The National League new boys will look to bounce back when they host Solihull Moors
Charlie Lee is keen for Leyton Orient to make amends tomorrow night when they host Solihull Moors at Brisbane Road.
After O’s opening-day loss at Sutton United, they sit bottom of the table after one round of matches in the National League.
There is no need to panic just yet, but Orient’s fist-team skipper wants the squad to learn from Saturday’s defeat.
“We haven’t lost much in pre-season. We did to Tottenham and Arsenal’s under-23s, but it is slightly difference,” said Lee.
“Against the lower-league opposition we did really well and it was positive, but you have to learn from games like Saturday. It is a big test and Tuesday will be a different game and one I am looking forward to.”
Lee believes the squad must face up to the difficulties they encountered at Gander Green Lane and do better next time.
Orient could be afforded some excuses for the below-par showing, but nevertheless it was disappointing to see.
“You can’t just put this game to one-side. You have to learn from it and remember what happened and what you did well and didn’t do so well and come the next day you have to be focused on the next game and ready to go,” said Lee.
The former Stevenage midfielder was playing his first match since July 25 after missing the clashes with Billericay Town and Arsenal.
Lee suffered a slight knee problem in training, but felt fine after getting through 80 minutes in south London.
Orient played their opening day fixture on a 3G surface and will do battle on another on Tuesday week at Bromley (August 15).
“A lot was said about the pitch, but importantly we came through without any injuries,” said Lee.
“It means we can go into Tuesday feeling fit and we are good in terms of the physical side of things and we are ready for Solihull Moors.”
The O’s fell behind after quarter of an hour at Sutton when Jamie Collins beat Charlie Grainger from the penalty-spot.
Referee David Rock pointed to the spot after Joe Widdowson tangled with powerful U’s attacker Craig Dundas.
Orient actually regrouped fairly well after the opener and pinned Sutton back in their own half for a sustained period of time.
But a lapse in concentration saw Dean Beckwith add a second in the 34th minute and it was always difficult for O’s from that point onwards.
Lee added: “It did take us by surprise a bit the way Sutton played after they went 1-0 up and we just need to not concede the second goal.
“You need to take it longer into the game. Fitness wise I feel we should be better than a lot of teams in this league, so we need to take the game into the latter stages and we’ll do better.
“I do feel we will learn a lot from Saturday and you don’t want to lose, but we will learn more from a loss rather than if we had rolled a team.”
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