A more
traditional ‘Inside Line’ returns following last week’s Lee Johnson interview,
and I’m delighted to welcome Andy - @OrientMeatPie on Twitter – who gives us the insight into the season’s surprise package, Leyton Orient, ahead
of our delayed trip to the East End.
Leyton Orient are the story of
the season in League One...no, in English football in fact, this season.
What's the secret to the success you're having and how has it felt to be
an Orient fan this last year?
Russell Slade puts it down to
picking good players and keeping the squad together that has gradually gelled
into an excellent unit over time. We have a good blend of youth and experience
and it’s really paid off this season. We’ve finished 7th twice in the
last 3 seasons, so it we’d hoped to make it into the top half, although
Orient have typically had a poor season following a good season the year
before.
We’re normally slow starters
too, so our remarkable first half of the season has left us all bewildered as
much as anything, although it’s been brilliant to have been so dominant for the
so long. However, we’re all realists and know that it may not last with a small
squad and modest budget. Irrespective of how we finish, we’re proud of what has
been achieved so far!
Can 2014 possibly match 2013's
incredible success?
Possibly. Injuries and
suspensions have caused a blip in our otherwise amazing form, but provided we
can keep the squad together and avoid any more serious injuries (Jamie Jones, 3
months or Shaun Batt, out for the season) we may be OK. We have brought in good
loans and signings o sustain a promotion push.
Fewer than five weeks have
gone by since an entertaining draw at Ashton Gate, how has Orient's form been
in the last few games, results have possibly been as shaky as at any time in
the last 12 months, but you seem to have picked back up recently?
We had a wobble, mainly due to
injuries and suspensions. Top scorer Mooney, injured and suspended, Vincelot
injured v Wolves, Jones out for 3 months, Batt out for season, Omuzusi
suspended etc. It’s been a tough time for most teams, but smaller squads suffer
especially badly at Christmas/New Year.
Nevertheless our spirit is
outstanding so we’ll pull together and push through it, which has been
reflected in a brilliant January where we’ve managed to continue to get some
outstanding wins (Crewe away 2-1, Carlisle home 4-0, Shrewsbury away 2-0,
Coventry home, 2-0)
With transfer deadline day just having passed, which player(s) did you
have locked in a room until the transfer window closed?
Moses Odubajo (our young
winger who came through the youth team-number 11), Elliott Omuzusi, full back)
and Romain Vincelot. All have been critical to our success this season.
And how was business for you? Did you add strength to the squad, and
which (realistic) player would you have loved Orient to sign, perhaps the final
piece in the jigsaw to seal promotion?
Russell Slade did a great job
bringing in keeper Eldin Jakupovic who featured prominently in Orient’s
unbeaten January run, but had to go back to Hull as their keeper was sent off
and they needed back up.
Ex-Rangers and current Stoke midfielder
Jamie Ness has extended his loan until the end of the season, while quick
strikers Loza (from Norwich) and Shaq Coulthirst (from Spurs) have provided a
spark off the bench and competition for places.
The best signing, however, was
Chris Dagnall from Barnsley, who bagged two on his debut at Crewe. With the
deadline day permanent signing of Marvin Bartley from Burnley and our deadline
day signing of keeper Ben Alnwick from Charlton, we look in good shape for the
games coming up.
Are you going to go up? If so,
who with. If not, who'll pip you to the post?
Maybe. Three of us (Brentford,
us and Wolves) are pulling away from the pack now and nobody is fading. I’d say
play offs at worst. Wolves have an insane budget for this league and have just
splashed out £750k for Leon Clarke. I’d expect us, Brentford or Preston to
sneak into the other spot. MK Dons, Walsall and Rotherham to be around the play
offs as well.
You recently wrote a really interesting post for the Two Unfortunates outlining the risks of having an owner dead set in providing you with your
'dream' move to the Olympic Stadium. Is it something you, and the majority of
O's fans, want to happen or are there too many concerns?
There are concerns over
multiple issues, such as suitability for the stadium and Barry Hearn’s
intentions and the long term vision of the club. If we move, the likelihood is
that we will end up in a similar position to Coventry within 10 years, without
any control over where we play. The scary part is that like most football
clubs, we are operating thanks to Barry Hearn’s goodwill to a large extent.
It would be great if you could
point your readers that are interested to the blog I wrote and the Stand up for
the Orient campaign on Facebook, here:
Bearing in mind we’ve recently lost 3-1 at both of the other top sides,
is that score-line you can see being repeated?
We’re on a good run at the moment. This may be the kiss of death, but yes,
I’m going to say 3-1 to us!
Have a look at my Match Reports on http://www.leytonorientblog.com/ for our January
performances!
No doubt Orient will once
again provide City with a test, following their recent chastening experiences (to
different levels) at Wolves and Brentford. At least once it’s over we know we
don’t have to play any more of the top sides this season!!
The Exiled Robin
Follow me on Twitter ---'Like' us on Facebook
http://exiledrobin.blogspot.com
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