It was the moment many, including
myself, truly started to believe.
I’m not talking about the win on
Saturday that put us an incredible 8 (EIGHT) points clear at the top, albeit with
new likeliest challengers Preston have a game in hand.
No, I’m talking the win at the
Matchroom Stadium last season when we actually looked like – and got the result
that – a side who could do something in this division should be getting.
Remember at that time we were still battling relegation, whilst Orient were
flying high and aiming for an ultimately unattainable promotion, which made the
result and the performance even more noteworthy.
A year on and the tables have
very much turned. As mentioned before, City have bought exceptionally well and
brought in a manager who is getting the very best from his bunch of players,
whilst Orient have lost last year’s supremo and, whilst they have attracted
some decent looking players, for one reason or another they’re clearly not
gelling as the club would have hoped.
Having gone eight points clear at
the weekend, this is an opportunity for City to strengthen their position whilst
their three main promotional rivals all use up a valuable home game.
Stu Radnedge caught up with James
from the Orient blog, Total Orient to find out what has been going on in East London this time around.
“When the O's travelled to Ashton Gate in August there was still
optimism that Orient could have another good season. A point and a clean sheet
against a strong Bristol City suggested that, despite the change in ownership
over the summer, we could compete with the better teams in the league and
perhaps challenge for promotion again.
However, since then the club has suffered more upheaval as the new
regime have struggled to get to grips with running a League One football club
and on the pitch the team have suffered a play-off final hangover. Instability,
injuries and a lack of confidence have all contributed to our regression.
After a poor start, Russell Slade left the club to join Cardiff in
September but his departure wasn't handled well by either party. Orient had
already slipped towards the wrong end of the table and Slade's assistant Kevin
Nugent and sporting director Mauro Milanese were not able to arrest the slide
during their short stints in the dugout.
Being 19th in the league in December and already on our
fourth manager of the season didn't look good. Former Italy international Fabio
Liverani was appointed as manager. Despite a career in Serie A as a player, one
win in seven games with Genoa was his only real previous experience as a
manager, which hardly inspired confidence. He lost his first two games in
charge but comfortable wins over fellow strugglers Crawley and Yeovil suggested
that he could be the man to get the team out of trouble.
Any new found optimism was swiftly dampened, as Orient gained just one
point in January. The situation was made even worse by media reports of turmoil
behind the scenes.
It was beginning to look like Orient were destined for the drop.
Performances were lacklustre and Liverani's ability to organise, motivate and
communicate with his players was in doubt (in part due to the language
barrier).
There are still some negative stories from time to time, but overall
the mood around the club has become more positive over the last month. Three
wins from five in February and consecutive clean sheets is an obvious
improvement. Orient's recent performances have shown some of the same
determination that characterised last season. If the O's can maintain the same
spirit they stand a good chance of survival. The squad has the ability to stay
up.
However, there's still a long way to go. Relegation would be a massive
step backwards after coming so close to promotion last year and Francesco
Becchetti's continued financial support would be vital. A club our size
couldn't support wages reported to be in excess of
£7,500 a week on our own and we would likely lose some key players and would
therefore need to rebuild.
The O's have conceded first all too often this season. When chasing
games, we often resort to playing more direct which doesn't really suit us. If
we can get the opening goal and stick to our passing game on Tuesday we will
stand a much better chance.
The use of two wingers has also played a key part in our last few
victories. Swansea loanee Ryan Hedges scored his first senior goal at the
weekend and has provided two assists in two, while Jobi McAnuff is finally
playing to a standard that more closely resembles his ability. Dean Cox has
been on the bench recently due to injury, but his goals and assists record in
League One speaks for itself.
Orient's upturn in form makes defeat seem less certain than it would've
looked a month ago. However Bristol City are top of the league for good reason
and they are favourites for Tuesday's game, particularly given our poor home record.”
Huge thanks to James and to Stu
for the report. Let’s hope there’s not another shock win in East London this time
around.
COYR!
The Exiled Robin
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