Leyton Orient began their 2021/22 season with high hopes of a play off place as some bookmakers even placed them at 14/1 to get promoted to League One. However, that has not been the case with the club now sitting in 13th, they will see it as an opportunity missed. But what do the fans think?
How long have you been following Leyton Orient?
JD: “I started following Orient in 1984. My first game was a 2-2 draw with Newport County, 17 March 1984. Goals from Kitchen and Godfrey for The O’s”
Blistering Start
Leyton Orient started the 2021-22 season in fine form following the appointment of Kenny Jackett in the summer, the O’s found themselves sixth in October following a 5-0 demolition of Hartlepool United at the Breyer Group Stadium.
How optimistic were you going into the season following Leyton Orient’s appointment of Kenny Jackett?
JD: “I was exceptionally optimistic. I imagined that the play offs were an absolute minimum for the season. With what Jackett had achieved as a manager previously and with the resources he was afforded I, along with many others, were convinced that Orient would be going places. When Jackett was appointed pretty much every team in League Two would have had him charge and many in League One would have also. At the time, and on paper, it presented as an excellent appointment and a statement of intent.”
In the 15 games up to that point Orient had taken 23 out of a possible 30 points and looked a real threat going forward, with strikers Aaron Drinan and Harry Smith in fine form. This form continued into November with the O’s racking up an 11-game unbeaten run from October into November when they were condemned to a 1-0 defeat by Northampton Town. However, the real highlight was still to come after Orient met Swindon Town at home on the 7th of December last year, and ran out 4-1 winners thanks to a brace each from Smith and Drinan Orient looked poised to battle for a play off place sitting in seventh.
Following the 4-1 home win against Swindon in December, which left Orient in the play off places, you must’ve felt confident about the rest of the season?
JD: “The 4-1 win over Swindon was the best performance I had seen in a few years and in particular the second half Orient were outstanding. After that it seemed inevitable that Orient would at absolute minimum make the play offs. At the time Swindon hadn’t lost away and The O’s absolutely gave them a lesson. I left that game absolutely buzzing about what I had seen and what I thought it meant for The O’s as a team. That night it seemed that Jackett really was getting a tune out of the team, and we were destined to achieve something.”
Torrid Turn
Things would take a bit of a nosedive after the Swindon triumph, as Orient would go the rest of December losing both their remaining games before the Christmas break and this form continued into the new year.
Orient were knocked out of the FA Cup third round by Stoke and failed to win a match in League Two in January picking up one out of a possible nine points and had slumped to 15th in the League Two table.
The worst was still to come as Orient failed to win for 15 successive league games from December to March, sacking boss Kenny Jackett in the process with the club languishing as low as 18th and three points from safety. Orient were also hit with big injury blows including first choice right back Tom James who suffered a hamstring injury and midfielder Craig Clay who also spent a lengthy time on the side-lines.
What do you think went wrong under Kenny Jackett?
JD: “From the outside its difficult to know for sure. However, the run of games being called off throughout December and January wouldn’t have helped with continuity. Also, the loss of James and Clay for the season had an impact – more so James than Clay to my mind. However, Clays energy was also a loss in the middle of the pitch. On top of that it has been suggested that Jackett was aloof and didn’t bond with the players very well at all and that he had treated some players very poorly. It has also been rumoured that he thought he was bigger than the club and that he rubbed people the wrong way. No matter what, he had clearly lost the dressing room and the players were certainly not performing for him.”
Orient hired Matt Harrold as an interim manager before he was finally replaced by ex-Salford boss Richie Wellens in March who guided Orient to their first win in 15 with a 3-1 home win against Rochdale.
What were your feelings about the appointment of Richie Wellens following Jackett’s dismissal?
JD: “Very pleased. The season Swindon went up from League Two Wellens was in charge. When Swindon beat Orient 3-0 and they gave The O’s an absolute lesson – we really couldn’t live with them at any level whatsoever. If he can replicate that style of football, then there is much to look forwards to. On top of that the players have clearly bought into what he is trying to do, and they are very much playing for him. Added to that, his interviews are excellent. They are to the point, humours, open and engaging. He presents as a likable bloke.”
Steadied Ship
In the months that followed Wellens got his side the results the O’s needed ,as after the 3-1-win Orient picked up three wins in their next five games. Orient are now currently are in 13th place and their final game of the season could see them finish in twelfth.
All in all, it has been a turbulent season for the O’s but it could’ve been a whole lot worse without the change in management and the steady increase in results. Rising East asked Joe what his expectations were for the season ahead.
What are your expectations for next season?
JD: “With the way The O’s have ended the season I am very optimistic, but not getting carried away. I have never doubted the ability of the squad Orient have and there is now a manager place that can get a tune out of them. Also, the board made it clear in January they were happy to back a manager financially for the team to push on. I am sure Wellens will be busy over the summer trying to retain the players he wants, shipping out those he does not fancy and bringing in those it is felt will add additional qualities to the side.
On top of that there is an ambitious board at The O’s who have high expectations both off and on the pitch. Along with that they have no fear of making decisions when they need to be made. Overall, I would say its best health the club has been in for some time and with the correct rub of the green I would have thought The O’s will be top 7. However, I fancy League Two will be the toughest it has been for some time in the 22/23 season. There will be some big clubs competing in it next season and good few that are prepared to chuck a generous amount of money at the playing staff.”
