Leyton Orient player ratings: Midfield struggle to make impact

Published: 10:30 AM October 11, 2016 Updated: 8:44 AM October 14, 2020

Leyton Orient defender Alan Dunne wins the ball against Portsmouth captain Michael Doyle (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant

George Sessions provides player ratings following the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth at Brisbane Road on Saturday

Leyton Orient manager Alberto Cavasin urges his team on from the touchline (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant

Leyton Orient’s first match at Brisbane Road under new boss Alberto Cavasin ended with League Two rivals Portsmouth taking all three points.

Christian Burgess scored the only goal of the game in the 57th minute and it gave the visitors a deserved victory in east London.

The O’s struggled to create chances throughout with away custodian David Forde enjoying a relatively comfortable afternoon.

Alex Cisak (6) – Not his finest display with some nerves present after failing to claim a few early crosses and then tried to trick Pompey’s Conor Chaplin and it nearly back fired.

Leyton Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak gets down low to an effort with Portsmouth's Danny Rose ready to pounce (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant

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Nicky Hunt (6.5) – Right-back has been so consistent lately and wasn’t by any means poor on Saturday, just not at his usual impeccable best.

Yvan Erichot (5.5) – Poor defending by the Frenchmen from another set piece cost Orient. He was solid at times, although losing Burgess at a corner proved crucial.

Tom Parkes (5) – Extremely difficult match for ex-Bristol Rovers skipper after Portsmouth caught him in possession numerous times. Lucky O’s didn’t concede from one of his errors.

Callum Kennedy (7) – Solid once again and did try to make something happen late on from set pieces – one of few who had a good game.

Leyton Orient's Jens Janse knocks the ball forward past a Portsmouth opponent (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant

Gavin Massey (6) – Tough for the winger because he only played five minutes in his proper position. Couldn’t influence proceedings in midfield and when pushed forward, Orient couldn’t get him on ball.

Liam Kelly N/A – Captain for the day was forced off after just five minutes and it was a big blow for the team.

Jens Janse (5.5) – Slow and lethargic display. It was hard to work out what type of midfield role he was meant to be playing – didn’t influence game in an attacking sense.

Ulrich Nnomo (5) – After a bright five minutes, the winger decided to start trying to win cheap free kicks every time he was touched. It didn’t work and his quality on the ball wasn’t good enough.

Leyton Orient forward Paul McCallum tries his luck from range against Portsmouth (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant

Paul McCallum (5.5) – Not his best game for Orient but feel he is being made a scapegoat lately. He had one of O’s few chances of the game and tried to keep hold of the ball whenever it went in his direction – shouldn’t have been taken off.

Jay Simpson (6) – Given minimal service throughout, although when he did get on the ball he looked bright. Much better with somebody to play off.

Substitutes:

Sandro Semedo, for Kelly 9. (6) – Youngster looked bright at times and put in a dangerous ball towards end of the match and had one fierce effort blocked.

Alan Dunne, for McCallum 46. (6) – Ex-Millwall captain worked hard in midfield and had a decent chipped shot, but looked much better at right-back on Tuesday night.

Ollie Palmer, for Nnomo 82. N/A - Not enough time to give him a score but he should have been introduced much earlier.