MOTM: Leyton Orient 4-0 Bolton Wanderers

Despite putting it off as long as he can, Liam looks some of the more notable performers from Saturday’s defeat 4-0 against Leyton Orient. 4-0.

Do you know what the most galling thing about writing this is? I picked to do it, the preview was sat there unclaimed and I thought I would mix things up a bit and go for a man of the match post. This foolish action meant I was morally obligated to follow-through on my promise and write this for site in the spirit of being a man of my word and not letting the side down.

I have put writing this off as long as I can, I didn’t want to think about that game at any further point in my weekend. It’s getting to the point I don’t even want to watch football at the moment, I didn’t see any other game over the weekend, no interest.

So let’s get to Saturday’s performances then. I don’t think it is particularly hyperbolic to suggest that Saturday represented one of the lowest points of our history so you can understand my reluctance in having to bring myself back to events on Saturday to get this out there.

I’d like to pose a question to you, the reader, why have you decided to read this?

Do you think I’m really going to consider who came out of Saturday with any sort of credibility? Or maybe it is the opposite, maybe I am going to absolutely slate the club from top to bottom the team and say nobody deserved it?

I’m not going to do either of those things, maybe it is the watching from home but I don’t have the same energy or fire watching this from my front room on my own, I’ve found the whole experience tiresome and if I’m being honest, dull.

I‘m not going to note any individual performances but I think the most disappointing aspect for me was the progress made at the back unraveled spectacularly on Saturday. The talk on social media after the game seemed focused on effort levels and whilst maybe it is true that some players put more effort in than others, I think it is better to judge the players & staff collectively on this occasion. You lose 4-0 as a team.

I’m not awarding a man of the match.

There is some good news in all though. The packed fixture list that Wanderers are having to manage means that they have the chance to put that result behind them with a game at home to Mansfield Town on Tuesday. Some players who have found themselves on the fringes may see their opportunity presented, let’s hope they’re grasped with both hands.