Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor assesses ‘underachieving’ Dagenham & Redbridge ahead of National League clash

The Daggers have picked up 23 points from their opening 20 matches of the campaign so far and go into this weekend’s match at the Chigwell Construction Stadium (3pm kick-off) having won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Pools sit second in the table having won six of their last seven games ahead of their trip to East London.

But Challinor isn’t paying too much attention to the form guide as he’s well aware of the threat Dagenham could pose.

“Dagenham in my eyes are underachieving for the squad they’ve got,” said the Hartlepool boss.

“They’ve got a really strong squad and you can look at that through the substitutes and players who aren’t involved. Of their 24 man squad, probably 75-per-cent of that have been in play-off scenarios in this division within the last two years.”

Daryl McMahon’s side includes experienced National League goalscorer Paul McCallum, who has been involved in play-off campaigns at Barnet and Eastleigh over the past two seasons. Angelo Balanta played at Wembley for Boreham Wood and forward Scott Wilson won the National League with Macclesfield Town a few years ago to name a few.

“They’ve got quality in their ranks and in their squad but that is sometimes difficult to show itself on the pitch when you’re not playing and winning games,” Challinor added.

"I watched their game against Wrexham and they were 2-0 down but showed that they just kept going and got themselves a 2-2 out of it.

"To lose at Notts County isn’t the worst thing because they’re a good side but I suppose the circumstances of the defeat where they’ve played against 10-men for most of the game with an outfield player in goal and still lost quite comfortably, I haven’t watched the game but that will hurt them.

"We’ve got to be ruthless and professional and not give them a leg up or anything to hold on to.

"We’ll go there and be positive and confident in what we do and try and pick up another positive result. Playing at home or away doesn’t really impact the fact that we’ll be going there trying to win.”

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