Seagulls boss happy to win ugly against Orient

11:53am Friday 29th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

MICKY Adams might break the habit of 15 years in management against Orient tomorrow.

The Albion boss would love to see his side produce the perfect performance when they host the O's looking for a first League One success at home after two fine away wins.

He would be thrilled to see his side produce a sumptuous display of total football as they sentence the faltering east Londoners to a third away defeat in all competitions this season.

But he will take a scrappy 1-0 if it extends Albion’s bright start to the season to ten points out of 12.

The Seagulls boss, who expressed some reservations about the way his side have been using possession when he spoke after the win at Southend, wants to keep the snowball of self belief rolling.

Adams said: “I think I get frustrated and supporters get frustrated when we go from back to front too quickly and too readily.

“I see the players on a daily basis where we encourage them to pass and play and it would be nice to see an eyecatching, pleasing performance but a winning performance.

“At this early stage what’s important is winning games of football. It breeds confidence.

“I don’t see a lack of confidence in the team at all. I think we are defending great as a unit. We just need to add other things to our game at the moment and the players are well aware of that.

“They would like to win a game of football with me coming in and saying ‘well done, I couldn’t see anything wrong’.

“Now if that ever happens ... I’ve not known it in 15 years of management.

“It would be nice but sometimes you don’t get everything you want out of a performance.”

There was a downbeat feel to Albion’s only home League game to date, when they were pegged back by a late Bristol Rovers penalty.

The atmosphere was in total contrast to the buzz in the away end at Roots Hall when Southend were beaten six days later.

That is why Adams reckons any serious criticism of the way his side are playing would be a little harsh.

He added: “There are some good players at this football club and I think individually they are showing that on a match to match basis.

“Confidence is high and we want to take that into Saturday’s game if we can.”

Adams could face a tricky selection dilemma if Kevin McLeod is declared fit after a knee injury.

Dave Livermore came in during the wideman’s absence and had his best 45 minutes in an Albion shirt to date during the second half at Southend.

Whether Joel Lynch plays a part, be it as stand-in for Colin Hawkins should the Irishman be ruled out or on the bench, remains to be seen.