That’s why you’re Going Down

Luton Town (0) 0 Leyton Orient (1) 1

Nelson; Purches (Capt), Oji, Saah, Palmer; Gray, P Terry, Chambers, Demetriou; Boyd (sub Thornton 80), Ibehre.

How many times, this season and last, have we pondered the thought “I wonder what Martin Ling will be saying in the Dressing Room at half-time to lift the troops after that display? And how often have we left the ground feeling that he must have said something right to have achieved a second half result? Well, certainly not last Tuesday!! So then, the after-thought. What can he possibly say to lift the squad by Saturday? Answer? “We need a 90-minute performance.” Brilliant, yes? Or “That was easy; I could have told them that myself.” So it is with football management. Art or Science? Or just a doddle? Why is it that an apparently brilliant manager (in the view of many) cannot reproduce the same form that effectively won the game at almost unbeaten Leeds when we play at home to the hapless Crewe Alexandra, whom we have already beaten at Gresty Road? Or is it nothing to do with management skills? Is it rather that, in this much more competitive division (more competitive and even even than the other English professional leagues) there is actually very little to choose between a play-off challenging side (who managed to lead the league for a couple of months or more) and an apparently relegation-doomed outfit. Except, perhaps, for the business of Administration (though even the added ten points would do no more than give them 19^th place in lieu of the aforesaid Crewe.)

Statistics can lie, but are interesting all the same. Our heroes have won thirteen games this season, nine of them by the odd goal. The Hatters have lost fifteen times, ten of which were by the odd goal. Is there really that much between the two outfits? Indeed, is there a knack to winning by the odd goal or indeed losing by the same slim margin? The ever-perceptive visiting crowd at Kenilworth Road on Saturday saw a troupe of clowns in the homesters’ front-line. Shot after shot was ballooned high over the bar. “That”, we sang, “is why you’re going down!” Martin Ling, in praising the back four after the game, thought Stuart Nelson had had nothing really to deal with. A thousand and more FantasticOs will surely disagree from their vantage point behind Stuart’s net in the second half. There were plenty of close range efforts and more from distance, some of which, as noted, went high, wide and handsome, others of which Stuart was called upon to hold, palm out, tip over and so on. The point is this. A neutral could well have seen little difference between our failure to register against Crewe on Tuesday and the Hatters’ failure to produce a white rabbit on Saturday. The difference is that we succeed in tilting the balance our way (by the odd goal) more often than not, while Luton don’t seem to have that knack. Management skills or mere force of habit? Let us ponder the question.

Meanwhile, the Cobra’s journey to Bedfordshire was not without coincidence. The last time (recently) the wordsmith put pen to paper, the mood was sparked by a chance encounter with Kevin Scully, one of Bethnal Green’s finest. Last Thursday saw the Annual Meeting of the Trustees of the “Greencoat and Other Bethnal Green Educational Charities”, a remarkable body of some half a dozen trustees, at least one-third of whom are Orient supporters, in the shape of the Cobra and the aforementioned Rev Kev. And, alighting at Luton on Saturday from the first-class compartment of the St Pancras to Nottingham express (it has to be said in the company of a multitude of other apparently up-market traveller Orienteers), the Cobra was instantly accosted by none other than the self-same cleric, splendidly attired in Orient red stovepipe balaclava. He would prove a reliable guide to the ground and, as ever, a useful sounding-board for views on the game. But the coincidence was too much to be passed by. The coincidence was significant. Demons would be laid today. Coincidences maintained. In fourteen league games at Kenilworth Road, Orient had mustered fourteen goals, exactly one a game and one a game was maintained on Saturday. It was forty-six years, 1962, in fact, since our lads last won at Kenilworth Road in the league and that bogie was laid on Saturday. We had gone eight away games without a win, our longest such dry run of the season and that, too, is now behind us. Finally, it was 23 games since we last suffered back-to-back defeats, not a record we would want to give up lightly. Mercifully, that is now twenty-four.

The team that started was basically that which finished the game against Crewe, Tammy and Andy Barcham still injured, but Aiden Palmer replaced Charlie Daniels at left-back. Nobody told the Cobra whether Charlie was injured or whether this was merely a case of Buggins’s turn. One hopes the former, since Charlie, contrary to the view of some, offers attacking options which others don’t (remember Matt Lockwood?) and Aiden, though much improved this season, is still prone to be regarded by oppositions as a weak spot. Indeed, Luton would soon be directing most of their attacks down the right flank in an effort to expose that supposed weakness. Given the recent injuries, it was hugely heartening to see Sean Thornton and Alton Thelwell warming up with the squad beforehand even if, as transpired, the manager was not minded to bring either straight back into his line-up. Room would be made for Sean before the final whistle though, sadly, it would not prove a game in which one could disturb the defence to give Alton a run. And the football? To prove a point, the early exchanges were very definitely Luton’s, despite all protestations for an early, quick, forceful start. Clearly their motivation was greater than ours, spurred, too, by an early rendition of “Down with the Bournemouth, you’re going down with the Bournemouth.” No time to ponder that unique and stereotypical use of the definite article nor indeed, Luton’s somewhat scary use of Orff’s Carmina Burana to welcome the gladiators into the arena.

We chose to kick into the FO’s end of the ground which, while not entirely welcome, at least gave the wags a chance to remind Dean Brill of his less-than-fully confident performance at Brisbane Road a few weeks back. An early foray sees Terry find Demetriou, he on to Boyd and to Gray wide for a cross which is cleared. Calvin Andrew breaks down the left and crosses; we win a goal-kick, an early token of the Hatters’ ineffectiveness upfront. More Luton pressure before a free-kick gives us a breather. Terry takes quickly. The ball finds Boyd, to Chambers who crosses. Boyd again exchanges with Jason. Adam beats one and gives wide to Wayne Gray for a cross. Jabo in with a header which passes for a goal-kick. First real chance. To the other end where Palmer puts out for a throw from which Luton fashion a chance but the shot is high, wide and handsome. Throw Orient by the flag. Luton regain, Demetriou dispossesses. Terry to Jabo to Purches who breaks down the right and fires a low shot which whistles narrowly past the near post. Orient build again and win a corner on the left which Terry and Demetriou take short, passing back to Palmer for a rasping shot from twenty yards, but again wide. Now Orient down the right and Gray wins a throw by the flag. The ball drops nicely for Boyd who shoots. Shot blocked for a corner on the right. Jason takes. Much pushing around the edge of the box. Jabo shoots. Blocked again. Brill holds and Luton recover. They break down the right. Bell with a high cross which Nelson holds. Orient again but repelled and a free-kick conceded on the halfway line. Sol Davis takes. Demetriou clears. Luton again. Crossfield to the right flank again. Emanuel to Spring to Bell who is tackled by the ubiquitous Demetriou for a throw to Hatters some eight yards from the flag. The ball is crossed. Amazingly a free shot is allowed with only Nelson left in the breach. As amazing, the shot is ballooned high into the air for Stuart to rise and hold. Sighs of relief and first strains of “That is why you’re going down.” Nelson welts long. The ball off for a throw on the left, mid-half. Demetriou is embroiled with the diminutive Lewis Emanuel who appears to punch or butt our Jason, perhaps, it has to be said, in retaliation for something. Jason is seen to hold his face or nose. Emanuel will shortly change shirts and wear a numberless effort for the rest of the half, a move usually allowed only if there is blood on the original shirt. The decision seems clear-cut. A yellow card, perhaps for Jason. Red, for sure, for the hot-blooded Emanuel. Gasps of amazement when referee Joslin hands Jason the yellow card but restricts Emanuel’s penalty to the traditional “severe talking-to”. A clear cop-out from an official with whom we have had problems in the not-too-distant past.

Five minutes of end-to-end play with Luton attacking mainly down the right and tending to predominate. Jabo is penalised for an exceptionally high foot-up in the tackle and concedes another free-kick a few minutes later which results in a “stern talking-to”. Fifteen minutes in. The free-kick is on the right and Nelson rises well to hold. Orient resurge and Gray wins a throw a few yards from the corner flag. Purches crosses and Jabo flicks goalwards but Brill holds. Now Hatters cross from the right again. Nelson up but drops the ball under pressure, probably fouled. The ball is ballooned over the bar yet again. Stuart appears injured and requires treatment. We have the kick, be it goal- or free-. Orient win a free-kick five yards short of the centre circle for a foul on Jason D. Nelson to Gray to Terry and forward but cleared. Hatters again with a cross which Palmer clears. Luton again. Demetriou out to Boyd who is tackled somewhat fiercely by a former team-mate. Orient throw on the left, eight yards up from the flag. A patient build. Palmer, Terry, Boyd, Chambers, Palme, Terry, Palmer, Demetriou and a glorious backheel to Terry which catches the defence completely on the wrong foot. Paul’s cross is perfect and, as Davis fouls-up his clearance, Jabo Ibehre fires into the roof of the net via the underside of the crossbar. 1 – 0 Orient. Twenty-five minutes. Early by our standards. But very welcome. It will prove the match-winner and we will reflect that the scorer is very much the man in form. Indeed, perhaps the significant difference between these two apparently very disparate sides.

End-to-end play for a while with Hatters having more than their fair share of the action. Palmer gives away a tame corner which is cleared at the near post. Luton come again and switch the ball crossfield to the right flank for a high cross which Nelson holds well. Boyd to Gray on the half-hour and a fine cross which almost dips in at the far post but passes for a goal-kick. Now Boyd wins a corner on the left. Brill is up to punch clear but only to Paul Terry whose powder-puff return (a miscue surely) is cleared. Orient again but Jabo concedes a free-kick in mid-half on the right which Brill takes. Another infringement then gives Luton a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box in the right channel. Once more, it is ballooned high over the bar and once again the massed choirs sing “That is why you’re going down.” Ten minutes left. Orient break. Boyd penalised for handball. Oji clears long and Brill comes out of his box, only just managing to win the ball. Luton attack down the right again. Nelson out to clear. Boyd is fouled but advantage is played. Chambers is floored and there is no redress. We are apoplectic. Luton return down the right yet again. A big cross. Stuart goes up, is fouled again, drops the ball but wins the free-kick and Referee Joslin now gives the stern talk to the experienced but aberrant Sam Parkin. From the kick, Purches to Gray who wins a throw just ten yards from the flag. Purches to Terry and back to Purches for the cross which Jabo nods on. The ball is cleared for a throw. Gray wins another throw just a yard from the flag. Cleared. Nelson to Chambers to Palmer to Jabo. Keith Keane in to hoof into the stand. From the throw, a Demetriou cross. Gray up but cleared. Chambers recovers and through to Gray but he is offside. Orient repel the kick. Through to Jabo who lays back for Purches to cross. It is cleared. Terry regains and on to Boyd who turns quickly and shoots, volleying on the turn, Brill just managing to hold. He gives long and Purches does well under pressure to clear to Gray. Luton come again, are repelled again. Palmer with a throw on the left. To Jabo and on to Boyd who is fouled. Free-kick on the left about three yards outside the box. Demetriou with the kick which is cleared. Adam Chambers tees up for one of his trademark shots when Paul Terry nips in and takes the ball from his toe!! Hatters clear and have time for one more huge cross, Nelson again holding safely, before half-time is called. We feel comfortable, if cold, and await the second, setting goal.

Orient kick-off, Nelson now with his back to the FantasticOs and the lively Demetriou soon wins a free-kick which he himself takes, Brill holding. Hatters clear and Palmer puts off for a throw five yards from the flag. A cross which Saah kicks high for a corner on the left which Morgan takes. Chambers with a great header to clear. The return cross passes for a goal-kick at the far post. Luton again and Nelson out to fire the ball onto the roof of the stand. Wasting time already??! Luton win a free-kick. Saah clears down the left. Jabo interchanges with Jason who fires a curling shot goalwards which Brill only just manages to hold. A brief period of Orient pressure ends with Jabo injured in the box, leaving time for the crowd to reprise “Where’s your money gone?” With a whole side of the ground devoted to “prawn sandwich” corporate entertainment boxes, it has to be said that this song seemed not a little incongruous. However, their problem remains. Luton throw in mid-half. A cross and Spring shoots high over the bar. Now a corner to Orient on the right. Demetriou takes and Jabo’s header is cleared off the line at the far post by Davis for a corner on the left. Jason again. Cleared at the far post again for a throw to the O’s. Luton now with the ball on the right. A cross which Purches clears. Morgan shoots. Again, high, wide and…. Nelson’s goal-kick is poor and Hatters return instantly with a good chance but a great tackle by Brian Saah, scurrying back, rescues the situation. Now Paul Terry’s cross sees Adam Boyd go down in the box. Joslin is unmoved and nothing is given. Kevin will assure the Cobra afterwards that it was a penalty! From the clearance, Calvin Andrew has a free shot from twenty yards which Stuart Nelson does well to hold.

Midway through the half and manager Harford begins to ring the changes introducing Paul Furlong for David Bell. Now Adam Chambers is fouled, as the tempo rises, and Sam Parkin is given the Yellow card. Luton again and a weak and woolly shot from Parkin brings a further round of “That’s why you’re going down!” Free-kick Orient just outside the box. Nelson takes. Gray up, Chambers in and concedes a free-kick. Luton shoot but it is wide, again. Twenty minutes left. Less even. Free-kick Hatters. A yellow card for Wayne Gray. Another free-kick. Sam Oji clears desperately. Hatters again. A cross and Paul Terry puts out for a throw. O’s clear and now Wayne Gray is fouled five yards outside the box, Demetriou again curling the kick which is cleared at the far post. Luton come again. A cross and a shot and Purches in with a great tackle to deprive Parkin and clear to Jabo. Hatters again and another cross which finds Paul Furlong with a diving header. Nelson bobbles the ball but holds at the second attempt. Twelve minutes left. Free-kick Orient for handball. Nelson takes. Jabo in and on to Boyd. Ball cleared. A series of throws to Orient. Sean Thornton is seen ready to come on and duly does so, replacing Adam Boyd, with Wayne Gray moving inside, Sean taking his customary but unwelcome wide-right role. A slightly strange substitution; an indication, perhaps, to Adam Boyd, that we cannot wait forever for his match-saving late goals, the more so with Jabo Ibehre in poaching form. The real motive, however, was surely to provide, without upsetting the industrious Gray, a fresh and more defensive wide midfielder for the game’s last ten minutes, a ploy which would evidently prove successful. A long throw from Palmer finds Gray whose through ball to Jabo is converted into a shot which passes only just wide.

Hatters are dominant for the next five minutes but come no closer than another high cross which goes well over the bar. More of the same! Throw Luton in mid-half. Oji clears. Luton again with a cross. Saah clears. Jason D is floored (again?) by the objectionable Emanuel who duly receives his thoroughly-deserved yellow card and another stern talking-to. Nelson with the free-kick. Wayne Gray up and on to Terry and to Jabo who is fouled. The ball is cleared. Palmer returns. Wayne Gray is downed but without redress. The ball is cleared. Jason D in with a tackle and he is floored. In seconds, a riot ensues with a huge melee of players, the young and explosive Jason clearly having been targetted for provocation throughout, ever since that first-half incident for which he was probably primarily responsible. One thing was clear. Referee Joslin lost control, the plot and seemed also to lose sight of the incident. For after a long-drawn out attempt to bring the handbags under control, yellow cards are awarded to Sam Oji and Steve Robinson who may or not have had anything to do with the fracas. A seemingly random judgment. It took more than three minutes to deal with this incident, so it was no surprise when the fourth official declared five minutes of added time, a welcome bonus for the Hatters but a mixed blessing, presumably, for the officials. As for the Orient, they didn’t look too fazed at the prospect of extra time. At the risk of offering hostages to fortune, the team seem to cope well with such situations these days. Possession football but sensibly so. Today, at least, there were none of the erstwhile antics at the corner flag which we have seen so often at Brisbane Road. Nonetheless, one little cameo from the experienced Sean Thornton is worth recounting. Collecting a Chambers clearance and heading off down the middle, Sean became aware that that passage was blocked. Turning through ninety degrees he took the ball in leisurely fashion out towards the left-hand touchline, a most bizarre turn of events in the ordinary way, but, in the circumstances a wonderful way to spend the last few minutes. Time still for one last big cross from the Hatters, which Oji clears. Then a final cross from the left and a Paul Furlong header which Nelson capably holds.

A comfortable win on balance, albeit by only one goal. A vast gulf between the two sides? Or just that one goal. Either view could be maintained. Stating the obvious, it is another example of the fact that sides with successful striking strikers tend to win. That said, we never felt we would lose, once Jabo’s effort went in. Much to play for now as some huge games loom. Vital that the crowd pulls its weight on Saturday. The home support, as so often in the past, has been a major letdown in the quest for points. And a solution to the original question? Good management or just good luck? Management indeed must be the answer. For in a division as competitive as this, a 1 – 0 win is worth its weight in gold. It is surely not luck, nor force of habit, that enables a side to churn or grind out 1–0 wins while others, towards the foot of the table, reproduce 1–0 reverses week by week. First a team has to be put together. Full marks to the manager for a brilliant Summer’s work. Then the squad needs to be bonded, a huge and important management task, requiring the skills of a trained psychiatrist. And then the maintenance of that spirit, the lifting week after week, game after game, and all without losing the support or respect of the players. And all this just to ensure an apparently tight 1–0 win and ensure those 1–0s more often than the 0–1s. No doubt in the Cobra’s mind. The management, or the management team, is all-important. And if, at times, the Cobra would have it differently, would rather, for example, see Sean or Alton returned to the side at almost any price, that is no more than a difference of opinion, a personal preference which should not be construed as a criticism.

And a postscript. A little angst, if that is right, at the fortunes of the Gas. For there, but for the Grace of God, went we. Watching that crucial goal go in over the weekend and hearing the dread sounds of “Goodnight Irene” yet again was almost enough to cause the tearing of the little remaining hair. But good luck to them, say all of us. And might they not now go one step better?

COBRA

Sing when you’re Winning

Leyton Orient (1) 2 Luton Town (0) 1

Nelson; Oji, Saah, Mkandawire (Capt), C Daniels; Thornton, Chambers, P Terry, Demetriou; Boyd, Barcham (sub Echanomi 59).

The Muse has been silent for a while now. A five-game losing run did not make for a Happy Christmas and New Year, nor did it produce anything to inspire. Selection problems there clearly were but, at that stage, the Cobra was loth to take issue with our manager for whose experience and skill he has far too much respect. However, with a five-game unbeaten home streak now in place, the Lady is stirring and two consecutive home wins, impressive in their way, yet posing many questions still, call for some attempt at analysis of what are clearly still awkward, if not unwelcome, problems in selection. The proximate spark, however, came from a chance and unexpected meeting outside the Supporters Club with an old acquaintance and one of our most notorious fans, none other than the Rector of St Matthew’s Church, Bethnal Green, one of the spiritual homes of the Cobras of yesteryear. The Rev Kev, as he is better known to the present generation of East-Enders, bemoaned the absence of the Cobra’s pennings, and made gentle efforts to revive the somnolent goddess. Another home win, in which we made very hard work of what might have been an easy task against a really quite impressive side, was thus sufficient to provoke the wordsmith into a review of the current situation.

Nothing is black and white in football. That said, experience suggests that there are a few hard and fast rules from which it is very unwise to depart, except in the most extenuating circumstances. One of those is that you should always play your strongest side. That, of course, begs the question. The point is, and even here not everyone will agree, that, in this current Orient side, Sean Thornton and Adam Chambers are head and shoulders above the pack. Previous experience alone should suggest as much, although Wayne Gray, too, of course, has played in the Premiership. Now Adam Chambers has been almost ever-present. Sean Thornton, by contrast, has missed ten out of our twenty-nine League and FA Cup games, almost one-in-three, and sat one out as a non-playing sub. Now his playing record (including games in which he came on as a sub) is little different from his non-playing record (if you will), at least in percentage terms. Played 18 Won 8 Drawn 5 Lost 5 versus Not played 11 Won 4 Drawn 5 Lost 2. Doesn’t seem to prove a lot. More victories (44% vs 36%) when Sean is playing but more defeats (28% vs 18%) as well. Interesting that our overall League and FA Cup record (and here I am supposing both Bristol Rovers Cup games to have been draws) comprises 41% wins, 31% draws and 28% defeats. So Sean’s presence makes absolutely no difference to the number of games we lose! But he does seem to make a slight difference in turning draws into victories. And this is actually the point at issue. The Northampton and Swindon draws could possibly have turned out differently had he not been suspended/injured. But he was, actually, not available! However, he sat on the bench for seventy minutes of the Yeovil 0 – 0 draw when his presence could well have made all the difference. On the bench again (and not used) at Hartlepool. And out of action for 70 minutes of the Gillingham game, too, another draw which could so easily have turned out differently. If any two of those games had been won, we should have been in second spot. For the moment, this lesson seems to have been taken and we must hope there is no further inclination to waste his talents.

But the selection problems now take a different turn. For, with Paul Terry playing at his best, Sean is left to fill a wide spot and this is causing two distinct problems. First, Sean is again wasted. He is not a wide midfielder. Second, we lose width on the park, even with the presence of a Jason Demetriou on the other flank, because Sean inevitably wanders in (as does Jason, though less so) to see more of the action. Orient played some of their best possession football for many moons on Saturday but it was largely conducted in the middle of the park and took the form of close, one-yard passes between a tight circle of players. Luton, by contrast, were perfectly capable (which we are not?) of making long, sweeping passes acrossfield direct to the feet of a wideman. Now whether or not we are capable of so doing (and Sean, for example, probably is while Adam perhaps is not) is open to debate. But without a wideman, the question, the tactic, does not arise!! So we are sacrificing a strategic asset -- width -- in order to fit Sean somewhere into our side.

But even this isn’t the real point. The real point is that, with Sean Thornton and Adam Chambers in central midfield, we have arguably the most powerful combination in the Division. A combination which could really boss the game, would keep us on the front foot, maintaining pressure which would surely lead to a goal against even the most defensive and negative of the Yeovils and Gillinghams of this world. How to resolve this issue? Not for the Cobra. The manager is paid to select. But one thing is clear. Sean must play in central midfield. We see a couple of options. Adam can certainly play at full-back. A waste, maybe, but tried and tested before and, all-in-all, making for an even stronger side. Paul Terry, too, can play at full-back, less satisfactory, it has to be admitted, given that Adam has the greater speed, but well-worth a try. So, first priority: bring Sean inside and play a wideman wide. Then? Try Paul Terry at full-back first for a couple of games, just to see the effect of playing Sean and Adam together in central midfield. If that creates more problems than it solves, then try Adam at full-back for a while. None of this is to denigrate either Sam Oji, who did commendably well on Saturday as a centre-back playing full-back, or our Captain. It is simply an attempt to live by the (almost) invariable rule that you should always play your strongest side.

Oh, and the game? A good side, Luton, who, but for their ten-point deduction, would be in mid-table challenging the Yeovils, Swindons and Brightons of this world. Adam Boyd was roundly jeered by the visiting hordes of Hatters in the East Stand and responded in the only way possible by scoring one and laying on the other. We seemed to have the better of a first twenty minutes in which few scoring chances were carved before giving up the whiphand either side of the half-hour. Historically, this was typical Orient. Dominate, don’t score, give up, concede. Not the present bunch, however. The hiatus was no more than that. A breathing space. Reculer pour mieux sauter, as they say. And mieux sauter we did, coming back into the game for the final ten minutes, with a peach of a goal. Luton break down the right. Captain-for-the-day Tammy clears to Adam Chambers who gives long. Hatters clear. Tammy puts out for a throw five yards from the flag. Chambers in with a tackle. Barcham in with a challenge, Oji with the final clearance. A fine, cross-field build-up follows. Sam to Tam to Sean and back to Brian Saah. On out to Charlie Daniels, to Jason D and overlap to receive a great through-ball. Goalkeeper Dean Brill comes out to the edge of the box to deal with the threat, fluffs the ball and leaves Charlie Daniels to give the perfect square-ball from the bye-line for Adam Boyd to tap joyously into the net. Rarely has the schadenfreude been tastier as the Hatters fans, who earlier were singing the prowess of Adam’s wrist, were now left speechless as he took the plaudits in the grand fashion for opening our account.

The second half began uncertainly. An early header from twenty yards is wide and high. Nelson finds Demetriou, via Boyd, and Barcham is put in, only to be fouled on the edge of the box. Referee Armstrong, whose performance was increasingly inconsistent, signals no infringement. Captain Chris Perry is booked for kicking away. Several minutes of Luton pressure; clearly theirs was the more rumbustious of the half-time talks. A cross from the left. Tam up, Terry out. Luton resurge. Daniels fouls Calvin Andrew and Hatters have the free-kick, five yards inside the halfway line. Tammy clears and, with great accuracy, finds Adam Boyd in the middle of the park. Top-class control, as ever, Adam slips a brilliant through-ball for Andy Barcham whose lightning speed takes him past two defenders before slipping the ball over, round and/or past the hapless Brill for Orient’s second. 2 – 0, home and dry. But nothing is ever so certain in this division and Luton began their recovery, cynically, one might think, by taking Andy Barcham out. Literally. Another cross, another clearance from the mighty Tam. Andy goes up with Chris Perry to head. They clash. Andy goes down. Now referee Armstrong either saw the incident at close quarters and adjudged Perry blameless or he missed the incident entirely. The Gallery view was the less charitable of the two. Maybe he realised that a second yellow card would have seen the dismissal of Perry who had already seen yellow. But many of the cognoscenti thought it a straight red card call in any event!! Perhaps there was merely a clash of heads; but in that case Perry was surely reckless at the very least! We should recall that Sean Thornton was dismissed the field at Elland Road for what many saw as nothing worse than this. But many saw this as a direct elbow to the face, in which case a red card was mandatory. Armstrong chose not even to talk to Perry. Yet he awarded a free-kick! Barcham is helped off, looking distinctly groggy, surely not the result of a mere clash of heads! Efe Echanomi replaces.

Now another of the Cobra’s minor moans revolves around Efe’s appearances as a substitute. Rarely do we see him for any length of time. Rarely does he get the chance to excel. Today would be different. Sean Thornton curls the free-kick just wide of the left-hand post with Brill less-than-well positioned. Hatters make a double-substitution, removing Robinson and Andrew. They break down the left and cross (always down the left!). Brian Saah completely misses the ball and Stuart Nelson is left to deal with the shot from point-blank range. Now Tammy is injured, a foul, clearly, but not given. Luton with a throw on the left. Adam Boyd is floored. Sam Oji in with a brilliant tackle. Back to Nelson under pressure and he hoofs into the East Stand in panic. From the throw, Daniels wins a goal-kick. Bell, much abused by the FantasticOs for his antics in the first-half, goes down, apparently injured, and receives much further abuse (verbal) from the fans. Boyd receives the goal-kick, wins a throw, which Daniels takes. Luton recover. Another big cross, again from the left. Nelson tips over the bar for a corner. Corner from the left. Massive melee. Nelson up but fails to punch and can only push the ball out. Keith Keane returns with a well-placed lob/volley over the pack and into the net. 2 – 1 and everything to play for!

Efe now much involved in centre-park. To Chambers. Intercepted. Luton clear. Daniels returns long and it is lost. Hatters a long crossfield ball to the left again. Oji out. Luton again. Chambers in and to Daniels and Demetriou and a perfect through-ball for Efe who is up and away. He rounds ‘keeper Brill with ease but oversteps and hits the bye-line, turning to shoot but finding the angle now too narrow. The shot is deflected for a corner. Gilt-edged chance. Blown. Daniels’ corner, clearly a practised set-piece, is angled back for Terry, outside the penalty area, who completely misses the ball (or was this a ploy??!!). It moves on to Chambers who delivers a rasping, low drive. This is blocked and deflected out. Luton clear and break down the left again. A cross which Tammy clears for a corner on the left. A repeat of the last disastrous effort but Nelson this time is able to fist the ball out successfully to Adam Boyd. Boyd to Thornton and back to Nelson to keep possession. Luton clear the kick. Daniels repels to Demetriou who is floored, Hatters still very much the more physical of the two sides. O’s free-kick ten yards beyond the halfway line. Demetriou takes quickly. Crossfield and through to Adam Boyd who controls well and has Brill alone to beat. In almost a carbon copy of Efe’s earlier mishap, Boyd beats the ‘keeper, over-runs and fails to shoot. Nowhere to go, he passes across the box but no-one is there to receive and another golden chance is blown away. The Cobra is reflective. Tranmere finished 3 – 0 and flattered us. This could have been 4 – 0, 4 – 1 and would not really have flattered us, certainly not on chances.

Half-hour gone. Luton again and Spring with a huge drive from all of forty yards. Nelson does well to get to it and palms out for a corner on the left. Déjà vu. Again. Substitute Furlong gets in a shot but Stuart holds safely. Long goal-kick finds Efe on the edge of the box. He is brought down but Armstrong turns Nelson’s eye to the incident – again! Hatters with a cross from the right. Tammy clears. Luton again from the left. Nelson holds the cross. Thornton breaks wide on the right. Oji crosses, Brill holds with Efe in close attendance. From the kick, Luton break down the middle. No offside is flagged and the defence appears AWOL. Stuart Nelson comes bravely out to dive at the feet of the opposing striker and save the day. End-to-end play for several minutes until Efe breaks out again and shoots from a narrow angle. The ball is deflected out. Thornton narrowly fails to connect and the ball is cleared.

Emanuel replaces Goodall for Hatters. Luton break with five minutes to go. Daniels plays Talbot onside. A curling shot which looks to be all the way. Nelson makes a late, flying dive and palms the ball over for a corner on the left. Spectacular. Orient clear. Luton return. A huge shot which hits Sean Thornton and deflects back to Nelson. Thornton goes down and the over-worked Lewis Manning is on the park yet again. Five minutes are added and are not without incident as Stuart Nelson is left to punch clear a last-minute free-kick from outside the box on the angle. He is felled as Luton remain “competitive” to the end. Orient have the free-kick and the game is safe!!

So, three points at home, again! A good result against an impressive, if quite physical side. But we made such hard work of it, as much through blowing two absolute sitters as through conceding a stupid goal when we were in the driving seat. It is to be hoped that Efe will be given another decent-sized substitution in order to make amends for today’s gaffe or, rather, to build on the experience thus gained. Let us hope, too, that we can continue the process of “continuous improvement”, as the Management scientists have it, and strive to find our “strongest” combination. If the squad is as well-bonded as their body-language suggests and the manager tells us, then players will understand the need for further experiment. On the other hand, perhaps we shouldn’t worry about the quality of the performance, provided we take the three points. Maybe we should just leave well alone and simply Sing when we’re Winning.

COBRA

Enigma Variations

Leyton Orient (1) 2 Cheltenham Town (0) 0

Morris; Purches (Capt), Thelwell, Mkandawire, C Daniels; Gray (sub JJ Melligan 63), Chambers, P Terry, Demetriou; Boyd, Ibehre.

Sir Edward Elgar is arguably the quintessential English composer, evoking memories of the peaceful and idyllic Cotswolds, the Victorian fin de siècle and Edwardian era (the early days of our beloved football club) and even the East end of London. This year saw the 150^th anniversary of his birth (a debt is owed to our own Julian Lloyd Webber for prompting some of what follows) and the Bank of England chose this auspicious moment to remove the likeness of this great Englishman from our Twenty Pound notes and replace it with that of a Scotsman, and not just a Scotsman but an economist, to boot, and, moreover, one whose visage had already adorned some of the Scottish banknotes! This appalling gaffe was testimony not only to the modern, shrunken Bank’s questionable judgment but also to that of another Scot, the arrogant Chancellor (now First Lord of the Treasury) who sealed his reputation for cleverness by dismembering, within a few days of coming to office, a great institution which history had taken three hundred years to mould and put together. The Northern Rock fiasco, in which the new “Brown” Bank was hamstrung from acting effectively in a way in which its pre-Brown predecessor could so easily have done, is further testimony to his cleverness.

But back to the music! Elgar may well have had the Hackney Marshes in mind when composing the Cockaigne Overture but we doubt he gave us a thought when penning the Enigma Variations. An interesting word, Enigma, and Greek, of course in its derivation, we suppose it was first used by Aeschylus or Sophocles in telling the story of Oedipus and the Sphinx. But we won’t be going there! More interesting yet the Variant Enigmas before us at Brisbane Road. How can a team produce quite the worst performance of the season on Tuesday and, four days later, fashion a 2 – 0 shut-out victory, hardly elegant in its construct, yet infinitely more satisfying in its result? And how can the sometimes insouciant Adam Boyd, apparently incapable of heading a ball on Tuesday, rise above taller opposition to head home a glorious goal just four days later? And, perhaps the greatest enigma of all, why is it that some of us, nay many of us, feel an irresistible urge to take on the role of team coach every other Saturday, yelling our advice across the void that is Brisbane Road to a bunch of heroes who would hear anything rather than our choice words of wisdom?

If Tuesday’s loss to the Lions was hardly worth reporting, there is a sense in which Saturday’s performance was little better. Many of the details can therefore be spared. But, as ever, it is the psychology of the side that fascinates and some attempt at dissecting the game is therefore necessary. Our manager spoke, both in the programme and in his pre-match briefing to the Gallery faithful, of the need for patience, both on the players’ part and the crowd’s. And the theme recurred in his post-match debrief. We assumed he was telling us to wait patiently for the goal or goals that would secure the points. With hindsight, we now see it was also a reference to the style of play which was unusual, to say the least, and gave the superficial impression that nothing had been learnt from Tuesday’s defeat. An enigma, to be sure, and one that is still in the unravelling.

Robins kicked off and kicked South, a fact which encouraged the Cobra, if nobody else. The Professor observed that we had a left-handed linesman and this proved to be almost the last occasion on which we noticed the officials, a sure token that they performed well on balance. Indeed, there was a marked lack of coloured cards (one to be precise), another measure of a man in control of events. Orient’s first passing move ended with a long ball from Jabo to Chambers which resulted in a goal-kick. Frustrating in the normal run of things. Why waste possession with a hopeful long ball? The answer lay in the conditions. Sometimes very blustery, nay squally. Always wet, puddles in places and a heavy ball. In these circumstances, the long ball, not only clears decks but offers the opposition the opportunity to make an all-too-easy mistake at the back. Jason Demetriou now away on a run down the left channel. Jabo looks clear to his right and, for a brief moment, we see the daylight that indicates a successful through-ball is on. But it is in Jason’s current mind-set to plough on. No matter. So Jabo serves as a decoy and, hopefully, opens up a gap. But Jason’s run continues, as so often recently, just that nano-second too long. He shoots. The shot is blocked. The danger passed. The return shot passes for a goal-kick. Two options for Jason, then, aside from that early ball to Jabo, which, it is worth reflecting, is surely the ball that Wenger’s protégés would have given; either set yourself a target beyond the penalty spot and go, hell for leather for that target, just as Adam Chambers does so successfully at times (in short, get into the box), or take the pot a shade sooner. Town’s turn to use the long ball and a shot is deflected for a corner on the right. The wind and rain suddenly well up from nowhere, turning an unpleasant day into a positively awful afternoon. Thankfully, it will come and go. Tam heads the corner down and out. It is returned and Jason D clears off the line, giving long for a throw. The wind seems to be blowing from the South, strangely, an advantage to our lads. Purches is fouled and we have a free-kick but, from the kick, the ball is given away, the first of many frustrating errors which echo Tuesday’s debacle. Cheltenham break away but a brilliant tackle by Adam Chambers rights the ship at the cost of a throw. And so those opening exchanges continued, very much in Tuesday’s vein, but with the weather making conditions worse. Possession lost, time and again, often, but not exclusively, by the front men. Passes difficult to string together. But, on the positive front, Tam as ever solid at the back, some interesting and huge crosses from Wayne Gray in his new role, free-kicks and crosses, too, from Charlie Daniels of a similar ilk. But, above all, a hugely reliable Cat between the sticks. Reliable hands, reliable kicking - shades of yesteryear – and sensible short balls to the full-backs, Charlie especially, when they were on. The Cobra is delighted to see the Cat mature into such a fine ‘keeper, after so many false starts. Not only does the kicking seem under control but it is well directed. Instead of the very long ball which is gifted to the opposing netminder, we now find the ball landed with precision in mid-opposition territory, precisely where Adam, Wayne or Jabo would want to be competing for it, and still allowing the prospect of a nod-on without risking the possibility of the offside flag.

Twelve minutes in and a five-minute purple patch which seems to tilt the balance of fortunes in our favour. Cheltenham win a free-kick for offside (Jabo) and, from the kick, Orient are awarded a free-kick for an infringement. Daniels takes on the right, a huge left-footed inswinger to the far post where ‘keeper Higgs holds. Stall marked out! From the clearance, Purches gives away a throw from which Robins fashion a shot. Tam blocks. A second shot from distance. Adam Boyd clears. Adam Boyd? Yes. The same Adam. Ineffectual on Tuesday, work-rate doubled on Saturday. The second Enigma Variation. Now Daniels to Demetriou to Jabo down the left. To Jason again and he is upended by the corner flag. The free-kick is just a yard from the bye-line. Jason cleverly squares back to Charlie who gets in a trademark low drive. Blocked and cleared. Chambers heads back again. Tam feeds Charlie for another shot which wins a corner. Jason takes on the right. The corner is cleared at the far post. Getting closer! Robins give long. Alton Thelwell and Paul Terry combine to clear. Adam Boyd (yes, he again) sets up Stephen Purches for a cross. A melee in the box. Jabo, facing the South Stand, attempts an overhead scissors kick and is penalised for dangerous play. Higgs takes the kick from around the penalty spot. End-to-end-to-end play ensues. Thelwell clears. To Terry, Daniels and Demetriou. On to Boyd who gives a brilliant ball out to Wayne Gray but his cross-cum-shot is blocked. End-to-end again. Robins on the break. Thelwell tackles and finds Demetriou. To Jabo and Boyd who sets Jason free down the left. He shoots. It is blocked. Daniels retrieves for Demetriou to cross. Adam Boyd up with a header which Higgs rises to save, a very near miss. On Tuesday night, Adam had lost practically every aerial ball for which he challenged whereas Wayne Gray, by contrast, won a good percentage of his contested headers. Indeed, so marked was the failure that the fair Vicki remarked on his first success, well on into the second half, one of only two recorded. Today, however, the Boyd is on song. Enigma indeed! Twenty minutes gone.

Now Terry, Demetriou and Daniels with a cross to the far post which Higgs holds. O’s come again and another Wayne Gray cross is cleared. Cheltenham on a roll. Paul Connor and Gillespie look dangerous down the right. Thelwell and Daniels clear. Demetriou gives long and Higgs returns. Gillespie shoots from outside the box and the Cat goes down to save the slippery ball with confidence. Orient clear, are dispossessed and Terry gives away a corner. The ball finds Gillespie, just a few yards out. Amazingly, Charlie Daniels, is the wrong side of Gillespie who gets a free shot which Glen Morris holds, almost at point-blank range. Robins continue to rock. We give away a throw by the flag. The cross is headed out and Daniels concedes a corner which Purches heads out. Orient clear but Demetriou is tackled and dispossessed. Terry clears, Town again down the right. Wayne Gray clears for a throw and the immediate pressure subsides. Cheltenham have perhaps shot their bolt.

Orient resurge. Demetriou to Daniels and a brilliant cross to the far post but no-one there to take advantage and Higgs fields. Now Jabo lays back for Purches to cross and Adam Boyd shoots over the crossbar. Orient again with a throw on the right from which Purches wins a corner. Daniels takes. A raft of players – both sides - go up for it and all miss the ball which runs out to Jason Demetriou, wide left, for another cross but no-one gets up for it and the ball is cleared. Paul Terry intercepts and returns the ball to Boyd who sets Jason off on a run again down the left. Jason shoots, just wide of the right-hand post (as we look). Higgs’s kick is long and Orient win a couple of throws, some fifteen yards up from the corner flag. Cheltenham regroup. Gray up to clear. Robins again. Tammy out with the clearance. Robins again down the middle and the Cat comes out brilliantly to nip the danger in the bud. Five minutes left and Morris finds the on-form Boyd who feeds Gray wide right. This time the perfect cross. Adam Boyd is up for it, brilliantly outjumping his opponent to head the ball firmly and high into the net. One-nil Orient and near-perfect timing. We try to play out the rest of the half but Robins have one more card to play. Wayne Gray, fed by Boydy again, crosses low from the right. The ball is easily cleared and Robins break down their right. A dangerous cross but there is the Cat, out and brilliantly down to smother the ensuing shot. One minute is added but we are already seeking the warmth of the bar.

The second half, as often, was somewhat better and not merely because we were kicking South. Yet the visitors had the early half-chances, Gillespie shooting from outside the box in the opening minutes and watching as the ball passed safely wide of Morris’s left-hand post (as we look). Now Boyd sets Jabo off on a run and Higgs comes out to smother Chambers’ shot. Robins again. Daniels up to the cross and Gillespie again with a shot which runs for a goal-kick. Town now with a free-kick midway into our half. Alan Wright, sometime of England fame, takes the kick and Robins look dangerous in the box but order is restored as the Cat grabs at the ball on the line with the opposing striker just a yard off. Next, Boyd gets up to Purches’ cross but Higgs rises to hold. Orient again with a series of crosses, the last of which, from Purches, is near-perfect. The ball is cleared to Adam Chambers who steadies and shoots. The shot is blocked and rebounds to Adam Boyd who has an almost open goal. He shoots high over the crossbar. Ten minutes in.

Cheltenham again. Wright to Spencer for the cross. Thelwell out. Now Terry with a great cross which Higgs holds. Robins again. David Bird shoots. We look for a goal-kick but a corner is awarded. The Cat holds well on the goal-line. Demetriou to Terry who is dispossessed and Robins come again. Gillespie and Gill exchange passes. To Wright for the cross which Chambers clears. Jabo chases but the ball is passed back to Higgs who puts off for a throw five yards from the flag. Jabo runs with the ball but loses it. Wayne Gray regains possession and, in the box, slams the ball hard across the area. Rather too much so, as he concedes a throw on the far side. Orient break again and Purches feeds Jabo whose shoot is incredibly weak, a goal-kick ensuing. From the kick, Alton Thelwell clears under pressure. Robins return and win a free-kick some twelve yards from the flag. Morris holds the kick well on his goal-line. Robins again. Gillespie shoots. The Cat stops but offside has been blown.Town again, Gillespie again and Tam deflects for a corner. But Wayne Gray is sporting an injury and JJ Melligan comes on to face his old club, with almost half an hour left on the clock. Cheltenham, too, suffer an injury and a minute or two is lost for treatment. Robins continue to impress with Wright and Duff prominent but the next chance is ours as Daniels clears for Demetriou to go on a trademark run. He is tripped by Bird on the edge of the box but the cross is cleared at the far post for a throw. Twenty minutes in and manager Keith Downing brings on Ashley Vincent for Andy Lindegaard.

Two minutes on and another injury requires attention as Cheltenham’s Bird goes down, Chambers conceding the free-kick on the halfway line. It comes to nothing as Orient win their own free-kick for a foul. The game then turned on five minutes crucial action around the half-hour. Paul Connor suddenly finds himself free and on the break. The Orient defence appeal for offside but to no avail and are caught on the wrong foot. Connor steams on, Cat only to beat. Then from nowhere comes the enigmatic Adam Boyd, back to the rescue with a brilliantly timed tackle from behind. Robins still manage a shot which Morris saves superbly and another great tackle ensures the clearance. Downing takes Bird off and brings on Guy Madjo. Town return to the Orient penalty area but a fantastic tackle from Alton Thelwell dispossesses them and the ball is cleared. Paul Terry gives long but the ball is returned. Tam retrieves and finds Charlie Daniels, on to Adam Boyd and neatly back to Daniels. A big cross, which is slightly deflected en route and falls nicely for JJ Melligan whose glancing header is unerringly accurate and finds the net. 2 – 0 Orient and game sewn up. Yet, as so often, Robins redouble their efforts for one last fling. They win a corner on the left. Tammy clears but gives another corner, the decision hotly disputed by himself in particular. Thelwell clears this one but Sinclair robs Jabo and gets in a cross which Stephen Purches clears. Demetriou on the ball is floored and Gavin Caines earns the only yellow card of the game, a sure sign of opposition frustration. The Cat takes the free-kick.

Five minutes of two-way play with the visitors still straining to register. Tam puts out for a throw some fifteen yards from our corner flag on their left. Alan Wright with the throw. Adam Chambers intercepts and runs with the ball before putting Jabo through in the penalty area. He rounds ‘keeper Higgs close to the bye-line but the angle is too sharp and he crosses the ball only to find no-one there to receive and welcome the empty net. The ball is cleared and returned. Boyd gets into the box but is tackled. Another neat Orient build, as confidence grows, and JJ Melligan shoots from around thirty yards out, the ball deflected up for Higgs to rise and hold. Then, with less than five minutes remaining, Jabo finds Purches who wins a corner. The cross falls kindly for Adam Boyd who, evidently trying to ape either Jabo’s first-half spectacular, or Adebayor’s trademark aerial volley, lifts a leg high but fails to connect. Another header was clearly on but we guess Adam was exhausted by his Herculean efforts. We understand and sympathise. Robins respond but their response is increasingly hopeful. A shot from twenty-five yards passes wide of Morris’s post. Spencer is removed and Michael d’Agostino brought on. Another hopeful shot from thirty-five yards out sails harmlessly over the crossbar. Four substitutions and a goal and two or three significant injuries requiring treatment on the pitch, we figure five or six minutes time to be added. The fourth Official signals a mere two, the officials evidently having decided that Robins could stay there all day and not score. And so our promotion push gets back on track. But the doubts remain. And we ponder the enigma that is Adam Boyd, today’s match-winner beyond doubt. Enigma also the team itself, Jekyll yesterday and Hyde today. Oh yes, and the ersatz team coach in the Gallery. A well-meaning individual, beyond question, but clearly an ongoing irritant to Martin Ling. It wouldn’t be football and, in particular, it wouldn’t be Orient, if we didn’t have our opinions and didn’t want to broadcast them. Just look at this lengthy screed!! But why do some of us feel the urge to take over the manager’s role in mid-game? And so publicly. It will remain an enigma.

COBRA

Hype and Counter-hype

Leyton Orient (1) 1 Bristol Rovers (0) 1

Nelson; Purches (Capt), Thelwell, Mkandawire, C Daniels; JJ Melligan (sub Thornton 64), Chambers, P Terry (sub Echanomi 81), Demetriou (sub Corden 64); Boyd, Gray.

Anyone who reads the Matchday Programme (pardon me, Magazine), will quickly have absorbed the central message set before the fans this week. For Chairman, Manager and Captain were all extolling the virtues of a competition which has lost a lot of its historic attractiveness, at least to the fans and media. We were reminded time and again, as if we needed reminding, of the great days of 2006, just last year in fact albeit two seasons ago, when we trooped in vast numbers to both Craven Cottage and the Valley for what, to us, were titanic struggles with Premier outfits Fulham and Charlton. Whether those opponents felt the same way was and is an interesting question. Those top-flight clubs clearly retain an interest in our oldest competition (and the world’s) though one wonders sometimes whether this interest merely seems so by comparison with their clear lack of enthusiasm for the Carling Cup. And that is surely to damn with faint praise! No wonder M.Platini seeks to award an automatic Champions League place to the FA Cup winners. A crock of gold which would surely prove too big a carrot for the biggest to resist, it would certainly restore much of the lost glitter to this ancient tourney, rightly or wrongly so.

Indeed, our manager embellished the spin, in his pre-match talk to the Gallery faithful, by supposing that a good Cup run would increase the size of the resources available to him in the January window. This within a short while of the Chairman’s having announced that the need for provision of those resources was debatable. And Martin went on to speculate which positions he would want to be strengthening, a titillating tidbit to set before us as we wound ourselves up for arguably the least interesting draw of the entire round. So, the message was clear. Win this one and the next in style and a January meeting with a “bigger” outfit would guarantee a spending spree in those January sales.

So salivating at the prospect, we went out to watch what proved to be one of the more lifeless displays of this season. Indeed, it seemed that, so keen were the management to persuade the fans, that no-one had bothered to tell the players. Now the Cobra has been researching these early rounds of the Cup for the last two or three seasons and believes there is a theory in the making. So stratified has English professional football become that it is much easier now to predict the results of these cup games than it was, say, just five years ago. Indeed, as a general rule, teams from League One enjoy a very high success rate when playing a non-league side, and almost as high a success rate against League Two teams. Of twenty-four starters, only two (League One outfits) failed to make the draw for the Second Round and that dubious distinction fell to out-of-form Yeovil at Conference high-flyers Torquay and the team with the most abysmal away record of all, a record which would not even run to a win at Barnet! Step forward our erstwhile conquerors, Gillingham. Yet, of the remaining twenty-two, as many as twelve were held to a draw and, if one abstracts the six who, like ourselves, faced League One opposition, the identity of the remaining six is of interest. For Leeds, Notts Forest, Carlisle and in-form Luton were amongst those who failed to beat lowlier opposition and to those one could add Doncaster and……….Leyton Orient.

It would seem, then, that the players at these promotion-contending clubs are not singing from the same sheet as their Chairmen and managers; that, as for the Arsenals and Chelseas of this world, the League competition, with its financial rewards, both bonuses and the higher pay scales which promotion would inevitably entail, is all-consuming. The Cup may be seen as a distraction, and maybe an unwelcome distraction, to a team in form. Nobody wants to get injured or sent off. Indeed, thoughts are very much on that next League game and, in our case, the Sky TV cameras that will accompany it. Nonetheless, the paymasters desperately want that Third Round plum and, such is the evidence building behind the Theory of Stratification that the Cobra decided to put his money where his mouth was. A brief summary of the results awaits those with the energy to reach the end of this week’s epic.

Meanwhile, we had wondered how and when Sean Thornton would be injected back into the side. The sort of team selection problem which Martin Ling likes to say he relishes. Too many good players for only eleven places. After four weeks and four games out, Sean must have felt badly in need of match practice. The Cobra would have granted him that on the grounds that you always pick your most powerful eleven, though who might have stood aside for him is not for discussion here. Martin preferred to reward those who had played so well at Swindon and start with Sean on the bench, so denying the match practice and delaying the difficult question. An unchanged Orient, therefore, lost the toss and kicked off in a southerly direction. The ball is passed from Boyd to Chambers to Demetriou, Daniels and again Demetriou and Orient win a throw. Jason to Wayne Gray who loses the ball. Tam is up for the clearance. To Daniels, Thelwell, Purches and a long ball. Gray, Boyd, Chambers, Purches and a through-ball which is cleared. Thelwell clears the clearance long. To Chambers, Terry and Boyd who gives the ball away. Rovers on the attack. Thelwell with the tackle. Rovers return. The ball runs back to Stuart Nelson. Pirates again from the kick. Cleared to Wayne Gray. To Chambers for a through-ball to Wayne Gray, a half-chance which is cleared. Rovers break quickly, a shot from inside the box which Nelson holds easily and kicks long for Wayne Gray. To Purches and Melligan who gives inside but the ball is cleared and Purches gives up a throw ten yards from the corner flag. Gas a big cross which Nelson holds at the far post. Gas again from the kick and Tam clears and Steve Phillips comes out of his penalty area to kick long. Daniels intercepts and Tam sweeps acrossfield to Melligan. On to Wayne Gray who lays off for Melligan who bursts through to shoot ten yards over the crossbar. Five minutes.

We win a corner on the right. Daniels cross is cleared. Demetriou returns with a cross which is cleared. Purches and Daniels intervene and pass back to Nelson. Rovers again. Terry up and out. Gas again with a big long ball-cum-cross which Nelson retrieves at the edge of the box and to one side. Short to Melligan, on to Purches and back to Chambers, he back again to Thelwell and on to Tam. Long for Jason who glances the ball on but loses it and the ball is passed back to Phillips whose unusual and bright attire brings some in the Gallery to question his sexual orientation. Terry intervenes and finds Purches but his ball is long and lost. Chambers gets up for the clearance and picks out Melligan but again the ball is lost. Boyd recovers and to Purches, on to Chambers, back to Terry and on to Melligan whose cross is headed back to Phillips. Ten minutes.

Daniels picks up the ‘keeper’s kick and gives long to Gray, he back to Boyd who gives on to Melligan but a poor cross is easily cleared. Rovers break down the middle and Tam is beaten for the ball, a rare occurrence indeed but typical of the lack of focus which is characterising much of the Orient’s passing today. Rigg shoots from thirty yards and the ball passes only a yard outside the right-hand post. Nelson to Terry and back to Tammy, Thelwell, Melligan, Chambers. To Daniels and back to Chambo. To Terry, Daniels and back to Terry. On to Boyd who gives a through-ball for Gray which is intercepted. Terry regains, finds Melligan. To Purches and back to JJ but he is tackled and the ball cleared. Thelwell out of defence but Rovers come again. Orient win a free-kick for a foul against Jason Demetriou who, thinking to see advantage, takes the kick quickly. Too quick even for his team-mates. Rovers intercept and counter-attack and Nelson goes up to hold the shot. Short to Melligan, on to Terry and through for Gray who goes down in the box, looking as likely a dive as a foul, and referee Trevor Kettle wisely decides to ignore the entire incident. Phillips gathers. Gas on the break and Rigg again is through, now with only Nelson to beat, when Tam gets in a superb tackle from behind to rescue the situation. Another through-ball for Wayne Gray again finds its way back to Phillips who kicks long. Paul Terry gets up to head clear and Danny Coles clears decks for the Gas, this time onto the roof of the East Stand where the descending sphere lodges in the gutter, a rare event, and to the delight of the Orient fans. Fifteen minutes gone.

Rovers win a throw. Demetriou retrieves, to Chambers and Terry and intercepted. Rovers sweep crossfield. Carruthers, Jacobson, Campbell, Elliott and Lines who gives wide right. A big cross but over the crossbar. Nelson finds Boyd, he to Melligan and back to Boyd where the ball is intercepted. Adam seems foremost amongst those with no serious appetite for the game today. Pirates win a free-kick for a foul by Adam Chambers. Elliott takes, finds Lambert who nods down for Carruthers who makes ground down the line, nutmegs JJ Melligan and crosses for Tammy to clear. On to Wayne Gray and out to Jason Demetriou who beats one defender and puts in the perfect cross. Both Boyd and Gray are up for it and Boyd sensibly seems to leave it for his compatriot who powers a strong header into the top right-hand corner of Phillips’ net. 1 – 0 Orient and, for the second successive home game we have a first-half strike. Wonder of wonders! Rovers kick-off and give to the right where Demetriou intervenes and promptly gives the ball away again. Rovers a through-ball which Nelson fields. He kicks long, JJ runs through in attack and forces a corner on the right. Daniels with a left-footed inswinger. It is low, too low, and cleared at the near post for a throw to Orient. Purches to Boyd who wins another throw just two yards from the flag. Twenty minutes in.

Purches to Chambers to Demetriou who does well to make ground before the ball is cleared in the tackle. Purches again to Chambers, Thelwell and Tammy, good possession stuff this, and on to Boyd who flicks inside to Paul Terry. Back on to Boydy who shoots from twenty-five yards out and sees the ball sail a good ten feet over the bar. The goal-kick is long and Nelson comes out to field, finding Boyd who gives up a throw in mid-territory. Tam intercepts and passes back to Nelson but his clearance is poor and allows Rovers in with a shot which Paul Terry clears at the last ditch, Nelson suffering injury in the ensuing mêlée. The game re-starts and Orient win a free-kick, probably for handball since offside was out of the question. It is long and finds Wayne Gray who appears to be fouled but gets nothing for his pains. Chambers intercepts the clearance and finds Purches who makes ground and wins a throw a couple of yards from the corner-flag. Purches to Boyd to Purches and Chambers and lost. Pirates sweep crossfield to their right. Daniels in but unsuccessful and Campbell finds Carruthers and Jacobson. Melligan intervenes, is fouled and we have a free-kick. Gray is up for it but is dispossessed and Rovers win a throw on the halfway line. Tam battles with Rigg for the ball and comes out on top, finding JJ who gives away a throw in mid-half. Melligan recovers the ball and runs but Rovers win the goal-kick. It is long and cleared, Daniels getting it away. Gas attack again. Lines to Green. Chambo tackles and Orient win a free-kick for a foul on Tammy. Nelson to Melligan (this short ball the Cobra finds infinitely preferable to the long and usually futile hoof), he back to Thelwell and he back to Nelson again. Cautious stuff. Rovers retrieve the kick and break down the left. Melligan intervenes and wins a goal-kick. It is long. Phillips fields and kicks long. Thelwell clears for a throw ten yards from our corner flag. Cleared up to Wayne Gray, he inside to Boyd, back to Gray and crossfield to Daniels and Demetriou. To Terry and Chambers. A long ball to Purches. On to Melligan and in to Gray who gives a superb wide ball back to JJ. His cross is cleared to Purches who crosses again. Cleared again, now long to Rigg who suffers another brilliant tackle from Tammy in the box. Corner Gas. This is short and a dangerous cross is punched away by the rising Nelson. Free-kick Orient for the foul. Half an hour gone.

Nelson, Demetriou, Boyd and lost. Chambers recovers and Demetriou wins a throw midway into their territory. Rovers clear. Tam with the tackle, giving a throw. Tam again, now to Gray who is tackled and the ball cleared. Alton Thelwell intervenes, is fouled and we have a free-kick halfway into our half. Pirates clear decks and break away. Thelwell clears the cross. Another cross which Tammy heads clear. Purches does well to work the ball up the line. Back to Boyd and Chambers and Demetriou on the left who wins a throw five yards from the flag. Daniels and Demetriou work another throw, close to the flag and Daniels and Boyd win a third which, to the surprise of many, Boyd shapes to take. It is long and makes it into the box before Rovers clear. So, Cup games make for experiments. Short goal-kicks and now, a long throw expert to replace Jason Miller. Purches recovers the clearance, on to Melligan, back to his captain for a through-ball which is cleared long. Nelson comes off his line to field and kicks long. Gas clear. Tam gives away a throw. Rovers in the mix. Thelwell to the rescue. Rovers return but Rigg concedes a goal-kick. Boyd up to win a throw. To Terry but cleared. Terry again to Boyd but lost. Rovers break with a through-ball which Tam heads out. Daniels to Demetriou who gives long and the ball is passed back to Phillips. The pace quickens amid a flurry of free-kicks. Thelwell is penalised for a foul and Rovers have a free-kick five yards inside the halfway line. Campbell with the kick which is headed across the penalty area. Looks dangerous but Nelson is fouled and we have the kick. Now Purches is fouled and we have another free-kick just ten yards outside the box. Daniels takes, short to Demetriou and back to Daniels whose shot is now blocked and Orient have the throw. Demetriou back to Purches and he back to Nelson. Cautious stuff again. Nelson’s long kick is returned by Phillips. Tammy is penalised for “leaning” and Rovers have a free-kick ten yards outside the penalty area on the right. Campbell with the kick and Elliott with a glancing header which passes safely, if narrowly, for a goal-kick. A minute is added, time still for Lines to head a Campbell corner over the bar, but the Cobra is long since retired to the Gallery bar to check on the Theory of Stratification. Disturbing news from Notts Co, Stockport, Barrow, Carlisle, Altrincham, Lincoln and elsewhere suggest that the theory may not be worth the paper it is written on but, in reality, it only goes to show what we all already know: that every game is a game of two halves. The one redeeming feature, aside from the first-half strike, is the fine performance of Paul Terry, playing, not for the first time, in front of watching brother John and conscious, no doubt, that, if Sean Thornton is to return, he, Terry, will be amongst the principal contenders for the early bath. Indeed, as the Fantasticos re-assemble, the Resident Referee and the Law Librarian are in deep debate, not so much on the need for substitutions, which seems universally agreed, but rather as to who will come on and how Martin Ling will effect the changes.

Indeed, as the football quickly deteriorated still further, this debate was almost all that held the interest through the early second half, though not before an early flurry. Orient threatened first with Demetriou feeding Gray for a cross which was cleared. Just as soon, however, we are conceding a free-kick to the visitors just five yards outside the penalty area. Elliott and Coles shape to take, the former stepping aside for the latter to take the kick which hits the top of the crossbar, albeit Stuart Nelson seemed to have things well under control. Rovers return and Tam intercepts, setting Wayne Gray off down the left. He crosses for Boydy who gets up for it but is beaten. The ball reaches the far post and JJ Melligan gets in a shot from about five yards out which Phillips parries for a corner on the right. Daniels takes, left-footed and inswinging, as usual. Chambers gets up and gives a great ball on to Paul Terry but this is intercepted. Rovers break down the left, Chambers tackles, Terry clears, Rovers return. Igoe on to Green, wide right, and he to Lambert but Terry intercepts. Up to Boyd who loses the ball. Chambers recovers and gives the ball away again to the huge frustration of the crowd. Orient under pressure now. A cross which is cleared. Rovers switch wide right to Green. Daniels tackles for a throw by the flag. And another. Terry up and out. Demetriou gives away a throw in mid-half and Green breaks down the right. Jason concedes another throw by the flag. The ball is crossed, Tam clearing decks. Igoe returns a shot from outside the box and his low drive passes wide of the left-hand goalpost (as we look from the west). From the kick, Gas attack again, now down the left. A great cross which Stuart Nelson has to fist away at the near post. We have the throw and build a useful move but Chambers’ final through-ball finds no-one to receive. Now Gray is caught offside. Tam and Purches clear the kick but Rovers return and Lines’s through-ball finds Lambert free to shoot but the shot is awkward and passes wide of the right-hand post. Ten minutes in.

From the kick we win a free-kick in the centre-circle. Ball given away. Nelson’s next kick finds Demetriou who raises the excitement level by beating Phillips on the edge of the box only to be penalised for an infringement. Now Rovers down the right. JJ intervenes and the ball is hoofed into the East Stand for a throw. Rovers down the right again and Tammy now hoofs into the West Stand. Rovers throw. Goal-kick Orient. Rovers return again but Orient win a free-kick for offside. Fifteen minutes gone. Another several minutes of back and forth but fruitless play and Martin Ling, evidently aware of the crowd’s restlessness for change, pre-empts his favoured sixty-fifth minute by at least sixty seconds, introducing Wayne Corden for Jason Demetriou and Sean Thornton for JJ Melligan, an elegant and readily-explicable brace of substitutions. No let-up on the pressure, though, as, a minute later, Rovers shoot from outside the box. Terry blocks the shot. Rovers shoot again. Chambers blocks the shot. Orient clear. Gray through to Boyd on the break. Goal-kick Bristol! Ling’s substitutions have evidently thrown Paul Trollope who takes a full three minutes and more to re-act before eventually unveiling his own double-substitution. Richard Walker, he of the two penalty kicks at the Memorial Ground, comes on for Jacobson and Andy Williams replaces the luckless Sean Rigg. More two-way trade ensues. Thornton soon in the mix with a great ball through to Wayne Gray who runs into the box and shoots, only to see his shot blocked. Thornton returns to Boyd but the ball is lost. Terry recovers. To Thornton and back and crossfield for Daniels. To Corden and returned but intercepted and cleared. Now Gray is penalised, Rovers have the kick and we are under pressure again. Chambers clears, Rovers return. Nelson fields. Twenty minutes left.

Orient now on the attack and Wayne Gray with a huge cross which hits the top of the crossbar, Phillips apparently covering the kick. Now Rovers with a long cross. Green looks offside but nothing is given and Purches concedes a corner. Campbell’s inswinger is headed over the bar by Tammy for another corner. Daniels clears. Rovers again with another cross which Nelson comes out to field. To Terry and on to Corden and Gray who centres. Boyd gets up and nods across the face of the goal to the near post where Thornton is steaming in to connect but narrowly fails to do so. Goal-kick! The kick is long and Chambers and Thornton clear. To Corden and Gray who lays back for Boyd to shoot from thirty yards out. Phillips goes down to save. Now Gas on the break and Walker shoots over the crossbar from around the penalty spot. Now things start to fall apart. Corden clears the next attack. A loud shout for handball against Rovers is not given. The ball is crossed from the left and appears to go for a goal-kick. A corner is signalled, Daniels perhaps getting the final touch. Elliott goes up with Tammy who wins the duel but concedes another corner. Campbell takes on the right. The defence freezes and Rickie Lambert is given space for a diving header to level the scores. 1 – 1. Less than ten minutes remaining. Martin Ling brings Efe Echanomi on for Paul Terry. Clearly a replay is almost as unwelcome as defeat itself and a three-striker ploy is evidently a gamble. Paul is obviously hugely miffed at missing the last nine minutes following such a sterling display. We are left to reflect on whether team cohesion might better have been preserved had Wayne Gray or Adam Boyd made way for Efe.

From the re-start, Corden’s cross is cleared and Thornton returns for Purches to shoot over the bar. Rovers break fast from the kick but Purches is back to win a goal-kick. Now Gray concedes a free-kick five yards into our half. Tam clears the cross for a throw three yards from the flag. A big shot is blocked by Sean Thornton and cleared but only to Campbell on the right. Daniels heads out the cross. A ball crossfield for Thornton is intercepted and Tam runs into trouble trying to clear and seeks the safety of the East Stand with a big boot. Orient recover and work the ball up for a throw just ten yards from the flag. Chambers puts Gray through and he crosses from the bye-line but Phillips holds. Orient try again and we are treated to the rare sight of Efe Echanomi roasting his opponent for sheer speed and crossing the ball from the right only for Phillips again to hold safely. Two minutes left and Orient win a throw for a foul on Daniels. Nelson advances to the halfway line (or five yards shy) to take the kick. It is long and wasted, running for a goal-kick. Three minutes are added. O’s continue to strive and Thornton’s free-kick is saved by Phillips. Trollope runs down the clock by bringing on Craig Hinton for Chris Lines in what proves to be almost the final throw of the dice. The Cobra is already persuaded that we have another trip to the Memorial Ground to look forward to (if that is the right sentiment) and again makes an early break for the bar. Not one to remember. Bring on the Seagulls.

Oh yes. The Theory of Stratification. Here are the Stats. Assume the punter buys the Mini-performance spread of each senior team (this spread rewards goals scored as well as the result) in a modest £2 stake. If all 24 games had resulted in losses for those senior sides backed with no goals scored in each case, then the punter loses £1,688!! But recent history suggests that the senior sides tend to do rather well. Let us see.

League One vs Non-League (Away) P 5 W 3 D 1 L 1 Punter wins £36

League One vs League Two (Home) P 5 W 3 D 2 L 0 Punter loses £4

League One vs League Two (Away) P 8 W 4 D 3 L 1 Punter wins £42

League Two vs Non-League (Home) P 4 W 3 D 1 L 0 Punter wins £72

League Two vs Non-League (Away) P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 Punter wins £10

Total winnings £156!!!!!

The Cobra was not that bold and selected his choices, wisely avoiding Yeovil at Torquay and Macclesfield at Rushden and Gillingham at Barnet but also foregoing Dagenham’s success and Millwall’s, Swindon’s and Tranmere’s. As of Saturday evening the Cobra was down £14. But then came Hartlepool………..

Up the O’s.

COBRA