DAGENHAM & REBRIDGE boss John Still says he wants to “help” his struggling team by recruiting “experience and ability”.

The Daggers are rock bottom of League One after 13 games and three points adrift of safety.

Last Saturday they suffered a 3-2 defeat away to Rochdale and Still admitted he had been outfoxed tactically.

But while he is learning to deal with the tactical acumen of managers at this level, his young team are also coming to terms with the harsh reality of English football’s third rung.

To help guide his team out of the relegation whirlpool Still is looking to draft in troops with the required qualifications – nous and talent – to elevate the Victoria Road club.

“We’ve been here before when we first got promoted to League Two – it was tough,” said the former Barnet manager. “Everyone is aware of what a fantastic job these players have done for this football club – they’re legends – but maybe right now they need a bit of help.

“We’re going to try and give them a bit of help by bringing in one or two new faces with a little bit more experience and ability.”

As the Recorder went to press Still revealed he was on the verge of signing a new player on a season-long loan. “I’m 99 per cent sure it’s going to happen and we’re also in negotiations to possibly bring in a couple more players, but we’re just talking at the moment,” said the former Peterborough boss.

This weekend Dagenham & Redbridge host Hartlepool, who sit in 18th position – five points clear of Daggers. Caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth will be looking for this team to improve on their away record, which stands at eight points from a possible 18.

On paper the hosts’ record at Victoria Road is not much better – nine from 18 – but they have only suffered one defeat. With the team languishing at the foot of the table Still craves a result in front of the home fans more than performance.

“Results and performances don’t always go hand-in-hand and at this moment in time we need a result more,” said the Dagenham & Redbridge chief. “The support you get from your fans at home is very important.

“By and large our crowd is very, very good. Proper Dagenham supporters know where we have come from, what we are up against and what we face week-in-week-out. To them just playing this level is a dream come true and we’re going to do our best to continue this dream.”