Orient - Thought like most teams down here they were poor and timewasted, fouled and spoiled from the off. They never attacked all game and were very defensive but coped comfortably for the first hour of the game. They scored a scruffy goal and this added to the time wasting and cynical play but we were not clever enough to get at them and only towards the end did they start to tire and were lucky not to concede time after time. The goal we scored could have been a foul but there were numerous other moments when they had let offs (pen appeals) and Clarke should have been sent off long before McAnuff went.
They actually were fortunate to end the game with 10 after consistently fouling all game and never really trying to play much football. You could see why they were near the bottom and have been struggling but were missing Lisbie, Cox and Mooney (maybe their 3 key players last season). Former Blades Lowry and Henderson were dirty and poor. The latter committed 12 fouls before being booked and was generally abysmal looking to get in a fight rather than actually go for the ball. As I have said Clarke was booked and then was involved in challenges that should have been two more clear yellows. How he stayed on is beyond me. McAnuff actually committed a lesser foul for his second booking but he went. The keeper was booked when he should have been cautioned long before.
It was a classic spoiling away performance but it looked enough for the unlikely win as they had so much good luck, threw bodies in the way and somehow survived until we got the two late goals (Ironically the McCarthy one could have been chalked off as I said) and then a good late header from McNulty seemed to have led to justice as long as it had took United to get through. They then had the late corners/free kicks as they attacked finally when they were behind and it was ironic and galling they scored in the 98th minute (7 minutes of stoppage time added on for their time wasting).
They still have enough experienced players and when they get some of the aforementioned back to move up the league and be at least mid way. Slade was treated very unfairly but expectation was driven up from last season (much like with us with Clough) and then when things did not start well owners react.
Howard 5/10- Got to say he had very little to do today but was poor on the few times he was tested. He took two crosses but his throw outs were poor and then he was badly at fault spilling a routine cross when he tried to take with palms facing upwards rather than just clasping the ball. I have to say I think on the equaliser that he maybe should have done better. The ball was headed in from on the edge of the 6 Yard box and he remained rooted to his line. I could be wrong and will wait till the replays before totally criticising.
McEveley 6/10 – Not tested too much from a defensive point of view but he was guilty of some indecision on the goal and was sloppy at times in
possession. Not helping that he is being moved about positionally so much.
Harris 6.5/10 - A player that kind of sums up how things have gone for United in recent times. He ended the season well with players of confidence around him and seemed set to be our regular left back for a while but began the season shakily, lost his place and has been in and out. Today he was at least got back to somewhere near standards of last season with some good tackles and forward runs. His final ball like McEveley was also not good enough though and too often his passes were behind players.
Alcock 7/10 – Maybe our best defender. He coped with most things well and attacked the ball better than the other. His touch and passing at least gave us some forward momentum and tried to carry the ball. Had a good header cleared off the line in the second half. One of the few Clough signings who has been decent for me.
McCarthy 5.5/10- I have to say I was not impressed for most of the game. His passing and touch was atrocious and for a player who has played much of his football up the leagues was either off the pace or someone who is over the hill (maybe a combination of both). He gave the ball away umpteen times in the first half and when he did try and move it forward it was long, aimless punts. He improved second half as we were more on the front foot and at least moved it on quicker and to our players to allow us to attack. Scored the late leveller with a good reaction in a scramble. Sadly he looked no better than Collins, McGahey and most of the rest of the porous defence we have seen this season.
Wallace 7/10 – I like him. Aside from the miss of the season which was woeful (how he missed is beyond me from a yard with the goal at his mercy) he was one of the few in the first half at least trying to get on the ball and make things happen. Not every came off but he at least does try and go forward. Second half again he was one of few getting beyond the striker/s (what strikers!) and getting in the box. A few times his final ball was lacking though and yet to really unlock a defence or score a goal. Seemed to get a knock (again – he seems unable to stay fit) and went off.
Doyle 6.5/10 – Steady game. Nothing spectacular but like many of the others guilty of going sideways and backwards too often really. He did his job of breaking up play and moving it on but often like many today we needed to get it wider and quicker with more tempo. The midfield had a lot of the ball but did little with it. On the goal he lost his man (look at the video/picture) and this was disappointing as any kind of contact on Vincelot and he probably does not score but had a free run and header.
Murphy 6/10 – Another so-so game in a so-so season sadly. Had numerous chances to run at a big lumbering full back in Cuthbert but too many times came inside or was unable to get beyond him. Switched from left to right and back again but he never really stretched the Orient defence. He had a couple of half chances but dithered. Needs to improve for me and start being more assertive in his play committing defenders.
Flynn 6/10 – As above really. First half he barely was involved and so often he came inside or got crowded out. He finally became more involved in the second half and was involved in some of our passages of play. Ended up moving between right, left and then central. He needs to be more consistent from the start too and not wait to get into games.
Scougall 4/10 – Really poor. I have heard he turned the game at Colchester but have to say what a poor season he has had in the games I have seen. Looks nothing like the player of last season. Totally anonymous most of the game. Rarely got on the ball, never caused the defence any problems and sadly seemed to hide much of the game. When the ball came to him his touch was poor. He was excellent last season when he came in but has to improve massively for me. No surprise he went off when he did. He could have come off a lot sooner.
Baxter 6/10 – He was our only real threat for the first half and at least got into some opportunities to shoot and had two decent efforts although both
comfortably saved. He tried to link with Wallace and Murphy and was probably our main threat (although we had little) in the first half but that is not saying much. At times his touch also was not the best but service was poor and often chasing high or long balls. Not his best day for you could say same for many of the forward players. Second half he started to tire and went off after having not played much recently. Like to see him playing up top with someone or at least just off them.
Subs-
McNulty – Made a real difference even just for being up there and a nuisance value but also looked a goal threat. We had an actual striker on the pitch! His touch and hold up was good and he had a few chances. Granted he has to do better with some (he has missed a lot of chances and many very scorable) but kept plugging away and scored a very good header. He then chased a few other balls down (sadly others did not) at the end. Worth a start (alongside someone) next game.
Campbell Ryce – Really impressive again when he came on and got at the full back ad delivered more crosses and chances than Murphy/Flynn did all game between them. Could have won a penalty and was involved in many of our late chances. Needs to start instead of either Murphy/Flynn (take your pick for me – both not doing it for 90 minutes).
Basham - Came on and won a few headers and looked quite busy. Headed one poor effort wide but then hit the bar with another.
Clough 4/10 – Not doing it for me in most aspects of the game. Our fitness and fighting spirit is pleasing but we need more than that. Every game the opposing manager seems to get their tactics right and we have to change formations/tactics/personnel. Why cannot we get it right at the start and why can’t we impose ourselves on the game from the start? Why are we waiting every game and so slow to try and have a go at teams. His tactics and selections are very negative (especially at home) and to say we played really well today is a stretch. We did well once again when behind and chasing games as we seem to do every week. We only seem to score in the dyeing embers of games when we are chasing and never seem to be able to control games like we did last season. He has to make some big improvements for me if we are too be anywhere near the top 6; that is from getting his team right (and sticking with it for a period) to the tactics and approach to games. At the moment we are a side that is playing in front of nearly 20,000 fans every week and are playing to scrape 1-0 wins and then if we do behind (most weeks) we are then relying on desperate comebacks most games. We have not had control of a game all season. That is sadly down to poor tactics as much as the personnel (of which Clough picks) having off games. For it to happen every week says he needs to change his approach.
Officials – Odd game for the officials. It was frenetic and action packed but did they affect the verdict much? Probably not I have to say. I felt we got quite a few 50/50’s go for us earlier on but then some went their way later on. Andy Haines tried to let things flow and often seemingly did not want to book anyone first half. He then had to as the crude challenges from Orient saw the bookings mount up. Clarke committed enough fouls to get send off twice over. McAnuff went and Henderson also committed numerous fouls as per usual. Alcock was rightly booked for us but they had 5 booked and it could have been more. The ref played 7 minutes stoppage time which in truth was right for their time wasting and it was just ironic when they did score. You could see him nearly blow before they got the free kick and then corner. It was our fault as we should have cleared and like the game v Gills other week I have no complaints when they scored ; even if it was a little galling they profited from their own time wasting. On the penalty when Campbell Ryce seemed to be felled I was not sure but to be fair to the ref; he looked at the linesman who was close and he did not move. It was just strange then they did not book him for diving if they felt it was not a penalty? I felt that whilst they were cynical and did time waste the ref kind of did what he could. Aside from that decision; I cannot remember too many clear decisions he got wrong (maybe when Flynn got goal side and was penalised strangely when it seemed he just outmuscled his man).
Crowd – Another excellent crowd. Over 19,000 inside the Lane and only maybe 300 from Orient. Crowd were frustrated first half but then came to life as we started to show some life. Annoying the team is starting so slowly and the crowd almost have to lift them. Noisy at the end as the goals went in both ends. If the team could get on a run and play consistently well at a tempo; the Lane would be a huge factor in our favour but the team and manager are not helping at the moment with sow, sluggish starts. The only other moment to mention was the pockets of chanting for Ched Evans. It began on the Kop and spread to H Block of the south Stand. I heard a few murmurs of boos but nothing that defiant to suggest that if he came back the reception from a lot of the Lane probably would be more positive. It is sad that a convicted rapist would be welcomed back probably quite loudly and positively but sadly says as much about the state of the current team as the morals of many fans.
