Fans express anger as pressure grows on Blues boss Bond

Leyton Orient 2-0 Southend United – Reaction

ANGRY Southend United supporters called for the head of their beleaguered manager, Kevin Bond, after witnessing another dismal display as ten-man Blues crashed to a 2-0 leasing.com Trophy defeat at Leyton Orient.

Dan Happe nodded home James Alabi’s deep centre to hand the O’s an early lead, while Dale Gorman confirmed the victory with a curling effort from just outside the box in the final minute.

Southend’s misery was compounded by the sending off of Isaac Hutchinson just before the break – the Blues midfielder reacting hot-headedly after he had been fouled by Gorman.

Blues had their chances, particularly during the second period, with Brandon Goodship and Simon Cox going close. However, their disastrous campaign continued. Bond’s men have now lost eight of the nine competitive fixtures they have played to date.

Bizarrely, Southend’s management team decided against talking to the media after the match. Nevertheless, several Blues supporters contacted Yellow Sport to convey their concern.

Colin Unwin explained: “This managerial appointment appears to have sapped all of the enthusiasm from players and fans alike, and it is manifesting as bitterness, anger and resentment amongst us.

“It was another annihilation, inflicted by a team that just four months ago was playing the likes of Boreham Wood and Bromley. It resulted in a mix of angry, resigned and bewildered looks upon the faces of the Southend United fans leaving Brisbane Road tonight.

“The consensus among the support was unanimous.”

Peter White told us: “I just couldn’t see any pattern to the play, passing was terrible, and Bond just stood there hand rubbing chin looking like he didn’t know what to do?

“One question I’d like answered, what does he do with them at training each day? each week? It doesn’t look like they have any confidence. It was a terrible performance, although we did look better with ten-men!

Christopher Bent was another Blues fan at Brisbane Road: “I was not convinced with the starting line up, having just Acquah on his own up front seems to be negative move and he just didn’t have any service from his teammates.

“The second half with Cox and Goodship on was better despite only having ten men but in truth, we never really threatened.

“The fact that ‘Bond out’ was chanted by both sets of fans and that he once again went straight down the tunnel, ignoring the travelling support and then snubbed the media makes me think his days in charge at Roots Hall are surely numbered?”

Leyton Orient returns to Sky Bet League Two action on Saturday, September 7 when Swindon Town are the visitors to the Breyer Group Stadium. Meanwhile, with Southend United’s match at Portsmouth postponed due to international call-ups, the Blues must wait until Saturday, September 14 for their next League One encounter – Fleetwood Town are the visitors to Roots Hall Stadium (3pm).

Leyton Orient: Sargeant, Gorman, Ekpiteta, Maguire-Drew (Clay 83’), Judd (Ling 46’), Happe, Dennis (Angol 66’), Harrold (Capt), Marsh, Ogie, Alabi. Subs not: Janata, Wilkinson, Shabani, Sweeney

Southend United: Oxley, Bwomono, Kiernan, Hamilton, Ndukwu (Goodship 46’), Mantom (Capt), Shaughnessy, Lennon, Acquah (Cox 53’), Hutchinson, Blackman. Subs not used: Bishop, Hyam, Humphrys, Taylor, Clifford

Referee: Christopher Pollard
Assistants: Bhupinder Gill and Daniel Cook
Fourth Official: Kevin Howick

Attendance: 1,562 (308 from Southend)