Strevens perfect for Daggers

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With the departure of Dwight Gayle just under two months ago, it was looking bleak for Daggers in front of goal.

Despite the club picking up victories, they weren’t coming in the same manner as they were during the early months of the season. That lack of flair and lack of goal threat was beginning to tell heading into an icy January.

To add to the sense of insecurity in front of goal, the wins dried up – creating a degree worry going forward. The team had begun to perform slightly poorer than they had previously, perhaps showing a lack of confidence going forward. I think our strikers have plenty of potential, but we needed someone who has experience and who is a proven goalscorer.

Sam Williams tends to have his best games away from home. His all-round hold up play is excellent; the problem was that that there was no one to feed off his immaculate service.

Brian Woodall gave the team an extra kick, but never really looked like finding the back of the net on a consistent basis despite his goal away at Morecambe.

Jake Reed isn’t full developed yet, whilst Louis Dennis has made a single appearance for the club.

Then, on transfer deadline day, Ben Strevens came in. As the clock struck 6pm, the club announced the signing of Strevs on a six-month contract. Not only does he represent a much needed leader in front of goal, he also represents someone who knows the club and what it is about.

He was part of our Conference winning team and led the line himself during the 2007/2008 season with Paul Benson out injured.

Strevens is someone that we desperately need. You know what you’re getting with him. A hard worker who knows where the back of the net is – he couldn’t have come back at a better time.

The fact of the matter is, since that Benson/Strevens partnership was broken up, we’ve never quite looked the same in front of goal. There’s never been that assurance, that duo or character that you associate with a leading pair of strikers.

It also represents the completion of a circle of Strevs, who despite spells at Brentford, Wycombe and Gillingham never quite lived up to the form that made him so prominent at Daggers.

His return is welcomed with open arms by the club and fans alike and hopefully with him on board we can kick on and move up the table. The doubtless enthusiasm that he brings to the squad should motivate the squad and get the terrace rocking once more.

The timing of his return couldn’t be more precise either, with his second home debut coming against Paul Benson’s Cheltenham Town on Saturday. To see these two fantastic former Daggers marksman on the same pitch again will be a privilege to behold, although hopefully it’ll be the current Dagger that prevails in the scoring stakes.

What I’m basically trying to say is: welcome back Strevs – we’ve missed you. His last goal came in a 3-0 home victory over Bradford City, let’s hope he can replicate that and we can replicate the scoreline on Saturday afternoon.

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