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.