Orient’s top goalscorer has gone five-matches without a goal in League Two
Sean Clohessy has backed Leyton Orient team mate Jay Simpson to get back in the goals again soon after not scoring in February.
Kevin Nolan’s men make the long trip up to Carlisle United today (Tuesday) looking to continue their momentum in League Two.
The O’s have registered back-to-back victories against Notts County and Crawley Town in recent weeks to move into the play-off positions.
Simpson, the leading goalscorer in the division, hasn’t scored since the 1-0 win against Newport County on January 26.
His current five-match run without finding the net is the longest he has gone this season without scoring.
But Clohessy isn’t concerned about the form of the 22-goal forward and believes he is helping the likes of Armand Gnanduillet – who scored twice against Crawley on Saturday.
“Nobody is even paying attention, I don’t know how many games he hasn’t scored in, but he is such a threat,” said the former Southend United defender.
“He is so good in front of goal and to be fair he has carried us this season. If he hasn’t scored in two or three matches then nobody will be saying anything to him.
“Teams are wary of Jay, but it gives space to other players because he is such a threat so that allows other people to get more space.
“Saturday was a prime example, they were so concentrating on him that ‘Armie’ has scored twice. Jay will come back in the goals, don’t you worry about that.”
The last time Orient had to contend with three matches in a week, they picked up success against Wycombe Wanderers and Newport before losing to Cambridge United at Brisbane Road.
Clohessy enjoys the quick turnaround, however, and insists they are confident about getting a positive result at Brunton Park.
He added: “At the end of the day you want to be playing and I think it is good when you play Tuesday, Saturday because you get a good run of games.
“You can get a lot of points on the board as well that way and start creeping up the table so obviously we need to prepare right.
“It is going to be a long journey up there, it is a big pitch and it will be northern weather so very cold, but we are ready for that.
“We know this is a crucial period for us because there is always one team that comes in late on the play-offs and gets on a run – hopefully that can be us.”
The foundation for O’s recent stong form under new player-manager Nolan has been keeping clean sheets.
Orient have registered five victories since he took over and every time they’ve won, they haven’t conceded.
Clohessy praised the current back four, but revealed the whole team are more focused on defending now.
“If you look at our back four, it is very steady and the boys are very strong at what they do,” said the Orient vice-captain.
“They don’t really leave any holes and we are now getting the clean sheets, which is massive in this division. I think the rest of the side are working hard.
“If you look at the way Northampton play. When they came here the two wingers didn’t just attack, they worked so hard defensively and that’s what you have got to do.
“The whole midfield and strikers have brought into that and the gaffer has asked for that. He doesn’t just want the back four defending, when we get a clean sheet it isn’t just them it is the whole team.
“I think we have been doing that recently and defending from the front. At the back, the last line of defence has done really well against Crawley and Alex Cisak has made a great save with a couple of minutes to go to keep a clean sheet.”
Another good defensive showing tonight could earn Orient a third consecutive victory under Nolan.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here