Dagenham & Redbridge

22/23 Position: 10th

Founded: 1992

Nickname: The Daggers

Ground: Victoria Road

Key Player: Elliot Justham

Opening Fixtures:

Altrincham (A)

Southend (H)

Gateshead (H)

Maidenhead (A)

Barnet (H)

The Odds:

Title: 33/1

Promotion: 16/1

Top 7: 5/2

Manager: Ben Strevens

One of my top choices for the Dagenham job, Strevs came into a difficult environment, steadied the ship, and then turned it round. He‘a a coach who has been immensely successful before, taking Eastleigh to the playoffs, and this appointment feels like a very good fit for the former player. He does face a rebuilding job, and to be honest I expected more moves to be made earlier. That’s my only slight concern: how well backed has Strevs been?

Key Signing: Frank Vincent Verdict:

There are scarce few keepers in the National League as expedienced as Justham. That experience is going to be even more crucial in a season where several senior heads have left the dressing room. It’s also a summer where speculation of a move for the keeper loomed, to Southend of all places, only for him to put an end to the doubts by extending his contract. He’s a very good keeper in his own right too. A solid shot stopper and one who has an extremely long kick, which allows him to feed Inih Effiong up top directly. At times last season I felt the Daggers lacked energy and legs in midfield. The addition of promotion winner Frank Vincent will certainly combat those key issues. A midfielder with the quality to match his energy, Vincent has a sweet left foot. He’s also versatile, and if Strevs chooses to persist with the wing back system he inherited then we may see Vincent used as a left wing back, a role he really took to in the latter portion of the season with Notts.

On the surface it might seem crazy that I’m suggesting the Daggers will actually regress this season, despite having a new manager who I rate. However, it’s a complete rebuild for the Daggers, with crucial senior players leaving all over the pitch. It’ll take time for a new dressing room to gel, and while they’ve added some quality, I’m not exactly sold on all of their signings. A tough one to call to be honest.

Prediction: 14th