Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still happy with progress of young squad after successive defeats

Christian Assombalonga of Dagenham & Redbridge runs through the tackles of Boreham Wood pair Conor Clifford and Mark Ricketts (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers boss remains confident club can achieve what he expects of them this season

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Fejiri Okenabirhie of Dagenham & Redbridge and Joe Devera of Boreham Wood (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Fejiri Okenabirhie of Dagenham & Redbridge and Joe Devera of Boreham Wood (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still says his side are heading in the right direction this season, despite two losses in five days.

Having been beaten 1-0 at Sutton United on Monday, Daggers hoped to bounce back at home to Boreham Wood at the weekend.

However, Wood found the net twice after the break through Morgan Ferrier and Kenny Davis to win 2-0.

It consigned Daggers to successive losses for the first time this term, but Still says he is not panicking just yet.

Corey Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge and Femi Ilesanmi of Boreham Wood (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Corey Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge and Femi Ilesanmi of Boreham Wood (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

And he is also asking for patience as he continues to learn what to expect from his young squad.

“It’s not something that drives me mad and in my own mind, I’d like to have got to 20 points after 10 games, which is still possible,” said the Daggers boss.

“I’m not going to criticise these players because they’re young, they need our help.

“Like Paul Benson’s first year, he scored one goal, like Craig Mackail-Smith when he joined, and Shane Blackett couldn’t even get in the team.

“I am pretty comfortable with how it is. We need to keep working, we do need the experienced ones to come back in.”

Indeed, Daggers could have done with the guile offered by Luke Guttridge, who is set for a spell on the sidelines having torn his hamstring away to Sutton.

Andre Boucaud was another who missed the loss at home to Wood, having helped Trinidad & Tobago reach the next stage of World Cup qualifying with a 2-2 draw at home to Guatemala on Friday and is due to face the USA tonight.

Without the pair, Daggers struggled to find a way through a resolute Wood defence, but Still says the lack of an attacking threat in the loss does not overly concern him.

“It isn’t something that surprises me. There are going to be highs and lows before they find that middle ground,” he added.

“It’s not something that really surprises me, it’s something that I maybe expect.”