Post-Match Thread and Ratings Leyton Orient 1-2 Southend United

[Kenny]

Tilly got loads of stick on here for his team selection against Col U but he made a brave formation change yesterday and it paid off. Orient were total guff and were there for the taking, I lost count of the amount of throw ins we got in the final third where their full backs were putting it into touch unchallenged.

Thats not a formation I'd like to see at home but could be effective in trying to reverse our fortunes away from home.

I was also pleased that the fans got behind Joyce from the off ("USA! USA! USA!") to help his confidence, he made a good early stop and apart from a hairy drop here and a bad catch there I thought he did OK yesterday. Instead the boo boys seemed to have it in for Scannell instead who at times still looks like he hasn't got anywhere near pro-fitness levels

I haven't seen a game since Oldham back in Sept so the Xmas double header was the first times I've seen Morrison and I've been very impressed, he has the turning circle of a bus but apart from that he's looked immense on both occasions I've seen him.

OBL - did you leave Macca a load of mince pies under his tree, looked like he's eaten a good few of them!

 

[sadsy]

Totally agree. Anthony Grant is definitely one of our most talented players and has proved this season just how versatile he is.

He plays where he is asked and performs well wherever asked. As a holding midfielder he has proved to be the best we have and never shirks a challenge showing the same commitment in every game.

He's probably one of the only players we have who could command a fee and I can't believe anyone can't see his value to the team.

Like you I believe someone's dislike of a player is clouding their judgement on his ability.

Couldn't agree more. There's also no doubting Macca's commitment either , just think he's not been at his marauding best for a while now. Moussa also has the potential to be an asset.

Perhaps the new system with the security of Grant shoring up the midfield will allow Macca and Moussa more freedom to do what they do best.

 

[BrettieAngell]

I know footballers aren't known for their intelligence but I am sure they could work it out. TBH I was more shocked that Tilson opted to try something different - I seem to remember him trying it at Oxford(I think!) and it didn't go well.

IIRC we played a sort of 4-5-1 but we had no strikers so gower was upfront?

 

[shrimpfan]

With the lack of respect that some people on here show for our manager, nothing would surprise me.

Never been surprised, whole load of ex-managers on here.

 

[canveyshrimper]

Never been surprised, whole load of ex-managers on here.

Not so much ex managers more those whose extensive knowledge is gleaned from the latest computer game.

 

[shrimpfan]

Not so much ex managers more those whose extensive knowledge is gleaned from the latest computer game.

That be some childs football game ?

 

[OldBlueLady]

I was also pleased that the fans got behind Joyce from the off ("USA! USA! USA!") to help his confidence, he made a good early stop and apart from a hairy drop here and a bad catch there I thought he did OK yesterday. Instead the boo boys seemed to have it in for Scannell instead who at times still looks like he hasn't got anywhere near pro-fitness levels

OBL - did you leave Macca a load of mince pies under his tree, looked like he's eaten a good few of them!

Agree about Joycie, shouldn't we be using some of the old Roycie chants for him now?

Did he look a bit chunky? Can't say I noticed!

 

[ibwiajwa]

Great day out yesterday. Parking was easy and the TBV excelled themselves. Fantastic to get an away win too, particularly with Macca scoring. Orient were AWFUL.
I don't want to comment on all the players but I want to balance some of the opinions on here.

Malone - Sorry, I'm not as positive as most of you. He makes us play much more route one in a very negative fashion. The number of times that we had good possession in the middle of the park, the ball came to Malone and he hoofed it aimlessly up the park giving it back to the opposition.... His set pieces are poor - there is no whip on the ball and he frequently hits it too long. Francis is so much better and should take all of our set plays. Malone makes too many defensive mistakes as well, getting caught out of position. He has cleared the ball off the line for us and contributed some decent attacking moves which disguises the negative but I would have Herd back in a heartbeat. I do wonder if it's a condition of his loan that he plays in every game if he is fit.
Scannell - I am amazed at the negativity about him on this thread. OK, so the Orient were poor and he wouldn't be able to terrorise the full backs in quite the same way at better clubs. However, he wanted the ball and ran at defenders. Winning corners and throw-ins in good positions is an achievement in itself! He did tend to stop at the by-line to weigh up his options rather than whipping the ball in, but part of the reason for that was that our midfield were slow to get up the pitch and he didn't have many options. I thought he did enough to deserve a run in the side and certainly did a lot more than Laurent who didn't seem to want to know. Laurent's final ball was awful every time yesterday.
Morrison was terrific in defense although he needs to improve his distribution as he headed the ball out of play whether he was under pressure or not - I would like to see him convert defense into attack more consistently. However, he was a threat in the box.
Barnard - fantastic. Worked so hard.
Joyce - Much better but he still worries me. He is indecisive on long balls. I hope Mildy is back soon.
Grant - Their goal was preceded by two consecutive bad errors by him where he was far too nonchalant. Deservedly subbed.

It was a good win but I do fear for us still.

 

[chapperzUK]

Our reliance on Barnard is decreasing! This is the first time this season that we have won and Barnard hasn't scored.

 

[Uncle Leo]

I was also pleased that the fans got behind Joyce from the off ("USA! USA! USA!") to help his confidence, he made a good early stop and apart from a hairy drop here and a bad catch there I thought he did OK yesterday. Instead the boo boys seemed to have it in for Scannell instead who at times still looks like he hasn't got anywhere near pro-fitness levels

I think Joyce is lucky that he has such a good ready-made chant. If he was from Welywn Garden City or Prestatyn people would be on his back soon enough.

As for Scannell, it appears to be lack of both fitness and a footballing brain. It was good that he was out there on the wing helping to stretch the game, but a scarecrow would also have achieved that.

Still, a win's a win and I'm not going to complain too much. We don't much look like a top half side, but only another 23 points to go!

 

[ibwiajwa]

As for Scannell, it appears to be lack of both fitness and a footballing brain. It was good that he was out there on the wing helping to stretch the game, but a scarecrow would also have achieved that.

How? Please explain the thought process of YOUR footballing brain.

 

[Uncle Leo]

How? Please explain the though process of YOUR footballing brain.

Well my footballing brain (what there is of it) doesn't really matter as I'm not trying to carve out a career in the game but...

He rarely seems to be able to pick where the ball or indeed play is heading and often ends up in the middle of nowhere. And as for his fitness - or lack thereof - I think that was plain for us all to see.

I wish him well as he's got a decent bit of skill but he is an incredibly frustrating player to watch.

 

[David Essex]

personally i thought scannell played his heart out...he won more than lost...and chased everything....all in all a good performance given recent run of results...onwards and upwards... UTB

 

[Tommy2holes]

I wouldnt mind seeing the 4-5-1 employed at home at all.

I have said for ages that macca's runs ended since bailey left and that moussa's best place is in the centre. I have been waiting for both scannell and laurent out wide for an age.

That system encorporates all of the above. We have scored two away from home and neither came from barney and we looked much more solid than of late . Even Macca was surging forward.
It might not pretty but i would settle for ugly wins than pretty defeats any day. Col u are playing ugly wimbledon style football and are 3-4th.

If it works dont change it. Try it out at home tilly and see how we get on.

 

[Beefy]

Chelsea have used it at home for years. Man United used it at home last season. Properly-executed it's a very potent attacking formation. I just have my doubts as to whether players are capable of consistently making it work.

 

[jamesmut2000]

IIRC we played a sort of 4-5-1 but we had no strikers so gower was upfront?

Just looked it up on the SUFC database site. The line up was as follows:

1 Steve COLLIS
2 Adam BARRETT
3 Peter CLARKE
4 Simon FRANCIS
5 Stephen HAMMELL
6 Lewis HUNT
7 Nicky BAILEY
8 Mark GOWER
9 Kevin MAHER
10 Alan MCCORMACK
11 Dean MORGAN

the official match report claims we lined up in a 3-5-2 formation.linky

All I remember was that it was a bloody awful experience having to watch it!!!

 

[Tommy2holes]

Well beefy mate it cant be any less effective than the **** we have bn playing lately. I say give a go and tell macca to sit around the box waiting for the scraps to hammer home. That is ofcourse after he has been on the training pitch for 6 weeks learning to shoot accurately lol

 

[ibwiajwa]

As for Scannell, it appears to be lack of both fitness and a footballing brain. It was good that he was out there on the wing helping to stretch the game, but a scarecrow would also have achieved that.

Well my footballing brain (what there is of it) doesn't really matter as I'm not trying to carve out a career in the game but...

He rarely seems to be able to pick where the ball or indeed play is heading and often ends up in the middle of nowhere. And as for his fitness - or lack thereof - I think that was plain for us all to see.

I wish him well as he's got a decent bit of skill but he is an incredibly frustrating player to watch.

Comparing Scannell to a scarecrow is incredibly harsh. What position would the scarecrow play within the 433 451 formation? It would struggle for pace. And I presume that it would mark zonally as it might find man to man quite tricky.

 

[Beefy]

The Scarecrow just doesn't have the brain for this level of football.

 

[ibwiajwa]

Has anyone seen this? Class! What a great team Orient are (not).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcj2...6C9EDBBB&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17