Saturday’s goalscorer reflects on 1-1 draw with Yeovil, the ‘Hendon out’ chants and how senior players at Brisbane Road must step up

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's goalscorer Jobi McAnuff celebrates with team mate Lloyd James after his sensational strike against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient's goalscorer Jobi McAnuff celebrates with team mate Lloyd James after his sensational strike against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Leyton Orient midfielder Jobi McAnuff believes calls for head coach Ian Hendon to lose his job at the club are massively harsh.

The Jamaican international came off the bench during the 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town on Saturday and scored the equaliser with 16 minutes remaining.

It was a stunning goal from the 34-year-old and helped lift the mood inside Brisbane Road, which had been sour for much of the afternoon.

Home supporters booed the team off at the break as they trailed the Glovers by a goal to nil and were frequently chanting ‘Hendon out’ throughout.

Midway through the second period, O’s fans began to turn their phone lights on and sing ‘we’re f*cking bored, we’re f*cking bored’ as the seconds ticked away.

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's Jobi McAnuff looks to attack against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient's Jobi McAnuff looks to attack against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

But fortunately McAnuff smashed home to level from 30-yards-out and the goalscorer believes it is the players who should be getting criticised not Hendon.

He said: “I think the chants towards the gaffer are massively harsh. I am always disappointed when a manager gets stick because as a player I am responsible for what the fans are seeing out there.

“The gaffer works hard all week, same as ‘Hessy’ and all the other back room staff. At the end of the day when we go out there we have got to be big enough to take responsibility and take it on our shoulders.

“Having been involved last year it was a difficult season with lots of ups and downs and hopefully we can get a bit of stability and we need to do that ourselves on the pitch and the buck stops with us, that is my thoughts on it.

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient midfielder Bradley Pritchard clears the ball away against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient midfielder Bradley Pritchard clears the ball away against Yeovil Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

“It is unfortunate for the gaffer, but he is big enough and strong enough to deal with it like us players are and we just need to get through it.”

Although McAnuff didn’t start the game, he admitted the first half wasn’t great from Orient’s point of view.

Frazer Shaw, who has looked excellent in recent weeks, struggled and Scott Kashket couldn’t get on the ball enough.

The O’s goalscorer admitted afterwards the senior players realise they need to step up next time in that situation with a number of inexperienced youngsters involved.

McAnuff added: “We were a bit flat first half and a bit edgy, but we have had a chat about it and we need to step up - particularly the senior lads.

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient captain Mathieu Baudry can't keep the ball in play under pressure from Yeovil Town's Ryan Dickson (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient captain Mathieu Baudry can't keep the ball in play under pressure from Yeovil Town's Ryan Dickson (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

“We had a few young boys out there and it is not always easy for them, but we need to help them through that and firstly perform ourselves and secondly get them through those edgy little moments.

“If we want to get to where we want to get to then we need to deal with days like Saturday and the expectation is there to win the game.

“With all due respect to Yeovil, they are second bottom, and it is a game we need to win if we want to get promotion so we have to take that responsibility on and deal with it.”