Lincoln City have started the season with two very competent performances that haven't matched results at all. City performed heroically at Derby and only lost due to the brilliance of Nathan Ellington, and that came just a few days after the Imps had been by far the better side in the away game at Rotherham. Much like last season, performances aren't matching results and hopefully that can change against Dagenham and Redbridge.
It will be the first home game that Peter Jackson has taken charge of since March and it will almost certainly be a memorable home coming for the Yorkshireman. Peter invokes a level of confidence that is unparlelled in the recent past and this will be the first chance that City have to establish the fortress that Jacko is after.
Much like last season, City won their third game of the season after two disappointing results and that was against a team most fancied for the drop. Dagenham aren't very likely to be relegated this season due to the misfortunes of others and the general crapiness of Chester City. Could history be about to repeat itself against a team that many City fans have described as one of the worst teams to grace League Two in recent seasons.
Last season's two meetings were controlled by the Imps and yet someone Dagenham managed to take three points off of City. It was almost four points as Dagenham roughed up Alan Marriott by barging him into the net whilst holding the ball, then having the nerve to object to it.
Stefan Oakes has been rated as a slight doubt for the game but Peter Jackson has an overwise fully fit squad to choose from. That includes Frank Sinclair and the former Chelsea man could very well be in for his first start of the season, probably replacing the less than reliable Lee Beevers. Janos Kovacs, Aaron Brown and Paul Green will more than likely accompany Sinclair/Beevers.
With Oakes doubtful, Lee Frecklington could be set for his first start of the season and re-affirming his partnership with Scott Kerr in central midfield. Dany N'Guessan and LJL are the probably candidates to play on the wings with Kevin "The Machine" Gall and Ben Wright in the attack.
Dagenham's team has very few stand out players, infact only Ben Strevens and Peter Gain would easily be able to walk into most of the other sides in the division. The rest are distinctively average and don't let a 6-0 win on opening day fool you, especially considering they also put six past Chester last season.
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