The PFA named its League 2 team of the year way back in April. Needless to say we disagree entirely with several of their selections; some of the choices never really shone against us and other less-renowned players had possibly their best games against ourselves. Here are the best we’ve seen in opposing line-ups over the course of the season.
GK. Chris Dunn (Northampton Town)
The Cobblers stopper is an imposing figure at 6ft 4in, and surely has a big future in the game at only 22. He managed to shut the Daggers out in both matches between the two sides this season, with the highlight being a fabulous save from a Peter Gain volley. He made plenty of other saves though and looked consistently assured under the barrage of crosses we put into the area. Easily the best opposing keeper we’ve seen.
RB. John Johnson (Northampton Town)
It was perhaps obvious in both matches against the Cobblers that their right-back was on loan from a higher level. Indeed 21-year-old John Johnson signed for Northampton on loan in September and played in both matches against the Daggers. Solid defensively and more than capable of making attacking forays, he capped his performance in the 1-0 victory at Victoria Road with a superb curled finish after cutting in from the right flank. He is back at Middlesbrough in an attempt to catch the eye of Gordon Strachan in pre-season and he has every chance of doing so.
LB. Tom Kennedy (Rochdale)
Our first player in agreement with the PFA’s team, Kennedy is an obvious choice. He oozes class with a wand of a left foot which sees him take most of Dale’s set plays, and is more than capable as a defender. He came through the ranks at hometown club Bury before joining Dale, and it is no surprise that Championship side Leicester have nabbed him on a free transfer for next season.
CB. John Thompson (Notts County)
Whilst star names such as Kasper Schmeichel, Ben Davies and Lee Hughes took all the plaudits at County this season, John Thompson was quietly and effectively contributing to them being the meanest defence in the entire division. Very few defenders have dealt with the raw power of Josh Scott this season, but in both matches against ourselves, Thompson was calmness personified as they successfully shut us out. He has made well over 100 appearances for city rivals Nottingham Forest, and also has 3 full Republic of Ireland caps. Still only 28, don’t bet against him adding to those.
CB. Jason Pearce (Bournemouth)
The Cherries’ player of the season last time around was a steadying influence throughout the season with many assured performances at the back. Not the tallest but still only 22, he has now become Bournemouth’s captain. The Cherries only conceded a single goal to the Daggers this season, a Mark Arber penalty, and were otherwise largely subdued by the no-nonsense efforts of Pearce.
RM. Ben Davies (Notts County)
Another player we agree with the PFA about, and another from Notts County, Ben is probably the best player in the division that we have seen. The previous season he had impressed greatly for Shrewsbury, and showed no signs of letting up after his move to the Magpies. Capable of playing anywhere in midfield, he set up County’s first goal for Hughes in our 3-0 drubbing at Meadow Lane, and also scored the first goal in the return match with a superb curling effort from the edge of the box. He should also claim the 2nd goal, a deep free kick which seemed to evade everybody despite Hughes claiming a touch.
LM. Anthony Straker (Aldershot Town)
Straker was one of the biggest reasons behind the Shots claiming a 5-2 win at Victoria Road this season. Up against rookie right-back Nana Ofori-Twumasi, he tore the Chelsea loanee to shreds with raw pace and trickery. He provided the assist for fellow Barbadian Louis Soares to complete the scoring, and although he didn’t have any other direct impact on the result, his constant availability as an outlet provided attacking impetus throughout the match. He also played in the return match and looked impressive as the Shots built a 2-0 lead, only for the Daggers to come back and win 3-2.
CM. Gary Jones (Rochdale)
Rochdale’s record appearance holder only actually managed one outing against the Daggers this season, but his performance in this match along with other televised matches means he is a shoe-in for a central midfield berth. Cool, calm and collected, he rarely gives the ball away and matches that with a tremendous ability to get around the pitch. He scored what proved to be the winner at Spotland against us with a low drive into the bottom corner.
CM. Marvin Bartley (Bournemouth)
Aged just 23, Bartley actually played at centre back in the second game against Dagenham due to injury problems. He could do little about our penalty in a 1-0 win, but otherwise was resolute in denying further goalscoring opportunities typified by a goalline clearance from a Montgomery header. He also provided a tenacious midfield display at Dean Court in the first meeting between the sides, a 0-0 draw, and has quite rightly earned himself a new 2-year contract. He has played for the likes of Hayes and Hampton but the Cherries certainly spotted a gem when they picked him up.
ST. Marvin Morgan (Aldershot Town)
The towering Morgan hit 16 goals this season as Aldershot marched to the playoffs. Like Straker, he was a constant menace in the Shots’ victory at Victoria Road and capped his performance with a goal. He also set up a goal for Jackson and created numerous other chances for his side. He spent his early career in non-league but was recruited by the Shots upon their promotion to the Football League, and is certainly one of the toughest forwards we faced all season.
ST. Adam Le Fondre (Rotherham United)
Le Fondre is a typical goalscorer. He will do nothing for 89 minutes, but as soon as you drop your guard, he will score. The Millers scored 3 goals against us in the League this season, and the boy they call Alfie got them all. He scored a typical poacher’s goal before adding a carefully dispatched penalty in the match at the Don Valley, and then followed it up with the only goal at Victoria Road. Although largely subdued in the playoff final, he has scored 27 league goals and you simply can’t argue with that.
Subs:
Tom Heaton (Rochdale)
Although only playing once against us whilst on loan from Manchester United, Heaton almost single-handedly kept Dale in the match at Victoria Road before we ran out of steam and were beaten.
Lee Collins (Port Vale)
A key member of Vale’s miserly defence, Collins turned in a great performance at Victoria Road before unfortunately making a mistake which led to Scott’s equaliser. He created Haldane’s goal in the return game in another good performance.
Lee Hughes (Notts County)
As painful as it is to admit it, Hughes looked a quality player in both matches against the Daggers. He helped himself to two goals as well as playing the target-man role superbly.
Yannick Bolasie (Barnet)
Another who only played against us once, but Bolasie did more in that one match than most do in two. He ripped makeshift right-back Doe apart in the Bees’ 2-0 win against us at Underhell.
Michael Townsend (Cheltenham Town)
Probably a bit of a surprise selection given Cheltenham’s terrible defensive record this season, but the tall 24-year-old was the key man in a defence that only conceded once against the Daggers, and he made up for that by scoring a guided header at the other end.
Is there anybody you think I’ve missed? Feel free to comment below!
