Todays conditions…..

….cried out for leaders and grafters. Unfortunately we don’t recruit players like that. Absolutely spineless today the lot of them.

 

The crisp packets and empty bottles on the pitch put in more of an effort this afternoon

 

Absolutely.

I don't think I've ever watched a game before which was so completely affected by the conditions. Anything hit off the floor, or over a distance greater than 10 yards was blowing in random directions at random velocity. The one from Gent's cross that hit the post was comical.

For that reason, I feel a little sorry for Ben Killip, as his role was most directly affected. It clearly gave him the heebie jeebies, and as a consequence put in a performance that rivals the worst goalkeeping displays I've ever seen.

I've said elsewhere, the conditions reduced the game to a test of character which our players (and coaching staff) failed miserably. Orient worked hard and won their battles, for which they were rewarded with a 4-0 win, but even they didn't really adapt their game to the ludicrous conditions, they just played percentages.

The only player on both sides who appeared to understand that the ball needed to stay on the floor and in close control was Barry Cotter. Not someone I've often credited with a great deal of footballing intelligence.

The game cried out for players to get close to one another, play short passes through the thirds, and to run with the ball especially in wide areas. To play in the air or over distance was to give it up to chance. The fact that didn't happen even remotely consistently over 90 mins points to a serious lack of leadership - either from the coaching staff in providing that clear instruction, or from the players to identify the solution themselves. Probably a mixture of both.

Either way, we've learned today just how deep our problems run. No hiding now.