Putting the ball in the net. The simple aim of the game of football, yet one that can prove so difficult. Seven games into the season, and it is something the Daggers have managed only 4 times.
Thankfully our defence has proved resolute, allowing us to take 3 wins and a draw from these opening matches. Whilst this is very welcome, it is not something you can rely on throughout a season. Eventually, such as on Saturday at Hereford, the opposition will find a way through. Sensing a lack of threat in their penalty area, they will have impetus in ours. Nerves can creep in once it dawns on our players that if they concede, they can’t win the game.
Before we get too dramatic, it is worth noting that the season is in its infancy. With several players out injured, there is plenty of time for the tide to turn. But will it?
Without wishing to sound too smug (OK, we love being smug really), the lack of a goals was a problem we highlighted in several of the preview pieces written for other sites. We weren’t a lone prophet either – this is an issue which has troubled many of our fans. Our downfall last season was our profligacy, and surely this is something we should be solving. It is worrying that we haven’t.
Of course we were hoping Josh Scott would return from injury in time for the season’s start. Whilst this would’ve been a massive plus, pinning the goalscoring hopes of the side on one player feels slightly dangerous. Especially when that player spent a few spells of his debut season out injured, and was always going to pick up niggles coming back from such a serious problem. His knee damage is hardly a niggle and we could hardly have foreseen this, but it is a reminder of the problems of relying on one man.
I think most fans would agree that the acquisitions of Jake Reed and Brian Woodall are a positive step. Both already have been given a taste of League football, and the manager has said how much they’ve surprised him. Woodall in particular has done very well with his aerial ability and hold-up play, whilst also finding himself in some good goalscoring positions. He hasn’t taken one of those chances yet, but it is harsh to criticise a player finding his feet. We should see either of these lads partaking at such an early stage as a bonus.
With other young forwards such as Rob Edmans (who was already injured when he signed), and Alex Osborn on the books, the real contenders for starting berths were always going to be Nurse, Tomlin and Williams. Let’s have a closer look at those three.
Jon Nurse we know all about – he came to us with a fairly average goalscoring record at Conference level and struggled to find his feet for some time. Last season was his best return in a Daggers shirt – 10 goals in 42 games. Time will tell us whether he can improve his ratio further or whether this was a peak.
Tomlin we also saw in a Daggers shirt last season, but 2 goals in 20 games saw him shipped out to Torquay on loan. It was a pretty disastrous start if we’re being honest – he was easily shrugged off by League One defenders and his pace cut little ice against the more intelligent players that division offered. He also failed in front of goal, which shouldn’t have been much surprise after 7 goals in 36 and 8 goals in 46 in the two previous seasons.
His reappearance this season has actually been an improvement, showing flashes of good skill and getting into decent positions. He done very well to win the penalty against Swindon, but the problem persists in front of goal. His shooting from range tends to be scuffed and when presented with good chances in the box, he tends to miss the target. This isn’t designed to be a criticism – we should’ve known about his pros and cons when he signed – but the weight of evidence does suggest that he won’t be troubling the top of the scoring charts.
Sam Williams is another guy who had limited success at Yeovil. Not a big fans favourite by all accounts, 6 goals in two seasons perhaps explains why. With Savage and Akinde not around this season, a target man was required and Sam seems to be more in this mould. He has also missed good chances this season but did manage to net a fine header against Torquay. His hold-up play has been decidedly average though, with performances at Macclesfield and Bradford probably not on his all-time greatest games list. The fact that Woodall looked more capable in this department might set some alarm bells ringing.
So, whilst there is potential for some players to emerge towards the end of the season, it doesn’t seem that the answer to our immediate goalscoring problems lies within the squad. There is, of course, the question of service but you have to say we’ve missed plenty of presentable opportunities already this season even without a hugely creative influence. The presence of Elito, Scannell, Lee and now Dominic Green should mean there is always some sort of supply line.
I understand the point John Still has made about not being able to buy ready-made players. I know we have to bring players through, and I know that goalscorers don’t come cheap. However, you can give yourself a fighting chance by having somebody with a goalscoring pedigree in the squad. In the past, players such as Josh, Kandol, Moore, Strevens were brought in from 1 or 2 levels down with a history of scoring goals, and quickly made an impact. We haven’t really found that player in the last couple of years.
A loan player could help us when the window re-opens next week. Or perhaps Jon Nurse fancies being the unlikely hero once again. Here’s hoping!
