Gary Caldwell says his Exeter City side were ‘bullied’ by Leyton Orient after losing 6-2 in quite the dramatic League One fixture on Tuesday.
The two sides couldn’t believe what they were seeing with the O’s going 3-0 up within 14 minutes and then grabbed a fourth before half time.
Millenic Alli managed to get two goals back for the Grecians quickly into the second half, however, Orient survived the slight scare by striking twice more to make it Exeter’s biggest home loss of the season, and a 7th game without a win for Caldwell’s side.
Exeter sit 17th in the League One table, with 32 points from 28 games played, and eight points above the drop zone. Orient are 6th with 44 points from 27 games played.
“We got bullied in the first 15 minutes and that’s never a nice thing for any team,” Gary Caldwell said to BBC Radio Devon.
“I have to do something about that, I have to affect the players in a different way to make them better on Saturday.
“We were poor right from the start. We gave the game away in the first 15 minutes.
“We were too loose in duals, not aggressive enough, not running enough, not defending the box well enough and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Every time they went forward they scored.
“I thought we had some good moments when we actually got forward, we looked like we were a threat but every time we lost it they were an even bigger threat.”
“It’s obviously a huge hindrance,” added Caldwell on injuries and a loan spell cut short.
“Our starting back three this season is not available for injury and obviously Tristan leaving, we’re having to put makeshift players on the pitch.
“We’re obviously desperate to try and bring defenders and I’m sure by next Monday we will.
“At this moment in time it’s difficult but we can’t affect the game, the game’s gone.
“All we can focus on is reviewing that, looking at areas we have to improve and affecting the game on Saturday as best we can.
“We’ve got 18 big games left, there’s still a lot of games to play where we have to be much better and win more of them.”
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens said: “It was a very strange game, but a brilliant result.
“I thought we were ruthless and on the transition, I thought we looked like scoring every time we attacked.
“I know it sounds weird, but we played better against them earlier in the season, but got beat 1-0 at home – and we were miles better then, than we were tonight.
“They were better than us in a lot of areas, especially in control and the way that they played.
“It’s a long journey down here and we didn’t have much time to work or train, but in terms of our rotations and playing out, we did not work on too much, it was about playing forward and landing on seconds (balls) and if we could get the next pass, we knew we’d get our front three in dangerous positions.
“Credit to them, they came out second half and had a go, but every time we attacked, I thought we looked like scoring.
“We lost three players to injury because the schedule is brutal and I think, if we don’t have those injuries, I don’t think anyone can stop us.
“But instead of one or two, we might need three or four (new players) depending on how bad the injuries are.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Gary Caldwell says his Exeter side were ‘bullied’ by Leyton Orient after losing 6-2…
@sumsECFC: Appreciate the apology, but are you out of ideas? Every friggin’ week, it’s “we need to be better”. BY NOW – WHY AREN’T WE BETTER? Ask yourself if you can really turn it around – if not, for your sake and ours, please walk.
@alfieash01: Get out of our club Gary
@ecfcwayne83: A very good manager being let down by certain players and lots of key injuries. Make a couple of signings like we did this time last year and we will be on the up
@ecfc_Josh: I don’t even know what to say anymore. This was probably the worst performance I’ve ever seen and that’s saying something with some of our recent games. I want to back Gary but there’s nothing there that makes it look like anything will change
@tomjcmorris: Nine conceded in four days at home. Barely any point getting rid of Caldwell with no window left and a load of his deadwood signings we can’t get rid of. A few of them visibly don’t give a fuck. Only way is down. We don’t have enough points and can’t see where we get any more
@sercombe_chris: Disappointing the direct question about the Purrington contract clause wasn’t asked, tiptoed around it. Transparency is a key foundation for this football club
@exetercity1904: That was really, really bad. 1-0 down and everyone’s heads drop. Next thing, it’s 4-0 and no way back. No leaders on the pitch, not one player looking to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and push us on. Nothing. Also free Ben Purrington, he deserves better. #ECFC
@mattydiggins11: Honestly, I have never been so disillusioned with the club as I am at the moment. I used to look forward to games now I dread them and the debacle they are becoming. The people who keep this manager in a job have a lot to answer for and the chicken will come home to roost. #ecfc
@JackHawker2: If you were truly sorry your team wouldn’t make the same mistakes week in week out
@col3y130: @ECFCST time to ask the members to vote on a vote of no confidence in the board and management. Do your job and represent the fans that own the bloody club!
@RyanECFC: Fucking resign
@MorganEcfc1: We Don’t want your apology, we just want you to resign
@MarcStolworthy: The fact that even 10p of my trust money goes towards the wages of Woods, McMillan and Francis makes me feel sick. Good mind to call the fucking Ombudsman.
@ECous24: Get out of the club Gary
@joetclarke: If we had a better performance for every “we have to be better” you’ve uttered, Gary, we’d be winning the league. Any ideas about *how* you’ll make us better? You know that’s part of the gig, right?

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