Dagenham & Redbridge boss John Still backs new signing Corey Whitely to shine in National League

Corey Whitely of Dagenham & Redbridge and Joey Jones of Woking (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers manager has high hopes for ex-Enfield Town attacker

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After finally making his debut at Woking on Saturday, Dagenham & Redbridge new boy Corey Whitely appears to have boss John Still excited.

The 25-year-old came off the bench against the Cards in the 72nd minute, replacing Jordan Maguire-Drew.

By that point, the Essex club were 3-1 up after first-half goals from Craig Robson, Maguire-Drew and Fejiri Okenabirhie, before Anthony Edgar hit back for Woking.

Though only a brief cameo, the ex-Enfield Town attacker showed more than enough to impress the away fans.

Whitely’s first touch saw him deftly control a long clearance, before easily turning his marker, while he constantly put the Woking defence under pressure in possession.

And Still expects the recent addition to be a more regular feature in the coming weeks as the Daggers’ boss bids to use his squad as best he can.

“We’re not the biggest squad, so we’re having to use a lot of the same players,” said Still.

“There are not too many changes in our group and we’re trying to nurse people.

“Chris Assombalonga has come in for a couple and Jordan came in for a couple and we gave him a rest.

“I didn’t want to take Jordan off at Woking, but we needed to give ourselves a touch more pace.”

Despite the positives and the win, one man who did struggle at Kingfield Stadium was Curtley Williams.

The right-back took time to get going in the second half during a period of the game when Daggers were under pressure at the back.

And though Still said after the game he had spoken to the defender about his performance, he backed Williams to respond accordingly in the weeks to come.

“I had a word with Curtley, he’s had a great run and been terrific, but he’s still getting his proper fitness back,” said Still.

“He started the game too slowly in the second half. We had to defend, but he never defended like he can defend.

“We let Woking in and the game changed. We had to compete, battle and work, and we did that in the end.

“Any win away is a good win, we’ve had a great run of five games, but now we have a rest in midweek, which we need.”