Daggers managing director Thompson confident of play-off chances

Steve Thompson (pictured) is on the hunt for a new manager

Dagenham and Redbridge’s managing director is confident the club can still achieve its goal of making the play-offs, as the search continues for a new manager.

Steve Thompson made the assertion despite the Daggers being just one place above the National League’s relegation zone.

Peter Taylor was sacked as manager on Sunday, 29 December following a run which saw Daggers win just two games in 19 matches in all competitions.

During that run, they fell from fifth in the National League to 20th.

Speaking to the Time 107.5 Sport Show on Thursday, Thompson said: “The results speak for themselves. It hasn’t been a great period and it gets to a stage where, reluctantly, a change had to be made. He (Peter Taylor) fully understood the situation. He was frustrated with the amount of injuries that we’ve had but I think everybody felt that we should be getting more out of the squad than we were.”

When asked how long it would take to make an appointment, Thompson said: “We are going to take our time, we are going to make certain we get the right person. We’re not looking to bring someone in until the end of the season and then start again. We’re looking to get the right person in now and we’d rather do that in a reasonable timeframe which still gives them time in the (January) transfer window.

“There’s still applications coming in. We are putting together … a shortlist … of the ones that looked to us to be the most appealing.”

At the start of the season, the club’s target was to at least make the play-offs.

Thompson said: “There’s still half a season to go. It’s not out of the question for us to make the playoffs and it definitely would still be a target.

“So much can change in this league over a short space of time. The last play-off place is seventh position. The target is still the play-offs.

“Obviously we don’t want to be relegated. Even without a change of manager … with the players that are due back from injury, I think we’re strong enough to finish mid-table. So, with the impetus of a new manager coming in and perhaps strengthening the side in one or two places either through loan signings or through permanent signings, there’s still no reason why we can’t make the play-offs and that’s what I would be aiming for.”

Listen to the full interview below.