The O’s welcome their old manager and Richard Thomas back to Brisbane Road this weekend
Leyton Orient manager Danny Webb acknowledged they have a long way to go in their battle for survival in League Two, but is determined to keep proving people wrong.
A dramatic finale at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night handed the 33-year-old his first win as O’s boss, yet they remain in the bottom two on goal difference.
The 3-2 victory has enabled Orient to build some momentum, however, ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with fellow relegation rivals Notts County at Brisbane Road.
“You can’t help but glance at the league table, but I try not to and I’ve told the players the same,” said Webb.
“I want them to switch off as soon as they go home from training and don’t go on the internet and look at other teams’ form and fixtures.
“We need to concentrate on ourselves and what will be, will be and if we keep playing like we did at Plymouth, then things will be positive for us.
“But we are still second from bottom and there is a long way to go, and we’re probably still favourites to go down, so we need to make sure we keep proving people wrong.”
When the Magpies visit Brisbane Road this weekend, it will see former player-manager Kevin Nolan return alongside O’s old academy boss Richard Thomas.
The team who wins on Saturday will give themselves a huge boost in the fight to avoid dropping out of the Football League.
Both Orient and Notts County appear to be building momentum under their new managers, so a close contest can be expected.
And while Webb is aware O’s will be buoyant after beating Plymouth, he knows they must back it up on Saturday and discussed the mood in the camp under his stewardship.
He said: “If you had seen training on the Monday after the Carlisle United game (February 4) you would have seen a big difference in their confidence regardless of the result.
“The Thursday after the Morecambe defeat (February 7) was the same and Monday after Yeovil was the same.
“And this week will be the same too. When you win games you might have more of a spring in your step, but the boys aren’t stupid.
“They know if we lose at home on Saturday and have a bad performance, everyone has their heads down again, so we have to keep it going.”
Orient will be without club captain Nicky Hunt this weekend, though, and for the big six-pointer with fellow strugglers Cheltenham Town on February 25.
The experienced defender picked up his 10th yellow card of the season at Plymouth and will now miss the next two matches.
Webb added: “After the game ‘Hunty’ had his head in his hands. I didn’t click why and then he said ‘it was my 10th booking’ so he was feeling a bit down, but he was a soldier on Tuesday.
“Just like Tom Parkes, just like Callum Kennedy, Michael Collins, Liam Kelly – all of the players have been fantastic.
“We have options with Nicky now being suspended. Teddy Mezague was on the bench and so was young Michael Clark.
“I wouldn’t be afraid to throw him in while Aron Pollock is coming back from injury, so we’ll be all right.”
Orient have a lot more work to do in order to remain in League Two, but Webb has everybody associated with the club believing again and that can only help.
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