Italian reflects on defeat to Blackpool, team selection and the positives to take from another loss at Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient manager Alberto Cavasin rejected claims chairman Francesco Becchetti is involved in team selection after today’s 2-1 defeat at home to Blackpool in League Two.

Goals from Jamille Matt and Tom Aldred put the Tangerines two goals ahead before Paul McCallum pulled one back for O’s on the stroke of full time.

It was Orient’s seventh consecutive defeat at Brisbane Road this season, which is a new record for the number of losses in a row at home.

“We work hard during the week and on that basis I pick the team which goes out onto the pitch,” said Cavasin via a translator.

“I think every manager that could have been here before more of less made the players play the same.

“Everybody is playing, we have some injuries and the squad isn’t very big so the line-up I decide to put on the pitch comes almost naturally.”

The Italian, who has overseen seven defeats in his nine matches in charge, went on to admit injuries are forcing Orient to play their current formation.

Wingers Harry Cornick and Ulrich Nnomo remain sidelined while central midfielder Liam Kelly is another long-term absentee.

Cavasin added: “Michael Collins came because the directors told us about him and I said ‘yes I like him bring him in’ so the chairman got him.

“The line-up in terms of McCallum replacing another striker and what we have decided in midfield where Sandro Semedo has to be sacrificed. We play another midfield, which is Collins, if he was on the bench like you’ve seen you could say maybe he should play.

“It is a 50/50 choice and in the defence we’re numbered, the formation the chairman doesn’t do it, I don’t do it, circumstances do it.”

At times in the second half the home players looked nervous with Blackpool two goals to the good and in control.

Cavasin felt it was important to take positives despite the 2-1 defeat, adding: “Today we have put in a different performance in respect to others at Brisbane Road.

“We were more competitive and even after the first goal the team didn’t get downbeat. We had some moments where we weren’t as intense, but in respect to other matches this time we’ve ended going up.

“In these moments when we are losing it is very important to look at what positives we’ve achieved.”

The Italian said: “No the players aren’t nervous, they are present in the pitch and acting positively. The team tries to stay as a group and united even when they concede they try to play.”

Orient’s nine defeat of the campaign in all competitions sees them drop to 20th in the table ahead of hosting Exeter City on Tuesday.