O'Malley looking to make it three home league games unbeaten with victory over Orient

Defender Mason O’Malley has stated the Iron must bounce back quickly, and look to make it three home league games unbeaten against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old first reflected on defeat to Mansfield at the weekend, stating to iFollow Iron: “It was a tough one to take. It hurts, as every loss does, but we’ve got to move on, pick ourselves up and brush ourselves down.

“We’ve got a busy week coming up with two games at home. Hopefully we can pick up some points. We’ve got to stick together, and that’s the main thing.

“I don’t think we were really in control at any point. Even when we scored to go 1-0 up, I don’t think we had any control. We always looked unsettled. We had a chance with Lofty (Ryan Loft), and if we score to make it 2-0, maybe it’s a different game. We’ve dropped a lot of points and let leads slip, and we need to cut that out as soon as possible.”

O’Malley provided the latest insight into life under new first team manager Keith Hill, with the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international echoing the demands for high standards that he requires.

“I’m really enjoying my time under him,” he continued. 

“He’s great for me and he’s great for the team, and I think he’s someone who really wants to help us out. We need to buy into what he’s trying to offer us, and if we do there’s no reason why we can’t do really well.

“He demands the best - high standards, and I’m all about that. In training, in games, and even when you’ve got time off, it’s all about making sure you’re professional. He drives high standards, and it should push us as players to do better.

“Training is intense. Every day is hard, and that’s how it should be. As we go on, the fitness will get higher. I’m feeling it myself now. I’m getting a nice run of games, getting more minutes under my belt. I’m hoping that other players are feeling that as well, because we need to be performing for more than 45 minutes or an hour, we need a complete 90 or 95 minute performance."

Since returning from injury, which was feared to be much worse than it was, O’Malley has been a consistent starter in the side and has managed a run of games, battling against fellow left-back Lewis Thompson.

“It’s been good - it gives you that confidence,” he stated. 

“I want to keep my shirt, and I’ll do everything I can to keep my shirt. Having that battle with Thommo is what I need. You need someone pushing you on, but I’ll always keep pushing myself.”

United have two home games in four days before a 10-day break from matches. After that the festive period will see six matches played in just over three weeks - a busy and important period for the team.

“Every game is tough,” he added. 

“We’re at home (on Tuesday), so hopefully the fans will come and get behind us, and hopefully we will pick up some points.

“It’s a busy schedule, and an important time of the season. We need to pick up points, and we need to do it quickly. We have got plenty of games left, but we can only say that for so long.”

See much more from Mason O'Malley and Keith Hill on iFollow Iron.