It's a bit early be making predictions about season 2010-11, but Daggers boss John Still had no hesitation in naming Monday's opponents - Port Vale - as one of the sides that will make an impression next season!
Still, an old friend of Vale boss Micky Adams feels that the much travelled former boss of Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, Leicester and now Vale probably needed this season to sort matters out at Vale Park.
"I've known Micky a long time and he's a dedicated and determined manager. Although their side are aren't pressing for the play-offs at the moment, he will know what side he wants to challenge next season and he will have players playing for a contract, which makes them dangerous opponents on Monday," says the Daggers boss.
"I should think he might be a little disappointed not to be closer to the top this season, but they will be a team to watch next time, I'm sure."
Still also referred to the expectancy of a club like Vale, whose home ground holds nearly 25,000 and who have a large potential support, despite neighbours Stoke City establishing themselves as a Premier League club.
Among that support are celebrities such as pop star Robbie Williams, who has been known to invest in his home-town club and World darts champion Phil Taylor, a season-ticket holder and hospitality box owner at the club.
Last season Daggers went to Vale Park and captured a midweek 1-0 away victory, ironically secured by a goal from then on-loan Jamie Guy.
Dagenham boy Guy was with Vale at the start of this campaign, on loan from parent club Colchester, but has since left the Valiants.
Doug Loft, another player who enjoyed a loan spell with Daggers early last season, was one of new boss Adams' first captures when he accepted the manager's job at Vale Park, securing Loft's signature from one of Adams' old clubs Brighton.
The manager has since been back to the Seagulls to secure another midfielder in Tommy Fraser and more recently, striker Craig Davies.
Last season Vale finished a very disappointing 18th in Division 2 - one of the lowest finishes in the club's proud history. That effectively cost club stalwart Dean Glover his job as manager, having succeeded ex-Watford and Bradford defender Lee Sinnott, to whom he had been assistant.
Prior to the previous meeting this season, between the clubs at the end of October, which ended 1-1 at Victoria Road, Vale had been on an unbeaten run of six games and they went one another good run just over a month ago that propelled them to the edge of the play-off places.
But March was a mixed month for the Potteries side. Having begun it with the expected victory 3-1 at bottom club Darlington, they then lost at home to much improved Northampton by the same score. An impressive 2-1 home win over Bradford was followed by one of the results of the month - a 5-0 crushing of fellow challengers Chesterfield, away from home.
But after a draw at Cheltenham, Vale lost last weekend's derby with Crewe 1-0 at home, albeit to a highly disputed penalty that the match referee has since apologised over awarding.
Vale rely heavily on the goal input of former Blackburn striker Marc Richards who has netted 15 times from 32 games, while Lewis Haldane, whose move from Bristol Rovers was made permanent in the January transfer window and Craig Davies are expected to provide striking support.
Generally, manager Adams has been pleased with his side in recent games and is likely to stick close to the line-up that saw action against Crewe.
For Daggers, the Vale Park clash will be a last appearance in a Daggers shirt for on-loan Marlon Pack, before he returns to his parent club Portsmouth, following a three month loan.
John Still will asses the fitness of Mark Arber and Scott Doe before naming his side but with Anwar Uddin excelling on Saturday, central defence is a position the Daggers have enough cover for.
Likely teams: Port Vale: Martin; Owen, McCombe, Collins, Taylor (K), Griffith, Fraser, Taylor (R), Richards, Haldane, Davies.
Dagenham & R: Roberts; Ogogo, Uddin, Arber, McCrory; Green, Pack, Gain, Nurse; Benson, Scott.
Referee: Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire).
