After narrowly missing out on the League 2 play-offs by 6 points last season, Leyton Orient haven’t made the start they would have been hoping for. The O’s currently sit 19th in League 2, just two points above the drop.
Despite the poor run of form, Orient claimed their fifth victory in sixteen games with a convincing win away at Colchester on Saturday, moving them out of the relegation zone.
The current league run has been reflected in cups as they were on the receiving end of a 6-0 hammering by League 1 opposition Sheffield United in the FA cup and finished bottom of their group in the Checkatrade trophy.
Managerial crisis
Owners’ lack of patience with managers is a frequent occurrence in today’s game, and for Leyton Orient this is all too familiar. In just over 2 years the London outfit have gone through eight different managers, including caretakers.
Since the arrival of Alberto Cavasin in October the situation certainly hasn’t improved with any real positive momentum, with just two wins and six defeats in his eight matches as manager of the O’s.
Uprooting the family tree
Under fire owner and president Francesco Becchetti has had his critics since taking over the club in July 2014, and those would have only strengthened when Kevin Nolan was brought in only to be relieved of his duties three months later.
Other noticeable moments during Becchetti’s reign that wouldn’t have helped his reputation was when he parted way with some of the club’s most familiar names such as Matt Porter, lifelong fan and chief-executive for eight years.
The owner is clearly unpopular amongst the fans who despite wanting results on the pitch, want more stability.
Where to go from here?
Leyton Orient certainly have the talent to avoid the drop this season but they must start converting defeats into wins.
The team has goals. Main man Jay Simpson scored 28 league goals last season and new arrival Gavin Massey can only give more support and service to Simpson as he looks to replicate the same scoring attributes he showed last season.
The 3-0 away win over Colchester will give the team a new-found confidence and show them exactly what they’re capable of.