Cheltenham Town swooped to sign Wes Thomas this week as the Daggers front man ended a two-year stay at the club.
His departure didn’t come as a huge surprise given his lack of first team opportunities in recent months led to him being placed on the transfer list after the play-off final.
Signed on a three-year deal from Fisher Athletic in September 2008, Wes had one year left to run on his contract. Restricted to only three starts last season, he became accustomed to bit-part roles as Benno and Josh formed an unbreakable partnership up front.
The arrival of Phil Walsh from Dorchester Town in January further restricted Thomas’ opportunities at Victoria Road. He was eventually moved out on loan to Rushden & Diamonds for the final few weeks of the 2009/10 season.
But the Daggers No. 16′s stop-start season was to hit the buffers again. An injury sustained on his arrival at Nene Park meant he was unable to aid the Diamonds’ Conference promotion push.
Thomas was re-enlisted to the Daggers ranks in the final stages of the season, appearing in the squad for the final regular season game at Darlington. In a game where the Daggers were two goals to the good, Thomas failed to make it on to the pitch that day.
In total, Wes scored three times for the Daggers in 30 appearances; his last goal a crucial one away to Macclesfield Town in October which helped the Daggers to a 2-2 draw.
Still only 23, Wes has a great future ahead of him but most would agree he needs regular football to fulfil his potential. His move to Cheltenham Town is probably right all round. With the ageing Hayles and Alsop released in the close season, Wes has a good shout of becoming a first-team regular at the Robins.
With Phil Walsh making a handful of cameo appearances in the closing months of the season, it seems likely he will be the ‘third’ striker behind Benno and Josh in the striking pecking order. Nursey had his most prolific season to date in a Daggers shirt with eight goals to his name and will undoubtedly be in the mix as a back-up striker too.
But with Wes’ departure and Nwokeji moving to AFC Wimbledon, the Daggers will need to strengthen in the striking department before the season begins on August 7. Murmurings of a possible return of Ben Strevens were quashed after the ex-Brentford man signed for Wycombe Wanderers recently. Alex Osborn penned a three-year deal with the Daggers in May, signing from Grays Athletic, but is surely one for the future and won’t be thrown into action any time soon.
That all means John has some rebuilding work to do in the next few weeks as the Daggers prepare for life in League 1. In what will undoubtedly be a big step up in class, we certainly need some more strength in depth with our strikers.
Finally, all the best to Wes at Cheltenham Town. Thanks for your hard work over the last two years and let’s hope you get a decent run in the team.
Full of potential but the few opportunities he got he seemed to try too hard which made him clumsy. Needs a good solid run at first team football and will then prove his worth , plenty of pace and ability and a knack of scoring goals. I’m sure he will have his time.
As for the Daggers – Phil Walsh is knocking on the door of the first team .