Dagenham (A) Predicted XI & Score

[Jonty]

A battling 2-2 with 148 Bluebirds.

[Bingo]

Win 3-0
135 away fans

[Fazered]

Dag 0-1 Barrow. 5-3-2 throttles the life out of them

[K_BFC]

I was referring to us losing half of last season's team...

Just reading through this thread for the first time, this line stood out. I see a pattern.

When Paul Cox took over from Darren Edmondson he rebuilt the side mid-season, players were dropped or left out after been given minimal pitch time to prove themselves over those brought in. He went on to give Barrow one of it's best non-league finishes. I think we broke or equaled our best ever points total at this level and we went all the way to the end of the season loosing only 4 league games. Then...

He parted company with a lot of those players and rebuilt the side again. It was a rebuilt side that went on to give the club it's highest ever non-league finish and broke previous seasons records. And now...

Although we have lost players we would liked to have kept, it seems to be his style and he has rebuilt again. He certainly doesn't hang on to players he doesn't see as doing the job next time out. I think Bennett going is probably the one Cox really didn't want to (or expect to) loose, especially after Anderson and Williams went to league teams as well. But the rebuild doesn't look much different than previous seasons.

Cox himself says that his teams have always started the season slow, last season was the other way around, it seemed to surprise him a bit. We simply ran out of steam with the lack of man power. I think the club will be looking to avoid that this season if we do as well again. At least we would hope so.

As for the first game, I think we'll do okay. Opening day games are not always the best gauge, probably be a draw at best as we find our feet.

[frankums]

1-1

[Esso Blue]

On my way to the game and to meet up with my fellow exiles for a beer or two beforehand. I'll post some updates on here. It's my first view of the new squad so I'm not sure I'll recognise many on the pitch. I still think Cox is a shrewd operator at this level.
1-1 for me

[ruins]

cracking bus down. Won the quiz. Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarow 3-0 harrison

[mikemarshhewasgood]

Good luck to Paul Cox and the team today .. looking forward to being there Tuesday night. Bluebirds 0-1 hopefully