Daggers are out for Stanley

BOSS John Still wants to show Accrington Stanley what the real Dagenham and Redbridge are like.

The Reds hammered five past Daggers in September as Still's side went on a run of five defeats.

But Dagenham have bounced back and are now on a revenge mission.

They dished out the first bit of that against Aldershot last week.

The Shots beat them 4-0 earlier in the season but last Saturday Dagenham put three past them.

Still said after the game: "Now Aldershot know what the real Dagenham are like."

And all the talk at Victoria Road is of them repeating the feat against Stanley especially as they have won three of their last four games.

But Coleman recognises that the Daggers will be out to get them - and will guard against it.

"Dagenham have had an upturn in fortunes since we beat them 5-0 so we know it is not going to be easy," said the Reds chief.

"They will feel like we did as we had something to prove at Leigh after they knocked us out of the FA Cup.

"It is going to be a difficult game and it is a really big game for the club. In the big picture, all games are now vital."

Ged Brannan scored a hat-trick against the Daggers and he is hoping to have shrugged off an Achilles injury which has plagued him recently.

"I won't forget the Dagenham game," said the midfielder. "Eric (Whalley) made sure I got the match ball and I have given it to my little boy.

"It was a good game against them. I remember there was nothing in it for 20 minutes and then it all changed.

"They will want revenge but I think it will be better for us if they try to come out and get at us.

"We tend to play better against those teams than the ones who sit back."

Brannan is battling to get back in the side after missing three games and Steve Jagielka and Andy Procter have been impressing in the centre of the park.

"That's the way it should be though," said the former Manchester City and Wigan midfielder. "Jaggers and Procky are doing well and I have just got to wait for my chance and try and take it.

"It has been an inconsistent season for a lot of the players. Me and Jaggers started off well and then we have dipped at different times. It's been up and down. It shouldn't be like that - we should be at one level all the time. Hopefully we can all put that behind us, give ourselves a fighting chance and make a run for the play-offs.

"We are still up there but think of where we could have been if we had been consistent.

"But the lads did well on Saturday and we are full of confidence and ready to push on."

The Reds currently occupy the final play-place and boss Coleman knows Christmas could be a critical period for his side.

"It is historically a tough period. Over Christmas we have got to pick up as many points as we can and give ourselves a big boost and hopefully go into the new year challenging.

"I do think we should have another 10 points on the board but there is no point feeling sorry for ourselves.

"We have got to make sure we now win as many games as possible."

Meanwhile, Polish striker Pawel Wozniak, who is on trial at Stanley, played a full game in the Reds 5-1 victory over Alsager in a rearranged friendly on Tuesday night.

"He did alright but it probably wasn't the best game to see him in. We will have another look at him," said the boss although the former Polish Under 21 player will not play any part on Saturday.

Lee McEvilly scored four goals with Steve Halford getting the other against the North West Counties side while Chris Butler took a knock but is expected to recover.

Coleman, meanwhile, is on the look out for another defender but does not expect to have signed him by on Saturday.

But he does feel like he has a new signing in winger Rory Prendergast who has scored three goals in the last two games since returning from a double hernia operation.

"Rory's return is a big bonus. He has come back physically stronger as has Andy Procter from his injury so that is credit to the physio's here."

Coleman promised he would look at where his side is at Christmas and admits the half-term report isn't as good as he would like. "Some of the games I have walked away scratching my head as to how we haven't won.

"We should have done better against Tamworth, Forest Green and Farnborough. The rot set in at Northwich when we were 3-1 up and coastng and then they came back.

"But I am really pleased with our performances over the last six weeks and we have got to keep it at that level and get some consistency.

"I didn't think there was a gulf in class between us and leaders Barnet but Barnet have maintained their consistency and that's why they are 10 points clear."

And four players have stood out for him so far this season.

"Ian Craney is a special talent while Ged Brannan started off well but his injury has hampered him. Steve Jagielka started off well then had a dip but has come back stronger than ever

"And Robbie Williams has the tools to be one of the best defenders in the Conference and he is getting stronger."