Analysis of Orient equaliser

[Darren]

Having been too traumatised to look at it again until today, I think those who said the primary error was Simonsen's decision to come out at all are right.

After Collins loses the first header, the ball loops towards Maguire and an Orient player on the edge of the six yards box. The Orient player has his back to goal and Maguire is behind him. Crucially, Maguire looks the taller by about 6 inches! It looks a straightforward clearing header for Harry and even if the Orient player does get the ball, he only has two real options (a) a back header towards goal which would be likely to have little power and amount to a comfortable save; or (b) controlling the ball on his chest and shielding it, thus giving the defence plenty of time to pressure him.

Disastrously Simmo decided to come and punch and given that Maguire makes no attempt to head the ball, one can only assume Simmo gave him a shout.

Simmo should have stayed on his line and let Harry deal with it. If he was going to punch, it should have ended up in row F!

 

[S64 Blade]

I've seen the highlights too. Simmonsen practically came in and clattered Maguire, who looked like winning the ball to me.

 

[Ollessendro]

Shocking piece of goalkeeping. Cannot see how it could be blamed on anything else. Routine header for Maguire to deal with and if beaten to the ball, even Marco Van Basten could not have got it in from there with his noggin. No need to come and what an ill timed powder puff punch it was. Once again he costs us points with his lacklustre goalkeeping. He looks jittry and nervous in the air and his confidence is clearly effecting his judgement. Right decision to drop him last night (imo).