Although I think you regularly aim some pretty unreasonable criticism at Donaldson, I have to concede that Clayton has started the season particularly poorly. We have other options - unlike last year - so pairing Grigg with Farid should be a serious consideration at the moment IMO.
Yes i think you have a point though it is worth noting that whilst Clayton had an indifferent night (Especially in the second half) he still looked more dangerous than Grigg throughout. I really want to see the free scoring international player that Grigg is but I'm not seeing it at the moment the way Uwe's setting up the team. Grigg will win very little in the air and desperately needs a partner with a physical presence to play off. It sure as hell ain't going to happen in the 4-3-3 with Clayton miles away on the wing. Farid might not be the best thing since sliced bread but he scores goals, is committed to the cause, gives the crowd a lift and gives centre halves a real battle........he was needed tonight.
Logan had one of his real off days today and with Craig looking like a fish out of water on the left (Odd since he played most of his career in that position) our defence struggled especially with Harlee veering between calm assurance and glaring errors. Taylor was a rock, just not a very mobile one. Lee had no chance with the goals and otherwise a good tip over and a good take from a cross was the sum of his nights work. Good to see him back although his kicking hasn't improved!
McCormack battled well but faded somewhat and Dave ran in ever decreasing circles in the middle. Orient seemed to find it alarmingly easy to play in and around our penalty box as the defence and the midfield seemed to struggle to pick up the Orient attacking players.
Filo never really got going, asked to win a succesion of headers against a much bigger player. He looks as though he has the technical ability but didn't beat his man or get a telling cross in all night. As poor as Dallas's delivery was when he came on at least the lad got into wide positions in the first place.
The subs didn't work at all, boys asked to do men's jobs. Trotta lumbered around to little effect, young Tex tried to influence things but looked every inch the inexperienced youngster he is and Dallas let himself down with some poor delivery out wide. Why oh why Farid wasn't sent on only Uwe can answer.
Orient weren't world beaters but played with a physicality and tempo and purpose that we lacked. We look like a collection of musicians struggling to understand the way in which the Conducter wants us to play the tune.........the result is a right old noise. Uwe needs to find his best musicians and to get them playing together pretty soon.
I had such high hopes for tonight, I genuinely thought we would kick start our season today with a good performance to make the division take up and notice...........what we got was mediocrity and a really demoralising defeat.
What they had that we didn't was steel throughout the side. One of our major weaknesses IMO is that we're a little too nice and are susceptible to big strong teams. Orient were just that. Two big centre halves who bullied Grigg and Clayton all game and two experienced strikers in Mooney and Lisbie who put themselves about brilliantly IMO and gave our two centres halves a battle from the first to the last minute.
