Today’s the day! Just over seven days into the job and Ben Strevens is set to take charge of his first game at Dagenham & Redbridge - with Oldham the opponents.

Despite there being ample time to prepare, the week hasn’t been without incident (when has it ever been?) as fan favourite Junior Morias departed for Notts County on Thursday.

It was sad to see him leave, but it seems to have been best for both parties as the 27-year-old turned down a new contract - seeing his future lie away from Victoria Road. 

The move completed the departure of the trio that started up front for the Daggers, Morias following Josh Walker and Paul McCallum whom have both departed within the last six weeks. 

So, it may look chaotic on the surface, but I feel every one of those outgoings has made logical sense, with the club in not too strong a position to stand in their way. Meanwhile, we’ve seen the arrival of one of the top scorers in the division - Inih Effiong - so it’s not all bad at Victoria Road.

Clearly with the current league standing there is still a lot of work to do and I think this season we’ll struggle to get over the line, but the preparation for next campaign starts today. There are several players now who will be looking to impress Strevens ahead of the summer rebuild - many out of contract in the months ahead. 

The work has already got underway as Strevens spoke of how he has begun to introduce his ideas, but that will inevitably take time for his playing style to be reflected on the pitch. Whether the majority of the current crop will be trusted with the execution of the plan, I guess we’ll discover in due course. 

There will be further changes in the dugout too, I’m sure, as the transition continues following the departure of assistant manager Steve Gritt yesterday - leaving Dave Jupp alongside Strevens.

They will be overseeing what I’m sure is to be a tough encounter with an Oldham side not going too badly in mid-table. The new Daggers boss was keen to reiterate that what he wants to see from his side is that Daggers spirit; a fight he knows the supporters appreciate.

He has certainly captured the mood during his first week in charge, but once the talking stops at 3pm today, we’ll see a first glimpse of whether he can turn things around. Also whether he can take the first step in convincing those who are sceptical at his appointment. 

There is a quiet optimism around the club that will only grow louder with positive results on the pitch, the winds of change in the air are refreshing - a new era ready to commence. 

Come On You Daggers!