Dagenham & Redbridge player ratings: John Still must take blame for FA Trophy exit

Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Ned Keating provides player ratings following the 2-1 FA Trophy loss at home to Worthing

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Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge and Kane Wills of Worthing (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge and Kane Wills of Worthing (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

It’s not often I’ve found fault with John Still during his third spell in charge of Dagenham & Redbridge, but he needs to accept his portion of the blame after Saturday’s shock loss to Worthing in the FA Trophy.

Yes, the players lacked intensity and a will to win – there is no denying that – but Still did not influence the game from the sidelines as much as he should have.

Though he scored in the first half, the Rebels appeared to be coping well with Paul Benson as a target man, so it was baffling to see Oliver Hawkins come on a half-time and play the same role alongside the 37-year-old.

Hawkins, too, was an interesting selection on Saturday in that if he was fit enough for 45 minutes from the bench, surely one of the National League’s best strikers was fit enough to start?

Paul Benson of Dagenham & Redbridge celebrates scoring the opening goal against Worthing (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Paul Benson of Dagenham & Redbridge celebrates scoring the opening goal against Worthing (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Then there is the lack of substitutions being made, with Still waiting until the 79th minute to make his next change, by which point Daggers were behind.

Why, too, Jordan Maguire-Drew, one of few who looked capable of doing something, was replaced in the closing minutes is beyond me.

As a manager, it is difficult to account for horrendous errors, such as the one which lead to Worthing’s second, but like his players, Still was another to struggle in the Trophy.

Mark Cousins (6) – By and large, the Worthing efforts were from distance and straight at him, making the saves routine, and there was little he could do about the Rebels’ second.

Josh Staunton (6) – Unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net for the Ryman Premier club’s equaliser, but always looked keen to instigate a quick break for Daggers.

Scott Doe (5) – Fortunate that Omar Bugiel did not find the net for Worthing in the first half after he easily turned the Daggers skipper.

Magnus Okuongahe (4) – Any good work in this match, or indeed previous weeks, was betrayed by an abysmal back pass that led to the Rebels’ winner.

Joe Widdowson (5) – Poor delivery for crosses in the first half prevented Daggers from making the most of the vast amount of possession they had.

Andre Boucaud (5) – Too slack in possession, gifting it to Worthing too often in the second half while attempting to look flashy.

Frankie Raymond (5) – Not sure what has gone wrong for the midfielder in recent weeks, has looked nowhere near the player he was for Still last season when he was full of heat and passion. Giving away needless, cheap fouls too.

Jordan Maguire-Drew (6) – Yes, he struggled to get his shots on target, but at least he was trying to fashion something from nothing.

Corey Whitely (5) – The latest player to look tired? Possibly, as he struggled to make an impact with his runs through the middle.

Chris Assombalonga (5) – Wasn’t good – to be fair, no one was – but I honestly hope he is not made a scapegoat by Still. Let’s lay the facts out here: he is a striker in his first season of professional football being marooned out on the wing. Whatever way you cut it, it is going to be a struggle at times. For me, Still needs to give him a fair crack of the whip through the middle, which he hasn’t. Then, and only then, can we fairly judge Assombalonga, but I worry he may be bombed out before that.

Paul Benson (6) – Goal aside, Worthing coped well with his threat in the first half and honestly can’t remember him getting a touch of the ball after the break.

Subs:

Oliver Hawkins for Assombalonga 46 (5) – Not helped by the way Daggers played in the second half and if he got a touch of the ball in the Worthing box, it would have been a minor miracle.

Joe White for Benson 79

Scott Heard for Jordan Maguire-Drew 88