Away Match Thread Leyton Orient v Oxford United · EFL Cup · Sat 8 Aug, 15:00

[Northstandboy]

Don't forget predictions now count towards the prediction league, more info here.

 

[derek]

A minnow team in your own county. No one in the city supports you. I work there. All the fans are from Bicester etc. Were Headington not non league until around 1960 & again in 2006 when Orienrt sent you down. You are hardly a big club

You work? Going on the nature of your posts I'd have put you at year 11 at best.

 

[Digby]

Okay, we have a limited number of key players within the squad which if some of these get injuries (short or long) or tiredness etc, that could have an impact on our overall season e.g. the likes of Brannagan, Brown, Long, Cumming, Currie etc, so playing additional cup games potentially increase those risks!

We have between 11-14 key players, so picking up unnecessary injuries/tiredness to these players would not be ideal, especially for a return of circa £50k if we reached the quarter finals etc!

If the squad had more depth/experience/quality etc, then by all means go for it, but I’m not so sure!

They are footballers at the beginning of the season , prep with training and friendlies of which we won all . Fatigue and tiredness is not an issue at such an early stage !
Maybe further down the line your concerns could become a problem however I take you back to last season and the tournament in Indonesia and the outcome!
I look forward to see how the results go in the forthcoming games as you and all supporters are , hopefully we can celebrate success together.

 

[Boris]

Okay, we have a limited number of key players within the squad which if some of these get injuries (short or long) or tiredness etc, that could have an impact on our overall season e.g. the likes of Brannagan, Brown, Long, Cumming, Currie etc, so playing additional cup games potentially increase those risks!

We have between 11-14 key players, so picking up unnecessary injuries/tiredness to these players would not be ideal, especially for a return of circa £50k if we reached the quarter finals etc!

If the squad had more depth/experience/quality etc, then by all means go for it, but I’m not so sure!

It's all moot now anyway, seeing as we got eliminated

 

[Digby]

It's all moot now anyway, seeing as we got eliminated

Agree !

 

[uptheus]

It's all moot now anyway, seeing as we got eliminated

Sure, had originally replied to the issue re; having to manage our squad differently in terms of the potential risk in the long term e.g. either giving us a chance to make the play offs, automatics or even worse, relegation!

 

[Boris]

It's worth pointing out (and I think George might have alluded to it on the Dub) that seasons' opening games often produce anomalous results for various reasons. So a defeat at Orient in the cup doesn't automatically mean that we're doomed to relegation, anymore than it means that the O's are any good. It always takes a few games for a season to settle into any rhythm and the league table doesn't really start to sort itself out until after around 10 or so games. I am reasonably confident that we can't take any meaningful messages about what the season has in store from the Orient game.

 

[werthersoriginal]

It's worth pointing out (and I think George might have alluded to it on the Dub) that seasons' opening games often produce anomalous results for various reasons. So a defeat at Orient in the cup doesn't automatically mean that we're doomed to relegation, anymore than it means that the O's are any good. It always takes a few games for a season to settle into any rhythm and the league table doesn't really start to sort itself out until after around 10 or so games. I am reasonably confident that we can't take any meaningful messages about what the season has in store from the Orient game.

Although last season's opener against Pompey set the tone for the season and sent a warning that was not heeded. I'm prepared to ignore Orient though as it wasn't an actual league game.

 

[Jster]

In our recent promotion season, we started with a 2-0 defeat at unfancied Cambridge, followed by a 5-1 cup defeat at Bristol city. We then went on a run that took us to the top of the table, iirc. So you never know...

 

[Bicester Yellow]

If we had won yesterday then would that mean we had no chance of losing next weekend?

It was 2 sloppy goals scored late on, other than that it was a pretty even game. Nothing right now says we will struggle this season or be fighting it out at the top.

I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of ‘sloppy goals’ like that this season if our squad depth remains as it is.

 

[Ewes]

I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of ‘sloppy goals’ like that this season if our depth remains as it is.

Too early in the season and AR’s tenure to blame the squad depth I feel.

It should be simple: select the XI most likely to cause the opposition problems and work on attacking and defensive strengths in training. After all, the team had a month to be ready for this match.

One injury, one returning player and one player possibly affected by transfer speculation. Other than that we had a squad of players who played at a higher level than Orient last season.

Moan about squad depth in November by all means but, as the club and HMS P1$$ the League crew have said, the squad is good enough to mount a serious challenge this season.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Too early in the season and AR’s tenure to blame the squad depth I feel.

It should be simple: select the XI most likely to cause the opposition problems and work on attacking and defensive strengths in training. After all, the team had a month to be ready for this match.

One injury, one returning player and one player possibly affected by transfer speculation. Other than that we had a squad of players who played at a higher level than Orient last season.

Moan about squad depth in November by all means but, as the club and HMS P1$$ the League crew have said, the squad is good enough to mount a serious challenge this season.

Squad depth isn't just about who can come in if we get an injury or suspension, it is also what threats you can bring on from the bench which can influence a game.

With all due respect, Snowden, Golding, Elliot-Wheeler and Bradney are all still young and very raw so you can't expect too much from them. You then have Kioso & Sibley who aren't exactly game changers.

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Too early in the season and AR’s tenure to blame the squad depth I feel.

It should be simple: select the XI most likely to cause the opposition problems and work on attacking and defensive strengths in training. After all, the team had a month to be ready for this match.

One injury, one returning player and one player possibly affected by transfer speculation. Other than that we had a squad of players who played at a higher level than Orient last season.

Moan about squad depth in November by all means but, as the club and HMS P1$$ the League crew have said, the squad is good enough to mount a serious challenge this season.

I dont think so, horrific depth at the top of the pitch and no goalscorer will count against us in my view.

Not saying our squad is the worst one in the league but think it’s overrated by a fair amount.

I think we will be somewhere around midtable & for me that constitutes a good season with everything going on but does mean our assets value probably depreciates 12 months on if we don’t go up.

Respect your view also so fair enough

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Squad depth isn't just about who can come in if we get an injury or suspension, it is also what threats you can bring on from the bench which can influence a game.

With all due respect, Snowden, Golding, Elliot-Wheeler and Bradney are all still young and very raw so you can't expect too much from them. You then have Kioso & Sibley who aren't exactly game changers.

Agreed, teams will know that our bench is weak & some sides will stay in games & count on a stronger squad to take control of games late on, just as Orient did.

 

[Ewes]

Agreed, teams will know that our bench is weak & some sides will stay in games & count on a stronger squad to take control of games late on, just as Orient did.

Fair points. And I accept our lack of depth up front. I’d personally rather Helik wore the number 9 shirt than Harris. Tyler can only get better I hope. Forget Mills & BdK, Tyler could be our most valuable asset.

But historically GO’D was one such player we’d introduce as a sub late on, to batter their tiring defences and retain the ball (often near the corner flag if we were winning). The other players Steve mentioned are all unknowns and young at that. Orient wouldn’t have had a clue about them if we’d used them.

Our squad is the same as last season’s - underperforming consistently but played a league higher, so there should be more invention, creation and effort all round from a team that has played together longer than any other club in the league has.

 

[Bicester Yellow]

Fair points. And I accept our lack of depth up front. I’d personally rather Helik wore the number 9 shirt than Harris. Tyler can only get better I hope. Forget Mills & BdK, Tyler could be our most valuable asset.

But historically GO’D was one such player we’d introduce as a sub late on, to batter their tiring defences and retain the ball (often near the corner flag if we were winning). The other players Steve mentioned are all unknowns and young at that. Orient wouldn’t have had a clue about them if we’d used them.

Our squad is the same as last season’s - underperforming consistently but played a league higher, so there should be more invention, creation and effort all round from a team that has played together longer than any other club in the league has.

Sadly our side lacked invention/creation last season and the season before.

I don’t think that will change even in league 1. Our squad bar a few players is league 1 level, I don’t think we will be ahead of the pack or much better than anyone else like some do.

League 1 is as tough as the championship in its own way & then you factor in games in the EFL trophy on top.

It’s going to be a long tough season.

 

[uptheus]

Although last season's opener against Pompey set the tone for the season and sent a warning that was not heeded. I'm prepared to ignore Orient though as it wasn't an actual league game.

What was concerning for me on Saturday, I was really disappointed with Tyler as he looked soo much better when I saw him against Ipswich, but he looked way off it in terms of physicality/overall ball possession etc. Harris was, well Harris of the last 2 seasons (just not a natural goal scorer), and this was against a poor Orient team in my eyes.

They also completely nullified us so easily with us not having a plan b. Brannagan was marked out of the game, again, easily, so wasn’t able to have an influence/impact on the game either.

Spencer was awful on the ball/offensively. He frustrates me because he has all the attributes, but doesn’t seem to have that proactiveness off the ball.

The only players to come out of that game with any credit was Currie (my MOTM) and Dembele to a certain extent, but again lacks in that final third.

So all in all, I was really disappointed with the senior players who didn’t show any leadership or know how on how to change the game on the pitch which was very familiar, hence my concern.

Saturday will be a great test, so let’s just see if last Saturday was just a one off or an indication of what’s to come. Fingers crossed it’s the former!!

 

[Keeper65]

Fair points. And I accept our lack of depth up front. I’d personally rather Helik wore the number 9 shirt than Harris. Tyler can only get better I hope. Forget Mills & BdK, Tyler could be our most valuable asset.

But historically GO’D was one such player we’d introduce as a sub late on, to batter their tiring defences and retain the ball (often near the corner flag if we were winning). The other players Steve mentioned are all unknowns and young at that. Orient wouldn’t have had a clue about them if we’d used them.

Our squad is the same as last season’s - underperforming consistently but played a league higher, so there should be more invention, creation and effort all round from a team that has played together longer than any other club in the league has.

Less the 19 players that are no longer with us, but get I get your point!

 

[Bicester Yellow]

What was concerning for me on Saturday, I was really disappointed with Tyler as he looked soo much better when I saw him against Ipswich, but he looked way off it in terms of physicality/overall ball possession etc. Harris was, well Harris of the last 2 seasons (just not a natural goal scorer), and this was against a poor Orient team in my eyes.

They also completely nullified us so easily with us not having a plan b. Brannagan was marked out of the game, again, easily, so wasn’t able to have an influence/impact on the game either.

Spencer was awful on the ball/offensively. He frustrates me because he has all the attributes, but doesn’t seem to have that proactiveness off the ball.

The only players to come out of that game with any credit was Currie (my MOTM) and Dembele to a certain extent, but again lacks in that final third.

So all in all, I was really disappointed with the senior players who didn’t show any leadership or know how on how to change the game on the pitch which was very familiar, hence my concern.

Saturday will be a great test, so let’s just see if last Saturday was just a one off or an indication of what’s to come. Fingers crossed it’s the former!!

Sadly Cam is a shadow of his former self, he doesn’t have that mobility to move and run with the ball like he used to, and isn’t able to cover the ground in there anymore. The bloke will always be a club legend but sadly think he’s coming towards the end of his time with us if he refuses to reduce his wage demands once his contract is up.

Spencer gets caught ball watching far too often at right back, against a decent winger he’s susceptible in behind, has pace to get himself out of it at times but generally his defensive concentration isn’t the best, also like you say going forward he never seems to have the natural ability to get forward.

Appreciate these opinions won’t be popular mind

 

[Toucan]

Although last season's opener against Pompey set the tone for the season and sent a warning that was not heeded. I'm prepared to ignore Orient though as it wasn't an actual league game.

But I am sure it was heeded by the management, it was just we were not good enough over the remaining games to avoid relegation.

 

[Digby]

What we really need is to come out of this embargo like yesterday . By not doing so Erik is making a rod for his own back and in turn not a nice situation for the supporters! Most teams have strengthened while we are dormant and you cannot rely on the youngsters .
We needed to strengthen in the forward formation without a doubt, how many on here were shouting for a striker that was our own and not on loan !

 

[Boris]

What we really need is to come out of this embargo like yesterday . By not doing so Erik is making a rod for his own back

One would assume that had he been able to take the club out of embargo yesterday he would have done so. The fact that we are still under embargo suggests that, for whatever reason, he has not been able to get it lifted

 

[Take me home]

Let's not beat about the bush here, it was a crap performance, what is with this new tactic of Cumming wandering about with the ball for as long as possible and then passing it to the opposition. I am not a fan of Harris but if no one puts the ball into attacking areas then even Kane wouldn't score, replacing him isn't easy as every club is looking for a goal poacher. Based on Saturday it's going to be a long season.

 

[Oxford84]

A minnow team in your own county. No one in the city supports you. I work there. All the fans are from Bicester etc. Were Headington not non league until around 1960 & again in 2006 when Orienrt sent you down. You are hardly a big club

I smell a scummer.

 

[Orkney Islands Yellow]