The Big Preview: Daggers vs Colchester United

The Daggers return home to Victoria Road on Tuesday night to contest the Essex derby against Colchester United, a win for us could see us out of the relegation zone, whilst if Colchester win it enhances their play off prospects.

As per usual we'll take a look at the most recent results of the two teams. Starting with Colchester who were beaten at home on Saturday against a strong Southampton side. With David Mooney getting sent off for the U's in the first half they never looked like getting a result. The sending off changed the game as you would expect, but they still put in a spirited performance. Last Tuesday night they were victorious against the Daggers last opponents, Bristol Rovers by one goal to nil, Kayode Odejayi with the goal following from a mistake by Rovers keeper Conrad Logan, a deserved 3 points at the Memorial Stadium. Moving onto the Daggers who achieved a great win against fellow relegation rivals Bristol Rovers on Saturday with goals coming courtesy of a superb Danny Green free kick and a Romain Vincelot header. Jerel Ifil was sent off for Rovers and Green scored from the resulting free kick for the first goal in a deserved win. The game previous to that was a 2-1 defeat at home in the 87th minute by promotion chasers Bournemouth, the goal scored by Danny Ings. A game that the Daggers deserved a point out of at least, but as I've said before we need to play the full 90 minutes.



Mooney Banned

 Next it's the form guide of both teams, which shows a slight contrast from where the teams are in the table. Colchester's form has been up and down of late with two wins, one draw and three defeats which is why they find themselves 16th in the form table although they do find themselves 8th in the league pushing for the play offs. Their away form is slightly below average with 18 points taken from 51 available, their home form really keeping them where they are. Their two most recent wins have come against teams that are fighting against relegation, Walsall & most recently Bristol Rovers, with their main goal threat being David Mooney who is banned for the game, although they can still rely on Andy Bond. The Daggers have as I mention on every preview been in good form recently being 11th in the League One form table. The 2-0 win on Saturday has been accompanied by a 2-1 win against Yeovil earlier in the month as well as two draws and two defeats, one of each at home and one of each away. The Daggers have also been scoring well recently with seven in six which isn't that bad a return for a team down the bottom with the defence being key especially Tony Roberts. The home form is also picking up now with only one defeat in the last four, Tuesday night games seem to favour us at home having picked up four points from six in the last month or so including a valuable draw against Huddersfield.



Ifil may play against his former club

 The Team News: Colchester United will be forced to make one change from the weekend defeat with hotshot striker David Mooney banned after being sent off in the first half of the 2-0 home reverse. Not that it probably matters to the team but striker Matthias Vilhjalmsson is unavailable as he's been recalled by parent club FH to start their pre season preparations. The Daggers have a few injury concerns, with Damien McCrory likely to be out for the game Femi should return to the left back position that he lost in recent weeks. Abu Ogogo is also a doubt for the game although he may come through, if not Phil Ifil will continue there and play against his former club. Damien Scannell is also rated about 50/50 so it depends on the day whether he is included. The usual injuries apply with Josh Scott who is out for the season and Will Antwi who is once again out. John Still may also opt to take out a midfielder in place of a striker and adopt the familiar 4-4-2 formation seen at home rather than the 4-5-1 used away.


Previous Meetings:-
Colchester United 2-2 Dagenham & Redbridge                  2010/2011
Colchester United 1-0 Redbridge Forest (predecessor)      1991/1992
Redbridge Forest (predecessor) 2-1 Colchester United      1991/1992
For the eagle eyed, I have missed out the Essex Senior Cup win for the Daggers this season.

The referee was due to be Andy D'Urso, but it was changed to Gavin Ward, the Daggers game's he's reffed are:-
Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge       2010/2011
Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Accrington Stanley          2009/2010
Aldershot Town 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge              2008/2009
Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Barnet                             2008/2009
Dagenham & Redbridge 6-2 Chester City                    2007/2008
Southend United 2-2 Dagenham & Redbridge              2007/2008
Weymouth 1-1 Dagenham & Redbridge                       2006/2007
Oxford United 2-2 Dagenham & Redbridge                  2006/2007
Dagenham & Redbridge 0-0 Grays Athletic                  2006/2007
The linesmen are C T Breakspear & J O'Brien
The fourth official is M J Foley.



The League One Table



My prediction is 1-1, a tight game with nothing given away by either team, I reckon that either team are capable of winning it, but I'm not sticking my neck out considering form and stats I can't predict it. The Daggers should start attack minded as we usually do at home, however Magnus Okuanghae is unable to play against his former club. Come On You Daggers, In John Still I Believe !!!