Daggers boss ready to give youth a chance

3:56pm Thursday 14th August 2008

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YOUTH teams at top Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United are famous throughout the world but less is known about Daggers’ youth set up – but that could be about to change, writes Jonathan Moyes.

Dominic Green played a vital part in Dagenham’s destruction of Chester City when they won 6-0 on Saturday.

Daggers boss John Still said: “The young boys we used a little bit last year but we’ve pushed them on this year. I think they’ll have bigger tests than Chester City but having said that they’ve both contributed very well today.”

Still said Green is a versatile midfield who is best on the left-wing but can play on either flank and has excellent technique.

He added: “We have to keep working with him on the training ground. There’s no magic wand you have to work hard with the young boys and they have to keep improving.

“But at the moment we’re finding improvement in a few of them.”

The 19-year-old is a product of the West Ham local community involvement scheme and signed a contract before the 2006/07 season started.

He was loaned out to non-league Thurrock last February to give him regular first-team football to develop his skills.

Still tipped Tommy Tejan-Sie to be the next young Dagger to make his mark on the first team.

He has yet to make an appearance in the first team but the club say the 18-year-old defender has put in some outstanding performances for the reserve side.

“He’s got good ability. He can pass the ball. He’s got good movement and he’s getting stronger. He will certainly feature this year,” Still said.

He added Daggers will continue to give young players opportunities.

“It’s how we have to work. We’ve always worked with young players here and that’s the way we feel is right for us.

“At the moment we have to be nice and positive about our young players and give them the opportunity,” he said.