Independent Leyton Orient Forum

That was fun and nearly worth the £10 I shelled out. Similar game to the FG one with us being dominated in the first half (they had 70% of the possession. After the break we dominated and won a game we looked likely to throw away. Decent proof that we now have strength in depth.

Sargeant - 7 - can't be blamed for the goal and I only recall him making one save all night (I'm sure Tuffers will correct me)
Ogie - 6.5 - solid at the back and got forward more in the first half than Brophy did all game on Saturday. Partially to blame for the goal
Widdowson - 6- looked to be doing okay but got turned for their first and was partially to blame for the second.
Turley - 8 - solid as a rock at the back (there are a few Brighton knees who can testify to that) and won everything at the back post in their box
Thomas - 6 - looked composed but a few too many crosses came in from his side for my liking (does Ross ask all his RB's to tuck in)
Sotiriou - 5.5 - aside from a chance at the beginning of the first half seemed to run around a lot to not much effect
Ling - 7 - well taken goal and nearly scored a second. did a decent job as a harrying deep midfielder - and yes if it was anybody else I might have given an 8
Wright - 6 - totally anonymous in the first half and I noticed him a bit more in the second half
Dayton - 6 - harried their midfield but it's fair to say our central three were not the most sophisticated we've ever put out
JMD - 6.5 - a bit below his best with him always being harried by 2/3 of their players. Excellent delivery for our first
Johnson - 8 - looks like a natural goal scorer. nearly scored early on and chased all day. His second was top drawer

Clay - 6.5 - our shape was all over the place after the substitutions and he popped up everywhere but did a job
Wilkinson - 7 - some nice interplay down the right when he came on and an excellent shot into the ground for the winner
Angol - 5 - was going to give him a 5 even before he missed the penalty. As usual his decision making was crap.

Normally see things very similarly to you but not tonight!

Agreed on Turley, clear MOTM, but that’s about it

Agreed with all the ratings. A good summary IMHO.

Right, here goes.

Sarge - 6. Nowt to do really, but did it well enough. Looked confident.

Thomas - 6. Decent start. Really comfortable on the ball and always looking to pass it forward. Only problem was we didn’t see enough of that side of his game as they had all the ball, especially first half. Constantly failed to get to his man, handing him off to JMD but must have been under instructions to do so. Done enough to start on Saturday.

Turley - 8. Clear MOTM. Back to his best defensively. Unplayable from set pieces. HAS to start on Saturday.

Widdowson - 6. Comfortable enough, can play as CB no problem.

Brophy - 6. Very quiet, all the play came down the other flank.

Ling - unfair to mark him as playing out position and totally out of his depth at CM. On the plus side he popped up with a goal and done some long throws.

Wright - 5. Anonymous.

Dayton - 6. Busy enough, always involved.

Ruel - 6. Started on fire, properly up for it, then disappeared, then came back into it when pushed up top. Just good to get him playing 90 minutes again.

Johnson - 6. Chases around a lot, can’t fault his effort but he’s just not a lone target man. Looked like boys against men most of the night. But he has this ridiculous habit of scoring goals, so has to play for that reason alone.Formation needs to be changed to accommodate that, however.

JMD -6. Done the defensive work to the best of his abilities but not enough quality going forward.

Subs -

Clay - 6. Think he was supposed to be doing the holding role but he’s not cut out for that either.

Wilkinson - 6. Some lovely play going forward but we’re vulnerable defensively down his side. They blitzed us down that flank when he came on.

Angol - 5. Some great stuff but some really poor decision making as well. Summed up with the last minute, winning the pen the smashing it over the bar.