Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Andre Boucaud is determined to do all he can to help the team return to the Football League.
The Trinidad & Tobago international is one of few surviving members left at Daggers who suffered the agony of relegation from League Two in 2016.
After missing out in the play-offs last year, the Essex club still harbour hopes of a top seven finish this term, but know they will likely have to win five of their last six games to get there.
Daggers’ continue their late push for the play-offs at home to Woking on Saturday, and Boucaud says he will give it his all for the Essex club in their efforts to record a top-seven finish.
“I believe the Football League is where the club deserve to be, but just because we deserve to be there doesn’t me we’re going to get there,” he said.
“You have to put in the hard work game-by-game, which we’ve been doing.
“With everything going on behind the scenes, it’s been difficult, but when you go on the pitch, you have to black everything out and give it your all.
“The fans have seen in the last few games that the lads are giving it their all.”
Against Maidstone United on Monday, Boucaud took the armband from Craig Robson in a 2-1 victory.
It was an unusual step from boss John Still, with Robson having been skipper following Scott Doe’s departure in February.
But Boucaud was happy to help in any way he could, especially as one of the more experienced heads on the pitch.
“I’m one of the older boys, so I’m going to try to help the younger lads, but that doesn’t mean to say they can’t help me as well because I don’t know it all,” he added.
“We’re all in this together and just trying to push in that right direction to get the three points.”
As one of the older players, the experience the likes of Boucaud and Mark Cousins have could be crucial at this stage of the campaign.
And the midfielder is happy to pass on any knowledge he can to his younger colleagues.
“We’ve been there a few more times than the younger players, but we have to help everyone around us for that main goal, to push on and try to make the play-offs,” he said.
Boucaud will hope Daggers can make that play-off dream a reality.
SOURCE: Barking and Dagenham Post