Swindon Town vs. Leyton Orient Official Matchday Thread

[glos_robin]

cuthbert seemed to spend too much time trying to organise and not enough on fulfilling his role. hopefully lucas' return will help

Hopefully Lucas' return will help there. I think sometimes we underestimate how important a player Lucas is to us and when he isn't there we do miss him. Whether it's fair on Smith or not the team never seems to be fully confident with Smith in goal whereas Lucas seems to command the respect of the whole team.
I'm not too worried yet I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that if Ferry and Douglas are paired together and Lucas returns things will start to pick up and the team will gel together.

[reeves4england]

I'm glad to see most have maintained some kind of perspective after that game. I was surprised the team got booed off. It was of course very frustrating to lose but there was no way Orient deserved to win the game.

LJF deserved his MOTM award, as he made some great tackles and even looked comfortable in possession. He played a great cross-field ball to JPM in the second half too. Caddis also looked good in the first half, with a good turn of pace and the ability to take on his man before getting the cross in. Unfortunately our link up play in general fell to pieces in the second half so he had less chance to do it. As for the midfield, Prutton had a much better game but really should have scored in the first half. Some began to moan at him for wasting chances but his "wastefulness" was largely the result of being given no options in the final third. JPM was decent and we look so much better when he's on the right wing combining with a full back. O'Brien took on his man a couple of times which was encouraging but needs to work on his distribution. Up front, I think Ball looked much better, and I think that criticisms of Charlie are harsh. He had very little service and did a good job of getting the ball down. He also had one great chance where he took the ball down from a cross and went past the defender all in one touch on his chest, before the keeper got lucky sticking his boot out to save it. Dossevi looked lively when he came on and has clearly got a good touch, but we weren;t very impressive in attack towards the end so he had little chance to impress.

Overall we really didn't deserve to lose. A couple of rash decisions and a free kick that was never a foul are what cost us tonight, against an Orient side who looked ok but nothing special. To improve, we need to work on our attacking play and wipe the mistakes out at the back. The defensive problem can be solved by Lucas returning, and by Wilson getting Rose to be more careful in coming out of the back line. The attacking problem is a bit more complex, but I think that getting the wingers out wide and playing quick passes to feet is the way to do it. It worked all last season and we showed we can do it in the first half tonight.

For Hartlepool I'd play Lucas if fit, keep the defence from tonight with Caddis at RB, bring Ferry in for Prutton, and play Dossevi up front. JPM needs to stick to the wing, our full backs need to bomb forward, and Douglas needs to cover them when they do. I still think we're good enough to do well this season if we get back to playing the right way.

[ibelieveinmrreeves]

I'm glad to see most have maintained some kind of perspective after that game. I was surprised the team got booed off. It was of course very frustrating to lose but there was no way Orient deserved to win the game.

LJF deserved his MOTM award, as he made some great tackles and even looked comfortable in possession. He played a great cross-field ball to JPM in the second half too. Caddis also looked good in the first half, with a good turn of pace and the ability to take on his man before getting the cross in. Unfortunately our link up play in general fell to pieces in the second half so he had less chance to do it. As for the midfield, Prutton had a much better game but really should have scored in the first half. Some began to moan at him for wasting chances but his "wastefulness" was largely the result of being given no options in the final third. JPM was decent and we look so much better when he's on the right wing combining with a full back. O'Brien took on his man a couple of times which was encouraging but needs to work on his distribution. Up front, I think Ball looked much better, and I think that criticisms of Charlie are harsh. He had very little service and did a good job of getting the ball down. He also had one great chance where he took the ball down from a cross and went past the defender all in one touch on his chest, before the keeper got lucky sticking his boot out to save it. Dossevi looked lively when he came on and has clearly got a good touch, but we weren;t very impressive in attack towards the end so he had little chance to impress.

Overall we really didn't deserve to lose. A couple of rash decisions and a free kick that was never a foul are what cost us tonight, against an Orient side who looked ok but nothing special. To improve, we need to work on our attacking play and wipe the mistakes out at the back. The defensive problem can be solved by Lucas returning, and by Wilson getting Rose to be more careful in coming out of the back line. The attacking problem is a bit more complex, but I think that getting the wingers out wide and playing quick passes to feet is the way to do it. It worked all last season and we showed we can do it in the first half tonight.

For Hartlepool I'd play Lucas if fit, keep the defence from tonight with Caddis at RB, bring Ferry in for Prutton, and play Dossevi up front. JPM needs to stick to the wing, our full backs need to bomb forward, and Douglas needs to cover them when they do. I still think we're good enough to do well this season if we get back to playing the right way.

I agree wholeheartedly - although I would contend that Orient were a dreadful side (all hoofing and lumping), which makes me feel even worse about the defeat. I thought Alan O'Brien had a cracking second half (I'm positive I saw a brown stain on the back of their right back's shorts) and Wilson made a mistake taking him off. But whatever, we all make mistakes.

And to the poster Libertine, or whatever your name is, I suggest you keep your fingers under wraps until you can type something more constructive than "we need new centrebacks" over and over.

[chalkies_shorts]

I thought Alan O'Brien had a cracking second half (I'm positive I saw a brown stain on the back of their right back's shorts) and Wilson made a mistake taking him off. But whatever, we all make mistakes.

O Brien did jack shit the first half. in the second he had one great run in the centre when he was fouledas he losing the ball. He got into 3 great positions and fucked up every one of the three crosses - all identically, low and to their defender.

[sonicyouth]

Just got back.

We were entirely in control for 60-65 minutes and the second goal was coming. After the subs, we lost our shape and width which meant we couldn't get back into the game at all.

It's difficult to judge players after tonight's performance as the two halves(ish) were so contrasting.

Smith made one good save. That's about it. The back four looked solid before the entire team turned into a bunch of headless chickens trying to chase a game with no shape, width or balance, Caddis is a better player than Amankwaah. I don't agree that Lecs and Cuthbert were at fault tonight and thought Lecs had another good game, given a bit more time at centre-back he'll improve further... Lucas' return will help the organisation at the back.

Douglas and Prutton don't seem to work together. Prutton is quite selfish and wastes as many passes as he completes. O'Brien sits far too deep and doesn't play to his strengths at all; too often he receives the ball on the touchline crowded by opposition players and can only play a simple lay-off to the full-back. In the second half he ran with the ball, ran at defenders and delivered some decent crosses. I don't think he's the answer and is far too frustrating to carry. Austin and Ball did all they could. I suppose you could criticise them for not burying one of the chances they each had, although it was a good save from Austin's late shot.

I'm not unduly concerned. We looked ten times better than Saturday but lacked a cutting edge again and we can't rely on Austin as our sole source of goals, Pericard and Dossevi don't strike me as prolific goalscorers - Dossevi will be a good player for us though - and I'm undecided about Ball, he played well but I don't feel confident about him... No logic behind that. As others have said, we miss Paynter, Ward and Greer. I believe that Lecs will make the position his own and Cuthbert will grow in confidence and become more of a leader at the back, so given time we won't miss Greer so much. It's difficult to see who in the side will replace Ward and with so much emphasis on the flanks in our build up play, I'm not sure that Ball or O'Brien will fit that role. Austin thrived last season playing off Paynter's strength and I think Dossevi will replace him. My main concern is central midfield, the game totally passed by Douglas and Prutton for large periods of the past two games. Once Orient scored they disappeared out of the game completely. Ferry in for Prutton please, it worked last season.

I'm not saying the defence isn't an issue as it clearly is - four goals conceded at home in two games is pretty damning evidence - but I think Lecs and Cuthbert need to be given a chance. Unless there's someone out there who is experienced, has leadership qualities and displays all the right attributes then I think chopping and changing the centre-back pairing will only upset things. Caddis and Rose will learn to play as part of the unit. Lucas will return and command the defence much better than Smith.

It'll come good. I'm not going to Carlisle so we might win.


edit: that sounded a lot more critical than intended. I think I'm just tired

[Don Rogers Shop]

Says it all doesn't it. That was probably o'briens best game for us and he was still pretty average.Our left hand side needs sorting asap as Rose has been partially at fault for 3 of the goals we have conceded already this season. I would go as far as saying he is possibly the worst defensive fullback i have seen in a long time.

People will disagree but i think Wilson will get a centre half and we will end up seeing JFL  at left back again.  

Baffling subs again i thought. Hope Prutton doesn't become one of those players that we have to change the way we play just to accomodate.

[Fred Elliot]

It'll come good. I'm not going to Carlisle so we might win.

Could you please not go to Hartlepool either


Many thanks


Love

Toni

[Panda Paws]

That was such a weird night. We were totally in control without looking impressive for an hour and then out of the blue two terrible goals conceded and we didn't react at all and bar Charlie's effort didn't really crank up the pressure.

Smith was shocking I think. Made one comfortable save, but his communication and decision making is shoddy and he has now been beaten at his near post 3 times in 2 games. The sooner Lucas is back the better.

Someone earlier in the thread made the point about Cuthbert not being as good as last season because he now has to worry about the whole back four, the line etc rather than just focus on his game and I agree but feel that with practice he'll be fine. I don't get the LJF love. He was average tonight, not bad but not outstanding neither. Played a couple of cracking balls, but gets carried away - ie the 60 yard diagonal with his wrong foot, and passes into feet towards the end that just weren't on. Defensively he looks impressive, but I'm concerned he looks impressive because he's recovering from poor positioning. We'll see.

Caddis looked immense first half, quieter after the break but done enough to keep his place. Rose really hasn't impressed me yet, going forward or defensively, so the jury's out.

In the middle, Dougie was standard but I'm not sure he's a captain. He's not the most vocal of lads, and it may be removing his focus from his own perfomance. Prutton was much better tonight but slows us down I think. We are at our best when we play quick football. If he continues to improve then fair enough, but Ferry will be chomping at the bit. JPM looked good again and AOB wasn't bad, made some superb runs and if Prutton could finish would have an assist to his name.

I think Charlie is getting some unfair criticism. His overall game has come on leaps and bounds since he first joined. Ball is not a winger, and done well up top but is a bit light-weight and I thought Dossevi was class again for his little cameo. Would persist with him and Charlie for sure.

Overall, it was dissapointing to lose but at times - for the first hour mostly - we were miles ahead of Orient. It was like playing someone from a division below. But silly errors, not taking chances and poor goalkeeping have cost us. Get Lucas back, get the back four gelling - which will happen naturally over time - make sure Ferry is pressuring Prutts to improve every game and feed AOBs confidence and we'll be challenging again, I've no doubt.

[sonicyouth]

Could you please not go to Hartlepool either


Many thanks


Love

Toni

oops. I meant Hartlepool.

I shall return for Brentford so fair warning, make other plans unless you want to see us lose

[Fred Elliot]

oops. I meant Hartlepool.

I shall return for Brentford so fair warning, make other plans unless you want to see us lose

choo choo with us ?

[DV]

Next person who see sonicyouth at football  kindly kill him. Its all his fault.

Also if anyone bumps into that Mex guy kick him in the balls and tell him he must start the match day threads.


Yours,

Unsuperstitious Dave

[Bodins left foot]

We should have won, and created enough decent chances to do so.

My main concern is about the quality of Rose, poor positioning, poor distribution, poor decision making and dithers on the ball.
O'Brien played ok, and got more confident second half but could have been better if Rose has brought him into the game more often.
Prutton played nearer what I hoped he would do for us and JFL showed some flashes of brilliance, stepping inside the the attacker to ping left to right passes to the JPM.

Overal DW needs to stick his foot up Roses arse and get him playing and get Lucas fit...! 

[Batch]

JFL  at left back again.  

Dear god no, LFJ is a disaster at left back.

[Mexicano Rojo]

i thought cutbert was awful last night, prutton was better and obrien showed that with game time and the crowd backing him could be lethal.

[Nemo]

Haven't really read the thread, but firstly, comeback Chalkie's Shorts, the people in your seats last night were incredibly annoying, had decided Prutton was shit and useless after about five minutes and proceeded to tell everyone that for the rest of the game. They weren't even old, which seems to be the main cause of moaning.

Last night just felt completely like a pre-season friendly- two stands, 20 away fans, we played nicely without any cutting edge and gave up when they scored. Rose looks terrified on the ball and just hesitates time and time again, Prutton seems to be playing further back and leaving Douglas to be the attacking midfielder, and Jonny seems to be trying killer balls all over the place which isn't his game. Early days, but Prutton and Douglas as a combo don't look like much so far.

LJF and especially Caddis were great though, until he moved onto the wing he was having a stormer.