

After the sending off the Daggers continued to press, Jamie Cureton hitting the bar and then following up with a great effort that was somehow tipped over from the Newport keeper, but it wasn't to be Dagenham's day as in the 90th minute Chris Zebroski rose highest in the box above the Daggers defence and headed home an unlikely winner for the away team.

Another home game another home defeat, although it was a game we should have never ever lost, Daggers were the best team and regardless of whether the sending off was right or wrong they should have had a penalty and without the intervention of Joe Day the Newport stopper it could have been an easy win.

The Daggers now move on to a Tuesday night and an away game against former manager John Still and his in form Luton Town. It is going to be a tough game to get anything out of but you never know.  The daggers will probably be without 3 of their 5 first team midfielders on the understanding they don't appeal Abu's red card.  It could end up being a blessing in disguise as Wayne Burnett will now have to make changes to personnel and probably formation.  He may have to play a 442 formation with Yusuff and Cureton together up front.  You never know Burnett may just stumble across the winning formula, because I really don't think we are that far off, at times on Saturday we played some good stuff.  Hopefully with Labadie and Abu out Billy Bingham can finally get a run in the midfield and show just what a quality midfielder he really is.

Lets hope it is Billy's time to shine.

 Lets see if we can  get one over on Johnny Still, Luke Wilkinson, Scott Griffiths and Paul Benson and get a shock win at Kenilworth Road.

Come on you Daggers!!