At six foot one at the age of eleven, and the only kid at grammar school in short pants (thanks Mum), I soon learned to use my size and strength and be a 'playground bully' (or else be bullied myself). Never once physically violent, but you know the game; you form a gang; steal somebody's ball and not let them have it back until some tears had flowed. That was pretty typical of school life in the 1960's. I am not proud of it and am a much more pleasant person today after the frequent discipline of six whacks of the cane.

The U's reminded me of this last night as they dominated possession (Orient had a staggeringly low 28%). Jabo Ibhere used his muscle and skills upfront to repeatedly win and retain possession, and inspired others to do likewise in a superb exhibition of win and keep ball. Not only were we playing the neat passing triangles witnessed in the last five games ever since the Irish management duo took the helm, we were also now turning and beating players one on one, with Eastmond and Bean showing particularly silky footwork skills. This is the sign of a side brim full on confidence, and so we should be now that we have five wins from six. Frankly, I like to see the U's bully sides into submission, but without the need for any violence; showing arrogance and swagger that will get the fans on their feet and chanting, but more of that later.

Unlike Carlisle, The O's had no answer, and never looked like getting a foothold in the game. But opposition sides are now doing their prior homework, hence pressing forward, and preventing the U's from being quite as comfortable passing out from the back. Mark Cousins was forced to kick long more often, but unlike the days of Odejayi (who could also win and retain possession but to no avail), the likes of Massey, Woody, Henderson, Rose, Bean and Eastmond were buzzing like bees around Ibehre to give him an outlet, and on other occasions they would reciprocate. It was a joy to watch, and comforting that the U's now seem to have the flexibility to adapt their playing style to meet various opposition disruptive tactics. Also in the absence of the injured Watt, we were 33% less dependent on our loanees. It was good to see Woody and Hendo on the score sheet, and that our goals are now being more equally distributed between attack and midfield, and less dependent upon defenders and set pieces than we were earlier this season under John Ward.

The crowd of 3,378 included 627 highly vocal U's fans, who from kick off to long after the final whistle sang their hearts out for the lads. By contrast, the O's fans were silent. Perhaps nothing unusual there, but I have been to Brisbane Road a few times (a superb CAMRA bar, WHCS management to note), and always sat with the away fans, including some very large vocal contingents from Bristol Rovers, Preston etc. But none of these replicated the atmosphere and volume of noise that we created last night. The players valued and respected this, as was evident by their reaction. The U's celebrations both on pitch and stand side continued long after the rest of the stadium had an eerie emptiness.

Overheard on the train home, an Orient fan (who got off at Shenfield) phoning a pal "That's it, I am going to Southend next week". Fair enough, turns out that he did live in Rayleigh. But here's hoping that after a Chelmsford victory we might start to attract the mid-Essex located fans that we need to boost our gates at WHCS. Mind you, we might also see a few down from the farmyard, given the increasingly sorry plight of those 'singing the blues' (how appropriate). Here's hoping for a steeply rising curve of support, but there's no evidence yet, Joe Dunne also deserves more from this town, and also the 'League One Manager of the Month' (but not its curse).

Photo: Action Images

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