Strevens happy to silence his critics

11:42am Tuesday 6th May 2008

BEN Strevens says he has answered his critics who claimed he could not perform as a striker.

The talented front man hit his 20th goal of the season in Dagenham's 2-0 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday.

His form has been a big bonus to boss John Still, who has had to do without prolific marksman Paul Benson for two prolonged periods of the season.

Although Strevens has not always had it so easy - he was often asked to play as a winger and struggled for a starting spot at former club Barnet - the Edgware-born forward is delighted with his time at Dagenham.

He said: "This is the second time (boss) John Still has signed me so he sees something in me that he likes and certainly fills me with faith that I can do the job for him.

"Thankfully I've managed to repay him with goals this season.

"Coming to Dagenham is the best possible thing that could have happened to me. It's really kick started my career again really.

"It probably went a little bit stale at Barnet.

"I wasn't playing in the position I wanted to play in. I was playing right midfield and I didn't get on greatly with my past manager.

"I started off well but people started telling me I wasn't good enough to play up front.

"But now the gaffer (Still) has put a lot of faith in me and now I'm at Dagenham I enjoy my football."

However, the 27-year-old is aware that he can't rest on his laurels.

Dagenham only just managed to escape relegation in their first season in League Two and, like the team, Strevens knows that there is room for improvement.

"I've answered my critics but it is only one season," he admitted.

"I've got to do it again and again. That's my aim. Like the club I want to get better each year."

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