Former QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands insists no need for Leyton Orient to panic
11:15am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Simon Mail
Martin Rowlands believes the O's will soon find their form: Simon O'Connor
New signing Martin Rowlands insists there is no reason to panic despite Leyton Orient’s disappointing start to the season.
The experienced midfielder made his full debut in the O’s defeat at Crawley Town, which left his new side still without a point from three games, but saw enough positive signs to suggest their results will soon turn around.
Rowlands, who agreed a one-month deal at Brisbane Road, thinks it’s only a matter of time before his new team-mates find their feet and climb away from the foot of the League One table.
The 33-year-old said: “There are only three games gone. I think a lot of the other teams have played four and we missed a home game against Hartlepool which for arguments sake if you win, you’re not sitting where we are.
“It’s always a false dawn. When five to ten games are gone that’s when you can start to see how the season’s going to pan out. There have been three tough games and we go into a tough game again this weekend. But when you look in the dressing room there are a lot of bodies in there and we’re confident that we can do well.”
He continued: “We had plenty of the ball but obviously we’re gelling together still with a few new additions and I think things will come. We’ve had a chat after the game and we’re positive. We’re very disappointed to come away with nothing but we’ve conceded one goal away from home and one against Stevenage.
“Obviously the problem at the minute is we’re not putting the ball in the net. If you put the ball in the net in a couple of those games then the results are different. That’s what we're going to work on and I’m sure things will come.”
The former Queens Park Rangers midfielder does not know if he will be staying with the O’s beyond his short-term contract but admits he is enjoying being back in action on the pitch after a frustrating spell following his release from Loftus Road in January.
Rowlands said: “We’ll have to wait and see. It’s up to the management but I’m just happy to be part of something and back playing. I’ve been out of the game for a little bit over the summer and the manager’s given me a short-term contract. Hopefully I can do well while I’m here and we’ll just have to wait and see what happens from there.
“Obviously I’ve signed a short-term contract and it’s good to get back playing and be part of the side. I’m enjoying it and I trained for about three weeks before but obviously my match fitness needs to get up to speed as well.
“It was good to get 80 minutes and it’s just a shame about the result but I’m sure with games I’ll get fully fit and the results will most definitely come.”
The O’s looked a better side with Rowlands involved and his presence almost immediately paid off on Saturday when he appeared to be brought down for an early penalty. However, referee Phillip Gibbs decided otherwise and booked Rowlands for diving.
The Hammersmith-born midfielder was adamant it should have been a spot kick but accepted decisions tend to go against sides when they are struggling for form.
Rowlands said: “If you ask your man there he’s caught me, he caught my foot and the referee thought I’ve gone down. Straight away I’ve gone to their player and he’s admitted he caught me. The ref thought I went down easily. He spoke to me at half-time and said ‘if I don’t give the penalty I’ve got to book you because it looks bad on my part’. I told him if he watches the video he will see he’s caught my foot.
“But they are the things that don’t go with you when things aren’t going your way. Things seem to go against you but it’s just one of those things. I’m sure with time and hard work and with the way we defended, I’m sure that things will come.
“I started alright and the keeper’s made a save from me but that’s all irrelevant. The main thing is we’ve not got anything out of the game and I thought it was a 0-0 game all day. I don’t think any side really dominated.
“They had half-an-hour in the second half but I don't think they put us under immense pressure and it was a 0-0 game but unfortunately we conceded a goal.”
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