Orient chief wants side to match last season’s form on the road

East London Advertiser: Darius Henderson bundles home a consolation against Chesterfield (pic; Simon O'Connor)Darius Henderson bundles home a consolation against Chesterfield (pic; Simon O'Connor) (Image: 2 BURNHAM RD CHINGFORD LONDON E4 8PE)

Leyton Orient are clocking up the miles on their travels this season, but boss Russell Slade insists the group he has at the club can cope with the tough early schedule.

Following last night’s (Tuesday’s) trip to Plymouth Argyle in the Capital One Cup, the O’s are on the road again when they head to Oldham Athletic on Saturday, before making the journey to Bristol City three days later.

And though it’s a tough first month, Slade hopes his side’s strength on the road from last season, where they lost just three games, can be repeated this term.

“It’s a busy period away from home now, but we’ve been used to that and done well on our travels in the past,” said Slade. “We need to be nice and strong mentally and physically for those journeys ahead.

“We look forward to them and I think the group understand that we have got to work at things and improve.

“We’ve tried to plan going different ways and doing different things and staying over after the Plymouth game. There are various things we are trying to do to help the players because it is pretty hectic.”

Slade was disappointed with the opening-day loss to Chesterfield, but insists it’s early days as late arrivals Jobi McAnuff, Darius Henderson and Jay Simpson play catch up with the squad.

“It is the very first game and people want to get off to a flyer. We did so last season, but we have not been able to that. But there is a long way to go and this group will only get better,” he added.

“We are all disappointed, it’s not the start you want as you would like to register points as soon as you can.

“The substitutes did have an impact and at this stage it is all about them catching up and getting minutes on the pitch as they fight to get their full fitness because it is a long season.

“The timing of when they came on was important, but in the period that they were on you can see that they will add to the group.”