Possibly the worst performance I’ve seen from Orient resulted in a home thrashing against a club that haven’t even been doing particularly well themselves in League One this season.
The situation obviously wasn’t helped by injury as there were no strikers on the bench and a fairly makeshift defence (with Thelwell at right back, and very uncomfortable with it).
Play was fairly balanced for the majority of the first half and although Brighton had the edge there was still everything to play for when we went into half time having only just conceded the first goal. Whatever Martin Ling said to the players, however, really didn’t work as from then on the goals looked to be coming thick and fast. At 3-0 down it was more a case of preventing a thrashing as bad as the 5-0 by Bournemouth the week before. It was only when a couple of the younger players were brought on that a bit of life was breathed into the squad with Demetriou and Barnard both playing to impress, and managing to do so.
But for most of the game Orient didn’t look like they were in the same league, let alone only 3 points behind. The highlight has to be when Alexander had to be taken off so centre back John Mackie was thrown up front.
A very poor performance all round.
Leyton Orient 1-4 Brighton on the BBC website
Ling upset as Orient beaten again