Leyton Orient v Sheff Utd: Aggression required as Blades eye response at Orient

The Scarborough-based O’s manager has been linked with the vacant manager’s post at Cardiff City over the past few days.

But that only came after Slade’s future at Brisbane Road was last week hanging by a thread amid suggestions he had just one game to save his job.

Considering this came just a few months after the East London club had been denied a place in the Championship on penalties by Rotherham United in the play-off final, Clough felt it harsh.

Ahead of taking on Orient tonight in the Capital One Cup third round, the Blades chief said: “It is bizarre.

“To get Leyton Orient into the play-off final, playing they way they did, is an incredible achievement. And then, six games or so after that to find himself in this situation, well, I do just find it bizarre. There is no other word.

“But that is the business these days, I suppose. I wouldn’t back against either of us getting into the top six at the end of the season. If Russ gets the chance to manage a club like Cardiff then good luck to him.”

After springing a major shock just up the road in round two by beating West Ham United, defeat to Orient would be a major blow for the Blades.

However, Saturday’s 5-2 defeat at Swindon Town coming on the back of Tuesday’s smash-and-grab win at Colchester when three goals in the final eight minutes brought a fortunate 3-2 win means Clough’s side need to be more solid at the back if they are to progress at the expense of last season’s play-off finalists.

The United manager said: “We are disappointed with the goals we conceded.

“We have got to get an element of aggression back into our play. It was there against West Ham, Peterborough and Preston. But not Colchester or Swindon. I think their two centre-forwards came off the pitch with not a mark on them.

“The focus for getting that comes primarily from the back four. That is who you look to set the tone but everyone else has to play their part, too. We have got the size and the stature.”

Last six games: Leyton Orient WDWLDW; Sheffield United WWDWWL.

Referee: J Adcock (Nottinghamshire).

Last time: Leyton Orient 1 Sheffield United 1; November 30, 2013; League One.