Embleton demands more grit from O’s

INTERIM manager Ross Embleton wants Leyton Orient to be more “gritty and determined” when they take on Newport at Rodney Parade.

Orient suffered a home defeat against in-form Colchester on Boxing Day to slip to 18th, with Theo Robinson scoring twice for United.

And Embleton said his side need to do more of the “League Two things”.

“We gave ourselves too much to do at times,” said Embleton.

“We could have got back into the game given the chances that we created, but ultimately we didn’t do enough of the basics and the things that we have done well in recent games.

“We need to do more of the League Two things, which means being gritty and determined, and we didn’t do that.

“The margins between the two sides I didn’t think were that great and when you concede sloppy, silly and naive goals then it will give you a massive hurdle to get anything out of the game.

“The conditions were difficult and I did wonder at half-time whether we would get through the game, but at this stage of the season we are going to have to play on difficult surfaces and again that means the requirements of doing the hard parts of the game.”

Colchester dominated and Harry Pell had seen a header cleared off the line, before Robinson pounced after fine work by Ryan Jackson after 41 minutes.

The U’s continued to dominate and Kwame Poke struck a post just after the break, before Luke Gambin was denied by a fine save by Sam Sargeant. Pell then doubled the lead after 64 minutes when O’s keeper Sargeant parried a cross and the midfielder netted from close range.

Orient sub Ruel Sotiriou reduced the deficit after 86 minutes, slotting home after Gerken saved from Jordan Maguire-Drew.

But Robinson was to have the last word and he ensured the points when he curled a shot into the net after 90 minutes.

“I am delighted with the win,” Colchester manager John McGreal said.

“Orient have been a little more determined of late but from minute one on a pitch which had a deluge of rain just before kick-off, I felt we controlled it and were the better side, fully deserving the victory.”