STARLET JONES IS ONE TO WATCH
DAGENHAM & Redbridge defender Joe Widdowson has described Jodi Jones as “the best 17-year-old I have played with” – and tipped him for the top.
Seventeen scouts were at Victoria Road in midweek to see the Daggers lose 2-1 at home against Exeter – and you didn’t have to be a genius to work out who they were watching.
Striker Jones continually prodded and probed and eventually got his reward with a goal in the final knockings, using his ‘weaker’ right foot to curl home from the edge of the penalty area.
It was his second goal in just his fourth Football League start, and Dagenham are braced for bids to prise him away before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.
“Jodi is a great talent,” said Widdowson. “He has a lot of ability and is a threat whenever he gets on the ball, he can make things happen.
“He’s the best 17-year-old I have played with. He’s a big prospect, he needs to carry on playing as he has and I’m sure he will go a long way in football.”
Manager Wayne Burnett also knows he may only be able to call on Jones for a short time.
“I think his performances can only attract more and more clubs,” said Burnett.“He was our one bright spark against Exeter.
“I think he’s going to go. It’s not a matter of if he goes but when he goes, I believe. We don’t want to lose him but if an offer comes in then we are going to lose him.”
After losing their opening three League Two matches, the Daggers went into the weekend bottom of the table and Widdowson says they must improve.
“I’m not happy with the way I’m playing at the moment,” said Widdowson. “I’m a defender, I pride myself on keeping clean sheets.
“That’s my job and we’re not keeping clean sheets, we’re losing games so I need to look at myself.We all need to look at ourselves and see what we can improve on personally.”