Italian reflects on 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth and Liam Kelly’s injury at Brisbane Road

Alberto Cavasin conceded Leyton Orient have to sort out how they defend set pieces after today’s 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth.

Christian Burgess scored the only goal of the game in the 57th minute heading home Carl Baker’s cross.

It gave the visitors a deserved three points and O’s Italian boss a second loss since his appointment on Sunday night.

“Set pieces are something I didn’t get a chance to work on during my five days here so it is something we definitely have to get sorted out,” said Cavasin via a translator.

“There is sadness at having lost a good match in which we played well, but we have to recognise Portsmouth is a good team.”

Orient might have been awarded a penalty in the first half when Yvan Erichot appeared to be pulled to the ground.

Referee Christopher Sarginson failed to award a spot-kick and the east Londoners struggled to create chances throughout the encounter at Brisbane Road.

Cavasin added: “Referee decisions are something I have never commented on in my career. You get what you are given. I don’t want to talk about the penalty appeals.

“On these occasions it is a lot easier to see the things that don’t work properly so it is not easy.

“As a manager when you don’t have a midfielder with the characteristics I want, mostly the strikers are the ones that have to pay.”

Cavasin wasn’t helped by losing Liam Kelly after just five minutes to what seemed a hamstring problem.

The 60-year-old felt losing the O’s vice-skipper was a big blow and it forced his decision to bring on Alan Dunne for Paul McCallum at half time.

“Not having Kelly anymore we had to decide what we did in midfield, but not having that type of player with the same characteristics of Kelly,” said Cavasin.

“We had to make a change. In the last 20 minutes of the first half we were not as compact as we wanted to be. In this occasion Portsmouth had more chances at goal.

“We know it is a muscular type of problem for Kelly. We are still waiting for the exams and when we find out we will work out what we can do.”