Following their exit from the FA Cup, the O’s have gone two games in a row without scoring and have scored just two goals in their last four games.
Archant’s George Sessions noted on Twitter that there were calls from some sections of the Orient support for Macauley Bonne to be dropped.
Has Orient’s ten-goal hitman run out of steam? Should Macca be given a rest?
It would be fair to say, the O’s have played some tough opponents in their last few games. Teams have come to Brisbane Road and set themselves up to be hard to beat.
Hartlepool played particularly negatively, even after Orient were reduced to ten men they never looked like they wanted anything other than to keep a clean sheet and to head home with a point.
That made things more difficult for the O’s attack. Orient had fewer chances and the clear-cut ones they created were not taken - though it would be hard to fault Bonne in that game.
A lot of fans were rightly disappointed to see the O’s knocked out of the FA Cup by Maidstone on Saturday.
It is not just that Orient will not be in the hat for the professional rounds for the first time in over 100 years, we are also missing out on the chance to play some huge clubs at Brisbane Road.
I think a lot of fans expected Justin Edinburgh to experiment, but I am sure that it was not just me who was surprised to see a back three named in the starting line up at Maidstone.
I think it made sense to give Dan Happe a run out. I would rather have seen him play alongside the experience of Josh Coulson or in a partnership with Ekpiteta.
Changing a few players doesn’t necessarily disrupt a team, but switching to a back three at the same time undoubtedly made things more difficult.
Throw in a Maidstone team itching to get revenge on an O’s side that had beaten them three times on the trot and it is much less surprising that Orient did not progress.
I also was not sure about Matt Harrold starting, I think he is much more effective coming from the bench, forcing the opposition to adapt to his aerial threat after they have settled into a rhythm.
Orient have a real wealth of attacking options, with Bonne, Alabi and Koroma all looking threatening up front.
I would have liked to see Bonne or Alabi as a centre forward with a mix of Brophy, Dayton, Koroma and perhaps even Lumeka bombing down the wings, cutting in and providing some crosses.
The Maidstone game might have been a good moment to give Bonne a rest, but he is a hungry player who loves being on the pitch and scoring goals. I think next Saturday’s game against Havant will see him back amongst the goals and Orient back to winning ways.
As for the FA Cup, there’s one sure fire way to guarantee we’re in the First Round Proper next season. Get promoted back to the Football League!
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