Sharpening their Daggers

THE Dagenham & Redbridge revolution under Wayne Burnett has really started to gain momentum in recent weeks, writes Ricky Butler. The pub team from Essex, who only survived in the Football League at the end of last season on goal difference, currently sit just three points off the top of Sky Bet League Two after a run of only one defeat from 11 games.

Dagenham & Redbridge are once again defying the odds under the guidance of Wayne Burnett

It has been quite a transformation down at Victoria Road. Following the departure in February of legendary boss John Still things looked to have been on a downward spiral for the Daggers. A dreadful run of results under caretaker-manager Burnett, who had been a coach under Still, saw the club sink towards the relegation trap door and they only survived on the final day of the season thanks to Barnet's defeat at Northampton.

Still had transformed the club from Ryman League also-rans into League Two play off winners and his side was just one point away from League One survival in 2011. But that great team, which included such household names as goalkeeper Tony Roberts, defender Mark Arber, midfielders Romain Vincelot and Danny Green, and striker Paul Benson, soon broke up and it appeared that the Daggers 6-year stay in the Football League was about to come to an end with the departure of Still to Conference Premier side Luton earlier this year.

Burnett, 42, who had previously managed at Fisher Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet and Grays, was thrown in at the deep end and he very nearly drowned. Having looked all-but safe when Still left, the Daggers won only two of their final 14 matches and were dragged into the relegation dogfight which they only survived by default, having lost the final match of the season at home York City.

After keeping the club up, albeit by the narrowest of margins, Burnett, who appeared in the Sky TV drama Dream Team, was offered the job on a permanent basis over the summer and he slowly set about rebuilding the side. The arrival of former Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy gave the Daggers a sharper cutting edge but a run of only one win from their opening 6 matches appeared to justify their pre-season tag of relegation favourites.

However, Burnett's young side was boosted further by the arrival of ex-West Ham and Bradford forward Zavon Hines just before the end of the transfer window and suddenly they were transformed. But while it has been the goals of the front two - 12 to their credit so far - that has rightly caught the headlines it has been the defensive solidity that has seen them become so hard to beat.

Zavon Hines in action for the Daggers

Goalkeeper Chris Lewington has proved a worthy successor to Roberts while former Weymouth centre half Scott Doe has taken on the responsibility at the back alongside another new signing, Brian Saah, a local lad who joined from Torquay. Burnett has also managed to get more from midfield duo Luke Howell and ex-Arsenal trainee Abu Ogogo, while Medy Elito has revelled in the free role behind the strikers.

The team has a freshness about them. They are young, fast and hungry. The team spirit and work rate, so important under Still, have been reignited and a surprise play-off challenge now looks possible at Victoria Road. Burnett, however, is trying to keep things in perspective.

"I can’t praise my players enough," said the young Daggers boss. "Against all the odds they’ve done brilliant. Let’s not forget, we’re the bookies favourite to go down. I know they aren't always right and our budget isn’t up there with the big boys but the team are surpassing expectations and to be where we are is fantastic.

"We’ve got a long way to go, we’re not getting carried away; we haven’t done anything yet. I’ll be more interested to see where we are after Christmas, to see if we’re still in contention, but hopefully we will be."

Having beaten league leaders Rochdale 3-1 last Saturday, the Daggers are fast becoming the surprise package of the season. Many in Essex thought the club would never again reach the heights of the Still regime but perhaps under Burnett they can surpass that. The revival continues at Hartlepool this weekend.

This is how it feels to draw away at West Brom

OF course we should have known what to expect. The last 7 away games Emerson and I had been to had yielded just 4 Arsenal goals, although the great day up at Newcastle in May more than made up for that.

But we both believed this would be different. The good form of the team and the chance to see Mesut Ozil in the flesh for the first time meant we made the 170-mile journey down the A1, M18, M1, A42, M42, M6 and M5, full of optimism.

Emerson was going for an exciting 3-2 victory, I was thinking more 2-1. Either way we were both confident that we would see Arsenal score more once in an away game for the first time since a 3-0 victory up the road at Wolves back in March 2012.

The journey down was smooth and took around 2 and a half hours, which included a brief stop off at Tamworth. Parking near the ground was more of a problem. I refuse to pay £5 to park in a car park on land that does not even belong to the people asking for the money, so we searched for a side street instead.

West Bromwich, it appears, does has a large Asian population. In fact every house in every street we drove down was occupied by Asians and whatever you feel about multiculturalism, and I personally think it enriches our lives if managed in the correct way, this does make you feel a little uncomfortable.

Emerson tried to re-assured me by pointing out that Muslims (although there was nothing to say these were Muslims, I should point out) are against all crime so it would be safe to leave the car there as no one would break into it. Good thinking, son...So we found a place on one of the Asian estates and took our chances.

Say what you like about West Brom but the birds are quality

On the walk to the ground a lad on a bike rode past and said, 'Hope you thrash them Baggies today.' Clearly a Wolves fan! A sign, I thought.

Emerson likes to get in the ground and to his seat early, but I bumped into an old friend Rob in the concourse and stopped for a chat. Emerson was not having any of it and literally dragged me up to our seats, which were just to the right of the goal about halfway up. A good view.

The view from our seats

The atmosphere was building nicely now with Emerson particularly enjoying the new Ozil song, sung to the tune of This Is How It Feels by the Inspiral Carpets; 'How does it feel to be Tottenham, how does it feel to be small, you sold Bale and we signed Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil, Mesut Ozil...'

Say what you like about WBA but the atmosphere in the stadium is great. The teams came out to some techno dance number which Emerson was jigging about to like he was at his school disco, and then the real action could began.

Arsenal was attacking the home end in the first half, always the best way I feel, and the majority of the play was in their half of the pitch. Although we had all the possession we rarely looked like opening them up and the only real chances we created was a shot from Gibbo which flew over the top, after an unreal pass from Ozil, and an effort from Rambo which was well saved by Boaz Myhill.

With half time approaching, Albion, who had looked sharp and well organised throughout, started to threaten and they took the lead three minutes before the break. Jenko's clearance from a corner only fell to Mulumbu who played it out wide to Amalifitardo and his cross was headed in at the near post by Yacob - his first goal for the club as the stadium announcer took great pleasure in informing us.



Emerson always enjoys his away days

Having not conceded first in any game this season, and not at all away from home since our last defeat on the road at Spurs in March, we were unsure how we would respond. The answer looked to be not very well judging by the opening period of the second half. Twice Anelka, who always scores against us, should have made it 2-0, and had he done so it would have been game over.

But we began to show the character that Wenger has often spoken about, although it was only after the introduction of Rosicky that we really began to look like getting back on level terms. Most around us were screaming for Jack to be taken off as he was not having his best game, but instead it was Rambo who made way, much to the indignation of the chap behind me who proceeded to call Wenger every name under the sun for leaving Jack on the pitch. He was not alone either.

But Wenger is paid £7m a year to make such decisions while the chap behind me is not. And within 4 minutes we could see why. Ozil started the move by tracking back and winning the ball on the edge of our penalty area (something of the Bergkamp's about him - not afraid to do the dirty work) before setting off on a run down the left.

He played the ball up to Giroud who cut inside and fed Rosicky on the edge of the area. His lay-off was perfect for the fast-arriving Jack who hit an instant left-footed shot into the corner of the net via a slight deflection off Olsson - only his second ever Premier League goal which the stadium announcer did not feel the need to inform us of. Cue delirium in the away end.

There are few better feelings in the world than seeing your team score at your end away from home, especially if that goal puts you in front or brings you level. Emerson is now getting tall enough to see most of the action and he really enjoyed this goal, jumping about and, oddly, slapping me on the head. Not that I minded of course.

When the celebrations had died down, I turned to the guy behind me and said, 'Perhaps that is why he kept him on...' He just nodded and grunted.

Now for the winner. But it did not arrive. Giroud came closest when Jack, now moved centrally and thus having more influence, picked him out with an Ozil-like ball and the big striker tried to round Myhill. However, the 'keeper managed to get his hand to the shot and kept it out.

The final 20 minutes saw both teams try and win it. Well when I say both teams, I actually mean Arsenal. WBA seemed content to waste time and hang on for the point, although in the end I think that was probably the most we deserved anyway. Credit to Albion though who look a good side and will take points off most of the top sides. And Man. United.

The highlight of the second half, apart from Jack's goal of course, was the news that Spurs were losing 3-0 at home to West Ham. 3-0 to West Ham. At home! Very funny of course, especially as it meant the draw was enough to take us back to the top, but hardly reason for some moron behind us to sing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' for ten minutes. Some people really do take Spurs far too seriously.

So not the goal-fest Emerson and I were hoping for but the second half in particular was very enjoyable. Not many teams will come here and win so a draw was a decent result. And they always feel so much better when you have come from behind too. (ooh, Matron!)

There were a few muted chants of  'We are top of the league' as we made our way out of the stadium, but the overriding feeling seemed to be one of disappointment. I tried to cheer up the guy next to me who was looking like his cat had died. 'Cheer up mate, we can't win every game,' I said. 'We looked tired but got a point. I'd say that was a decent effort.'

He smiled but I am not sure he agreed. That is the trouble with a winning run, it raises expectations.

Emerson now just wanted his customary post-match McDonalds, and after an hour-long queue in the traffic to get back on the M5, we stopped off at Tamworth again before demolishing a box of 20 nuggets between us.

Overall it was a good day out and a decent match. Of course we were disappointed not to see us win or score more than once, but we are still top of the league and nothing can beat the rock songs Emerson insists on playing on the journey home.

We're half way there, screamed Jon Bon Jovi from the speakers as we headed off up the M42. Not quite half way perhaps, but it is an encouraging start nonetheless. Next up for us is a trip to Old Trafford in November where revenge for the 8-2 may well be on the cards. So it is bound to finish 0-0 then. But we wouldn't change it for anything.

Now where is my Inspiral Carpets CD.

Daggers pace too much for struggling Stanley

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Store First Stadium

SECOND half goals from speedy strikers Zavon Hines and Rhys Murphy gave in-form Dagenham and Redbridge victory at the league’s bottom side Accrington Stanley on Friday evening.

After a tight, goalless first half in which Stanley’s Peter Murphy had struck a post, the match came to life after the break as swift counter attacks saw Hines and Murphy put the visitors in control.

Stanley did pull a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when substitute James Gray followed up to score after a shot from Will Hatfield had been pushed out by Daggers goalkeeper Chris Lewington, but it was too little too late for James Beattie’s side, who still await their first win of the season.

The Daggers had started the season as favourites to go down, having only survived on goal difference at the end of the last campaign, but manager Wayne Burnett has assembled a side with enough pace and quality to suggest they could instead challenge for a place in the play-offs.

Arriving in Lancashire on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, the Daggers started brightly with Hines going close in the 8th minute after getting in behind the Stanley defence, but goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, on loan from Fulham, did well to deny him.

It is a different story for poor Stanley, however. James Beattie, in his first managerial role, has really been throw in at the deep end and was forced to name himself on the bench such is the lack of numbers in the home ranks.

However, his troops looked the more likely in the first half and they were nearly rewarded after quarter of an hour. Lee Naylor whipped in a corner from the right and Peter Murphy’s header beat Lewington but not the upright.

It was a poor back pass from defender Brian Saah that presented Stanley with an even better opportunity midway through the half. Kayodi Odejayi was quick to react and beat Lewington to the ball but it spun away at the vital moment and the Daggers were able to clear their lines.

But the turning point arrived six minutes into the second period. The home fans behind the goal thought Shay McCartan had headed their side in front from a Tom Aldred cross, but the ball landed in the side netting and within moments the Daggers had made the breakthrough.

A swift counter attack saw Rhys Murphy slip in Hines and the former Bradford City man coolly slotted past Bettinelli for his first goal for the Essex club.

You could almost see the confidence drain from Beattie’s side after that and it was no surprise when the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour. It was another counter attack at pace that caused the problems - Hines this time returning the favour for Murphy to make it 2-0.

Beattie made all three substitutions - bringing on James Caton for his home debut, Kai Naismith and Gray – and it gave his side some impetus in the closing stages, but it was the Daggers who created the better opportunities. Hines came close to a second - firing over after good work from debutant Chris Dickson - before substitute Medy Elito headed wide from close range.

Stanley did give their fans something to cheer in the first minute of stoppage time when Lewington failed to hold a long range effort from Hatfield and Gray followed up to score, but it was not enough to prevent the Daggers moving to within two points a play-off place.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Bettinelli; Hunt (Caton 58), Aldred, Atkinson, Naylor; Murphy, Joyce, Miller(Naismith 70) , Hatfield; McCartan (Gray 78); Odejayi.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE - Lewington; Wilkinson, Connors (Illesanmi 76), Saah, Hoyte; Bingham, Ogogo, Howell; Hines, Obafemi (Elito 78), Murphy (Dickson 86).

REFEREE – M. Russell

ATTENDANCE: 1,833

Ozil off the mark as Arsenal crush Italian league leaders

ARSENAL 2 NAPOLI 0

By Ricky Butler at Emirates Stadium

ARSENAL conducted their Champions League business early last night as goals in the opening quarter of an hour from Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud made the ‘Group of Death’ look that little bit easier.

This victory over the previously-unbeaten Italian leaders, which make no mistake about it could have been by a much greater margin, made it two out of two in Group F and should not be under-estimated. Arsene Wenger’s side showed a quality and maturity which suggests they can become real contenders this season.

And in Ozil they have a very special talent. The first goal since his record-breaking transfer from Real Madrid last month was a thing of beauty. Giroud and man-of-the-moment Aaron Ramsey combined elegantly down the right after just six minutes but the Welshman’s cross still needed some finishing, and finish it Ozil did – first time, left-footed from 20 yards – giving Pepe Reina no chance.

Not content with that, the little German then created the second for Giroud, eight minutes later. Ozil headed straight for the right by-line and the French striker, who had started the move, burst into the six-yard box to fire into the roof of Reina’s net.

At this stage Arsenal looked as good as anyone in Europe. Napoli, in a strange camouflage kit, was shell-shocked as Wenger’s side showed all their new-found confidence. There cannot be many better players anywhere in the world at the moment than Ramsey and Ozil, and they were at the heart of everything. Meanwhile, in Giroud, the Gunners have a real outlet.

In fact it was the Frenchman who was the star of this particular show. It seems hard to believe now just how much he struggled at times last season as these days he looks the perfect centre forward. Running the channels and holding the ball up, Giroud even took on the role of Ozil early in the second period with a powerful run down the right. It would have been the assist of the season too had the returning Tomas Rosicky managed to apply the finishing touch.

But it mattered little in the end. With the job done, Arsenal eased off after the break but was still able to keep the Italians at arms length with relative ease. They could even have added a third in the closing stages when Reina somehow kept a close range effort from Laurnet Koscielny.

It is Koscielny's central defensive partnership with Per Metesacker that has slowly developed into one of the best in Europe, while in front of them, Mathieu Flamini is providing the extra security which has seen the club concede just six goals in their 10-match winning run since the opening day defeat by Aston Villa.

It is not often that so many players all reach their peak at the same time. The last time it happened at Arsenal was in the Invinsible’s season 10 years ago, but this group are showing they could be worthy successors.

The balance is right throughout the side and when you take into account the quality of the players currently out injured – Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – thoughts that the squad is not strong enough are soon dismissed.

Concerns remain over what would happen should Giroud pick up an injury, but a revitalised Nicklas Bendtner could do a job, while Podolski is another option when he returns in the next few weeks.

Wenger even had the luxury of resting Jack Wilshere last night as Rosicky was back from a hamstring injury, picked up on international duty. The 32-year old Czech has struggled with injury over the years but is still an important player when fit. He adds a new dimension to their attacking play with his electric change of pace and dribbling ability.

So while Ramsey and Ozil are rightly picking up all the plaudits, the glass is most certainly overflowing for Wenger at the moment. So much so in fact that the ‘Group of Death’ might just become a walk in the park. The forthcoming head-to-head with last year’s finalists Borussia Dortmund may well tell us more.

"This group still looks very tight," said Wenger at the whistle. "The key game will be us against Dortmund here in the next game. But winning is a nice habit to have.

"I am delighted, of course. It was a very enjoyable game with a fantastic first half, played with a great pace and belief. The second half was a bit more cautious and we played not to make a mistake."

On Ozil, the Arsenal boss said: "We are lucky to have got him. He just enjoys to play football and you can see that on the pitch. He has integrated quickly. He came in at a time where we are doing well and that has made it easier.

Asked if Flamini could be as influential a signing as Ozil, Wenger said: "He gives a balance to team and qualities that are needed for sure.

"Look, we are here to win trophies but there is along way to go. We have a good basis, we have good potential but lets just focus on the next game."

Arsenal; a force to be reckoned with both domestically and in Europe. Who’d have thought it.