The Big Preview: Daggers vs Huddersfield

The Daggers are back at Victoria Road on Tuesday night hoping for a win that can lift them ever closer to safety against a promotion chasing Terriers side.

First look is towards recent results, at the weekend Huddersfield played out a tight game at Dean Court against Bournemouth, in a game that ended 1-1, their scorer was Danny Cademarteri on 89 minutes, but after the game gaffer Lee Clark described it was "the worst performance of the year" by his men. They also had a very undisciplined game having 6 yellow cards given against them. They did create a lot of chances in the game, but failed to convert any into goals and only two were even on target. The Daggers then, we didn't play at the weekend due to Leyton Orient being in the FA Cup against Arsenal on Sunday, so for yet another weekend we got "time off." The last game was one of the worst performances of the season I'm told, a 1-0 defeat to the hands of relegation rivals Walsall at the Banks Stadium. I'm told the Daggers didn't really fashion many chances and only good defending prevented a heavier defeat. Thinks have looked up recently however and if we take our chances we can stay up.

Let's take a look at the form of the two sides. Huddersfield are on a very good run, unbeaten since the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup back in January. They haven't lost in the league since a 4-1 hammering at Southampton in the last game of 2010. The last away game was a 4-1 defeat of Exeter City, barring the 1-1 draw on Saturday, but they have drawn two on the bounce in the league with both performances below parr. In the form guide they are a very respectable 4th, having picked up 12 out of a possible 18 points in the last 6 games.  The Daggers are also on a decent run of form, 11th in the form table, which is fairly good considering we are bottom of the table. Having picked up 10 points from a possible 18, this game looks like it could go either way, but if it was on league positions, Huddersfield are clear favourites. The Daggers have picked up the home form of late, with two wins in their last two, if we're honest a undeserved 2-1 victory against Yeovil and a fantastic 4-1 victory against Brentford, which came on a Tuesday night.  Looking at scoring stats 3rd placed Huddersfield have netted 49 times, with 25 coming away from home, whilst the Daggers have scored 31 times in 28 games.

  



Jon Jo Bates In Action For Bedfont Town



Huddersfield Hitman Jordan Rhodes



Team News: The Daggers may once again stay unchanged from the defeat away at Walsall, with Peter Gain serving the last of his 3 game ban. Danny Green has come back into the side in place of Darren Currie, but John Still may change it and bring Currie back who has been on good form at Victoria Road recently when Green was serving his suspension. Damien Scannell has come back into the side and should once again start, unless Still feels he needs to make a change. Will Antwi is unlikely to be available once again as he's out with a recurrant groin injury, whilst Josh Scott is out for the season.  The only other concern for me is the form of left back Femi Ilesanmi. He has been quite dreadful of late and it wouldn't suprise me if former Plymouth man Damien McCrory made a return to the defence in his place. New signing Jon Jo Bates from Bedfont Town may get a place on the bench if Still feels he is ready, although the 18 year old is unlikely to be thrown in at the deep end this early on in his Dagenham & Redbridge career. Huddersfield may stay unchanged for the game at Viccy Road, but are sweating on left back Gary Naysmith who picked up a slight injury at the weekend and is on a race to be fit. Other than that they should be the same with keeper Alex Smithies and Tom Clarke & Damien Johnson all still injured and they won't be back. Their man to watch is Jordan Rhodes, the 16 goal hit man was on the bench at the weekend, but I'd be suprised if he doesn't make an appearance here.

Previous Meetings:

Huddersfield Town 6-1 Dagenham & Redbridge FA Cup Round 1     2009/2010

The referee for this one is Mr Graham Scott, the Daggers game's he's reffed are:-
Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Gillingham       2008/2009
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Port Vale        2008/2009
Kidderminster Harriers 1-4 Dagenham & Redbridge        2006/2007

The Linesmen are P A Kelly & A Slaughter
The fourth official is W G Norcott.

My Prediction, unfortunately I cannot see us getting a win here, but I'll be optimistic and go for a 1-1 draw, one team will score, the Daggers haven't had a 0-0 for around 45 games.

Come On The Daggers, In John Still I Believe !!!