IT WAS derby disaster for the O's on Monday as Southend bounced back from a goal down to claim all three points. Stand-in captain Tamika Mkandawire swapped positions due to several injuries, but was in no mood for excuses after the game.
Tam, another disappointing result after taking the lead - what did you make of it?
"In the first half I thought we played well, we battled, played the ball a little bit and obviously after we went 1-0 up everybody thought we were going to win the game. They've had a bit of luck, the ball has bounced for them in the box, but when you're down there sometimes things don't go for you. We've got to look to turn the corner on Saturday, and just try to keep our heads up."
We've fallen into the bottom four now - can we escape?
"I definitely think we've got the players to get out of it. When we scored the goal we were controlling the game, so we've just got to try to keep our confidence high and take the positives from the game, work at it in training and there's not much more you can do. It's down to the 11 players that go out on the pitch."
How accurate is that old cliché about being most vulnerable when you've just scored?
"It's very true. If you go 1-0 up you've got to hold the lead for five, ten minutes, regain your shape again and not get too excited. Unfortunately we gave a free-kick away on the halfway line and it just went from there."
"After going ahead and the elation of going 1-0 up, getting pegged back so quickly just drains you a little bit, knocks your confidence, and I think that's been our problem this year. After we go a goal down or they get an equaliser, we haven't been able to lift ourselves and push on again."
We had a few defensive injuries to contend with - how did you find it at left-back?
"There was a bit of a reshuffle but obviously sometimes you've got to do that. I quite enjoyed it, apart from that we lost. It's part of being a footballer having to fill in for other players when you've got a small squad."
Luke Summerfield has left and Andros Townsend's loan is up soon - will we need some new blood in the transfer window?
"I'd like to think we'll get some reinforcements in January, to give the squad a lift. Hopefully Andros will stay, but you do need that little lift, that little bit extra. It's not through lack of trying, all the boys are giving 100 per cent, and hopefully we'll turn the corner. But we badly need a result on Saturday now."
Tamika Mkandawire was talking to Si Hawkins
