There we have it! After a thorough process, the Daggers have got their man in Ben Strevens. The ex-Dagger earned great respect as a player - he’ll be hoping to keep supporters onside throughout his time in the dugout. 

The former Eastleigh manager guided the Spitfires to the play-offs a few seasons ago, so crucially, he’s done it before. Whether he can do it again at the place you could call his footballing home is the all-important question.

The timing of the announcement affords Strevens a chance to assess the squad over the coming weeks to see where he feels we need to strengthen. There are few better options to oversee the summer rebuild process than Strevens, praised for his vast knowledge of the league and the players.

That reads as if this season is a write-off, and I wouldn’t say it is, but there would need to be some honeymoon period to turn things around. That seven-point gap being closed relies on a near-perfect run in.

Looking beyond those few games and expecting the worst - narrowly missing out once more - Strevens inherits a squad which he himself claimed has ‘some really good footballers’.

However I’m sure he’ll be eager to bring in his own players and adapt the playing style, though not a huge departure from the Daryl McMahon era, certainly looking to put his own stamp on things.

The likes of Josh Hare have played under Strevens at Eastleigh, in a successful campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on the play-off final at Wembley in 2018/19. The top goal scorer that season and a situation to monitor is Paul McCallum’s contract expiry - loaned out to Chesterfield until the end of the season.

I maintain the view that it’s unlikely he will sign a contract extension, and indeed arrangements may already be in place, however this managerial change could alter things. Although Inih Effiong coming in as a replacement may put a stop to any potential return to the fold for McCallum.

I’m hoping for an era of renewed hope following a tenure riddled with false dawns under McMahon, undoubtedly progress, yet not progress enough. Strevens won’t change things overnight and is by no means a guaranteed success, but given time and resources I’m confident he can take us to that next level - breaking into the top seven.

There is a sense that Strevens is a continuity candidate in the relative inexperience and progressive football - bringing a naïvety and risk in some eyes. However, I think that slightly new approach could tip us over the edge into the play-offs and above that dotted line.

There is always a hope in supporting this club, and it is often false. But maybe, just maybe this time that hope can be fulfilled - Ben Strevens the key to that success.

We’ll know in time and there is a week of anticipation ahead before we get our first taste of Strevens-ball at Victoria Road.

Let the Strevens era commence!

Come On You Daggers!