The Imps go to joint top and free scoring Dagenham today with at least one returning hero set to start. Impdom prays that Oakes will hopefully shine like a beacon in a midfield bereft of creativity and leadership this afternoon. Let’s face it he needs to for everyone’s sakes. In reality that and tactical naivity are the only things holding the Imps back this season. The good news is that if we can create and stop them scoring, all within the capability of our team; we could nick this one as they do concede goals. Benson however has scored more on his own than the entire Imp squad. Also on the plus side the inspirational Solomon Taiwo has departed in a record breaking £250,000 deal to Cardiff this week.
Imps
The Imps will do well to keep a clean sheet against Daggers and can in fairness do so. Offensively Oakes is back but it is too early for a fully fit Kerr or Connor. Peter Jackson may gamble, but then again his luck is not exactly in, and both players have had just two training sessions. The key Darlo double header next week beginning with the Johnstone`s Paint Trophy clash at Darlington next Tuesday evening, is a more likely return date for both players. Given our injuries and available players a stab at 5-2-3 would be nice to see with Hone at the back and Brown and Hughton encouraged forward. That however is unlikely with 4-3-3 a possibility, though 4-4-2 the racing certainty. Butcher should make way after a lacklustre start with Hutchinson replacing LJL on the right. It will be intriguing to see sorcerers Oakes and Gain trade spells in the centre of midfield.
Imps 4-4-2 (dream formation 5-3-2 attacking)
Burch, Hughton, Kovacs, Swaibu, Brown, J Clarke, S Clarke, Oakes, Hutchinson, Fagan, Howe
Subs
Musslewhite, LCC, Hone, Butcher, Kerr, LJL, Adams
Dagenham & Redbridge
Manager John Still will replace Solomon Taiwo, who is brushing up on his Welsh in Cardiff, with Graeme Montgomery. Ex Imp Peter Gain will move from the left wing into the centre of midfield with 21-year-old Montgomery slotting into the wide role.Still has also been boosted by the return to fitness of striker Jon Nurse. Nurse suffered an ankle injury after scoring on the opening day of the season but returned as a substitute against Notts County last weekend but will again be on the bench.Forward Mark Nwokeji is not expected to return from his long-term cruciate knee injury until December.
Line Up 4-4-2
Roberts, Mark Arber, Will Antwi, Scott Griffiths, Danny Green, Joshua Scott, Peter Gain, Graeme Montgomery, Stuart Thurgood, Paul Benson, Scott Doe,
Subs
Chris Lewington, Wesley Thomas, Abu Agogo, Jon Nurse, Billy Bingham, Harley Dean, Alex Bentley
Home Record
Pos 1 P 2 W 2 D 0 L 0 F 10 A 3 GD 7 PTS 6
Away Record
Pos 4 P 2 W1 D 0 L 1 F 2 A 4 GD -2 PTS 3
Overall Record
Pos 2 P 4 W 3 D 0 L 1 F 12 A 7 GD 5 PTS 9
Highest Gate 1824 Torquay United
Lowest Gate 1683 Shrewsbury Town
Ave Att 1753
Total Att 3507
Biggest Home Win 5-0 Shrewsbury Town
Biggest Away Win Crewe Alexandra 1-2
Heaviest Home Defeat – N/A
Heaviest Away Defeat Notts County 3-0
Highest Score 5-3 Torquay United
Saints & Sinners
Goals Benson 5, Green 2, Gain 1, Griffiths 1, Scott 1, Nurse 1, Thomas 1.
Assists Gain 2, Green 2, Scott 2, Thurgood 1, Taiwu 1 (sold to Cardiff)
Yellows Scott 1, Doe 1, Aber 1, Gain 1
Head To Head (2007/08 – 2008/09)
This will be the fifth meeting with honours even at two apiece so far
Overall P 4 W 2 D 0 L 2 F 6 A 4
HOME P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 3 A 3
AWAY P 2 W 1 D0 L 1 F 3 A 1
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