JPT – Shrewsbury 5-0 Daggers

For the second successive season running, the Daggers had a heavy defeat inflicted upon them in the quarter finals of the JPT. The away side could have no complaint with the final score which did not flatter Shrewsbury in the slightest.

With the Fa Cup tie against Hereford on Saturday, John Still decided to rest Peter Gain, Mark Arber, Ben Strevens, Matt Ritchie and Danny Foster. The significance of that decision will be revealled through the result on Saturday. First impressions clearly show that the absence of these players left an understrength Daggers greatly exposed to a fluent and freescoring Shrewsbury Town.

The Daggers team was odd on the eye as Shane Huke deputised for Danny Foster, Richard Graham came in for Matt Ritchie and Paul Benson partnered Jon Nurse up front in what is one of the first times I can remember these two playing together.

In fact it was evident that Benson and Nurse were not a natural partnership. Many times they both ran to the same area getting in eachothers way. Whilst Nurse produced a lot of hard work, Benson seemed strangely subdued, hardly winning a header and not anticipating any balls or flick ons into him.

Elsewhere, Shake Huke had a torrid time at right back which seemed to unsettle a defence lacking the leadership of Mark Arber. Richard Graham worked hard but didn’t have that cutting edge a winger needs and never really got beyond his man down the left side. The midfield combination of Glen Southam and Solomon Taiwo looked to have promise going forward but lacked the stability of Peter Gain. Too many times the central duo were both caught on the wrong side of the ball leaving 3-4 Shrewsbury players running at a nervy and sometimes static defence. Nevertheless, it was Southam who looked the Daggers greatest threat in the first half producing 3-4 quality balls finding Richard Graham and Sam Saunders.

Overall, it is clear that the Daggers will give Shrewsbury a tougher examination in the league game in a few weeks. To get any joy in the reverse fixture the away side have got to eliminate the threat of the Shrewsbury wingers. Too many times the Daggers midfield allowed Scott Griffiths and the shaky Shane Huke to be confronted one on one with pacey wingers. In fact apart from Magnus’s mistake for the first goal, all the other goals came from Shrewsbury crosses (and poor defending in the middle).

Daggers Ratings

Roberts 5 – No chance with any of the goals. His kicking was ok and was right to let rip at his defenders.
Huke 3 – Not his fault but he clearly wasn’t ready to play right back against one of the divisions most free flowing teams. Horribly exposed and his positioning was very poor.
Magnus 4 – Awful mistake for the first goal. Looked shaky all night and for some reason doesn’t like to attack the ball when we have a corner despite being the biggest guy on the pitch.
Uddin 5 – Didn’t lead the defence like a captain should. Didn’t make any outstanding mistakes but never looked comfortable defending Shrewsbury crosses.
Griffiths 7 – Daggers player of the night. Dealt with his winger very well considering how quick and skilful he was. Made a few goal saving tackles but had no chance to get forward due to the Shrewsbury threat.
Saunders 4 – Poor night for the form man. Dived a couple of times, looked lightweight and didn’t get forward enough.
Southam 6 – One of the better performers. Looked good going forward but lacked the physical element needed in the midfield.
Taiwo 5 – Still doesn’t quite looked right for me. Not dominating like he was earlier on in the season. Wasn’t helped by a poor team performance in general.
Graham 5 – Tried hard but nothing really come off for him. Glad Saunders come off instead of him as he was the better player on the night.
Benson 4 – Very disappointing. Didn’t seem like he wanted to be there and didn’t read anything Nurse did. First time I think he has played with Nurse up front and I don’t think it will happen again.
Nurse 6 – Worked very hard and was unlucky to be taken off. Maybe would have had more luck up front with Strevens.

Subs

Nokkers 5 – Looked lively but didn’t have any chances.
Ritchie – Not enough time to influence proceedings.
Tejan-Sie – Not enough time to influence proceedings.