Michael Skubala admitted the Imps didn’t do enough to take anything from the visit to London this weekend, despite a fast start.
Conor McGrandles, Ben House and Freddie Draper all had early chances, but after failing to take them, City dropped out of the game. Idris El Mizouni’s goal just after the hour decided the contest, and post-match, Skubala believed the hosts did enough to take all three points.
“I think in the end they did enough to win the game, if I’m honest,” he said after the game. “After the first 20 minutes, we had some big chances, and we need to take them.
“When you come away to a tough place like this and create those opportunities, you have to score one of them, and then the game looks different. They started to get a bit more control as the game went on. I thought in the second half we didn’t punch back enough or have enough control, and when it went 1-0 down it was always going to be difficult.
“We just weren’t quite at our best today. It wasn’t about individuals; together we weren’t at our best and didn’t compete well enough. I thought they won more duels than us. But still, we created some big chances early on.”
While Orient got the goal, they were limited to a handful of chances as well – their 11 shots included a lot of long-range half-chances, rather than anything clear cut. Indeed, Wyscout recorded their xG as lower than outs, which was a source of frustration for Skubala.
“It’s not like they were cutting us open—they just had a bit of territory. We didn’t quite do the right job in midfield or get enough pressure on the ball.
“In the end, it’s a header from quite far out, and it’s a great finish by the lad, but probably only a half chance. Again, I feel in the first 15 minutes we had some big chances, and in the second half we created another before their goal. Away from home, you have to score those chances.”
The head coach wouldn’t say he was disappointed that we’re missing chances, but like other managers before him, a lack of creativity is concerning. That was evident in a second 45 minutes that served as an incredibly frustrating way to pass the time for City supporters.
“I’d rather be creating chances than not, but the bit that concerns me is that in the second half we didn’t create enough. In the first half we did create enough, but after that early second-half chance, we didn’t make enough from there.
“I want us to create more chances, and the lads need to keep working on the final action, the finish, and staying calm in those moments.”
The Imps have a chance to get back on the horse quickly, with the visit to Bradford City on Tuesday night, rearranged from the recent international break.
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