Ex-Crawley Town forward full of praise for 19-year-old Dan Happe, who signed professional contract with O’s until summer of 2020 on Monday

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient winger Jobi McAnuff celebrates after scoring against AFC Fylde (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient winger Jobi McAnuff celebrates after scoring against AFC Fylde (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Matt Harrold praised the display of Leyton Orient youngster Dan Happe after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Fylde, but admitted they must turn around their fortunes in the National League quickly.

A brace from the Coasters Danny Rowe handed the O’s another loss despite Jobi McAnuff pulling a goal back in the 73rd minute.

The defeat was Orient’s fourth in September and they now start October with two tough trips up north to Tranmere Rovers tomorrow (Wednesday) and Barrow at the weekend.

“I’ve been impressed with Dan since I’ve been here and he shows a maturity which is beyond his years, so he’s a massive positive from Saturday,” said Harrold.

“There are of course positives to take from the Fylde game, but when you pick the paper up it shows a defeat, so that’s the ruthless business we are in.

“We need to make sure next time we play we get a win even if we haven’t dominated or play well because we just need to start picking up results.”

During a recent run where O’s have picked up one point out of a possible 15, they’ve produced some impressive football at times.

They were outstanding during the second half away to Aldershot Town (2-2) on September 23 after a terrible first 45.

It was a similar story against Hartlepool United (2-1 loss) where Steve Davis saw his side dominate during the first period, but struggle after the break.

Orient created several chances against Halifax Town (3-0 defeat) as well, but failed to take them and were punished, although they could have no complaints about the 2-0 reverse at Boreham Wood.

Last weekend was a familiar story with O’s producing some good football, fashioning a couple of excellent opportunities, but not taking them and being punished at the other end of the pitch.

Harrold added: “Some of the football we have played is great. I watched the Hartlepool game from the sidelines and we made them look really average at times, but we’ve conceded two goals from set-pieces. What can you do about that because we work on them during the week, so this is the ruthless nature of football.

“Everyone will go home and say the same thing again about how ‘we’ve played well, but lost’ and we can’t keep saying that.

“It is about winning – that’s what football is about – so there are no excuses we have got to do better now.”