Disastrous debut for O’s new boss Riza
OMER Riza endured a dreadful first taste of management as he was sent off at half-time, with former under-18s assistant Frederico Morais overseeing the second half of Leyton Orient’s defeat to Wycombe.
Riza only took over in midweek following Danny Webb’s resignation, and on Friday it was revealed that players and staff have not been paid this month.
Things went from bad to worse when Tom Parkes was sent off for a high tackle on 27 minutes, and his manager joined him at the break after saying something to referee Charles Breakspear.
That left Morais to step into the breach with Hackney garage owner and Supporters Liaison Officer Errol McKellar promoted to his assistant.
Riza was adamant afterwards that Breakspear had been excessive in dismissing Parkes.
He said: “The red card was way too harsh. It was Parkesy’s first tackle and whether he has gone in high or not, he hasn’t touched Wycombe’s player at all.
“Yes he is high, so give him a yellow and crack on with the game, so I felt it was very harsh.
“With the second goal, the linesman should be in line with the deepest defender, so he can see everything that is going on and the referee should be in a good position to see it and they weren’t. It is two decisions which have cost us.”
But on taking the job, Riza added: “I couldn’t leave the club in the situation they are in.”
Orient had started life under Riza brightly but lost their way when Parkes was shown red for a high challenge on Garry Thompson.
Matt Bloomfield fired the visitors ahead just after the half-hour and two minutes later Myles Weston tapped home a loose ball, with Riza incensed at a perceived push on Jens Janse in the build-up.
The win keeps Wycombe in the play-off hunt, just four points behind seventh-place Carlisle, and Gareth Ainsworth has set his sights on the top seven.
“I am really pleased with our performance – it was professional and, at this stage of the season, all I care about is getting the points,” said Ainsworth.
“How we do it isn’t up to me, but if it comes through a sending off, an own goal or coming off someone’s backside I will take it.
“We have worked damn hard to get where we are and I am glad we are still in touch with the play-offs.
“We hope to be strong for the run-in and then it’s up to me to pick the right bodies and get the points on the board, because I want to get in the play-offs.”