Clohessy admits players must take responsibility

Full back reflects on Cambridge loss and how they need to get back to winning ugly again

After the excitement of two wins and the appointment of Kevin Nolan, it was back to reality for Leyton Orient supporters this week.

The same problem that has hurt them all season returned as poor defending contributed towards another defeat. Cambridge United were the team to benefit this time just as Exeter City had before.

Saturday’s display was almost identical to the one put in by Ian Hendon’s side on January 16 at Brisbane Road. After that loss to the Grecians, he was relieved of his duties and Nolan was made player-manager.

Suddenly Orient looked good defensively as they won and kept clean sheets against Wycombe Wanderers and Newport County, but last weekend showed their frailties.

Sean Clohessy was part of the back four that gifted the U’s all three goals on Saturday and faced the press afterwards.

Armand Gnanduillet got off the mark for the O’s, but Ben Williamson’s brace and another by Jimmy Spencer gave Cambridge the points.

“The gaffer obviously has his philosophy and it is hard to put his stamp on anything right now, but the things he has asked us to do in the last two games, before Cambridge, we have followed to a tee,” said vice-captain Clohessy.

“I wouldn’t say we have been as pleasing on the eye or as good in possession as before, but we got two results and that is the main thing.

“How many times have I spoke to the press and said ‘we have conceded a number of goals due to mistakes and lost the game?’ We need to win ugly and the gaffer has made the defence a lot stronger, but on Saturday we have made three mistakes and it has cost us.

“He has been working hard on making sure the back four is tight and we are not giving away chances. I think that has been demonstrated in our play, but against Cambridge the three mistakes have cost us.”

Orient are a point off the play-off places now following that loss at Brisbane Road.

If Nolan and his team have any chance of finishing in the top seven this year, they must stop giving away cheap goals.

They travel to Portsmouth this weekend and it seems likely Shaun Brisley will make his debut in place of Connor Essam, who played his part in two of the U’s goals on Saturday.

Nolan also has a full week on the training ground to work on things and prepare for the match at Fratton Park.

But Clohessy believes it is the responsibility of the players to cut out the sloppy mistakes and ensure Orient improve.

He added: “You can have a week on the training ground and work on things, but it doesn’t automatically mean you are going to improve on a Saturday afternoon.

“We didn’t have much time with the gaffer and we won two games. It is just how results go sometimes, but he will work us hard and he has brought his tempo into training. Hopefully we can take that into the Portsmouth match.”