Tea-total Griffiths eager to get Daggers train back on the rails

10:53am Tuesday 11th March 2008

SCOTT Griffiths is hoping Dagenham can go full steam ahead to maintain their place in League Two despite their derailment against Peterborough United.

Something had to give in the enticing encounter between the league's in-form sides on Saturday - Daggers were on the back of a five-game winning run, while the title-chasing east Anglians were on a six-game hot streak themselves.

Unfortunately for Daggers, it was Posh who extended their winning run to seven matches with a 3-2 victory.

However, defender Griffiths (pictured) said the team's confidence-boosting methods will help pick them up and go on another winning run.

"We have a metaphorical train and if we all push on and if we stay together then nothing can stop us," he said.

"Technically, if you try to get in the way of a speeding train you can't do it.

"You've got to push on and be that powerful all through the season and that's what keeps us going."

"Everybody in the team has their part to do - we've got the power, the pace, the determination - we've got such a great atmosphere around the ground."

The 23-year-old (pictured) revealed that boss John Still's hands-on approach during training sessions has also played a massive part in the club turning a corner.

"He likes to be involved in sessions and likes to make sure we know our jobs," said Griffiths.

"Organisation around the club - knowing your job - is one of the most important things to him I think."

The former Southend United youth player deservedly won the Daggers' man-of-the-match award for his barnstorming performance against Peterborough.

But he will not be indulging in a bottle of champagne - awarded to the best Dagenham player on the pitch - because he is tea-total.

He said: "I just play my game and I work hard every week. If I get it (the award) then I'm thrilled with it but I don't drink.

"I'll probably give to my brother whose 18th birthday is coming up and I'll save it for that.

"The boys like to have a little drink on the special nights out.

"Every now and then I get the odd go on Scotty have a drink' but they know I'm not into that stuff.

"I don't like it anything about it - the smell, the taste - it's no good for you."

And the defender, who has been with the east London club for four seasons, was slightly critical of the numerous top-flight stars who have been known to enjoy more than the odd bottle of beer after the game.

"People in the Premier League obviously want to go out and have a good time but sometimes they get carried away.

"At the end of the day you don't need to do that," he said.

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