Danny Webb enjoying ‘tough’ Leyton Orient job despite the difficulty of the task at hand

Leyton Orient goalkeeper Sam Sargeant looks to deal with a ball into the area despite being under pressure from Notts County striker Jon Stead (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Danny Webb is enjoying the challenge of being Leyton Orient manager despite the numerous problems coming his way with every passing week.

Things haven’t been easy for the 33-year-old since taking over on January 29 with O’s battling to move out of the League Two relegation zone.

Injury problems and suspensions haven’t helped his cause with Liam Kelly handed a six-match ban last Friday.

To compound the aforementioned issues, Tom Parkes suffered a pelvis injury at the weekend and it leaves Orient short of central defenders.

Webb said: “Yvan (Erichot) is out for six or seven weeks I believe and Nicky Hunt has still got another game to serve after Notts County.

“Aron Pollock is just coming back to training and Michael Clark has been on loan at East Thurrock in the National League South.

“It is tough, the whole situation is, but I’m enjoying it because the players are doing things that I’m asking.

“I’m also seeing people in this crowd getting a bit of love back for this club and that has been drained out of them over the last couple of years. I hope I can help put that back into them bit by bit.”

Even though Orient lost to a relegation rival on Saturday, the home supporters still applauded the O’s players off the pitch.

There is a real bond developing between this squad and the fans with Brisbane Road a cauldron of noise at times last weekend.

Orient’s supporters have appreciated the efforts of the plethora of teenagers currently involved in the senior set-up.

Sam Sargeant has caught the eye in goal while Myles Judd continues to improve with every game at right-back.

Josh Koroma has excelled on the wing over the past week while Sam Dalby’s obvious talent is clear to see.

Only Sargeant, at 19, is too old out of the listed foursome to line up for the Orient academy this season.

Dalby, Koroma and Judd all played a part as O’s reached the third round of the FA Youth Cup and now are fighting to keep the club up.

The future looks bright for Orient’s youngsters, but with them thrust into a high pressure situation, they will make mistakes.

Notts County’s second goal on Saturday saw Jon Stead flick the ball in despite Sargeant protesting he had two hands on the ball.

While the O’s goalkeeper may have deserved some protection from the referee, it was another learning curve.

In the future, Sargeant might try to punch the ball clear in a similar situation instead of trying to hold onto it.

Despite the mistake, the former Redbridge loanee deserves enormous credit for the way he has slotted into the first-team.

Sargeant has demonstrated his potential and his kicking ability and confidence when coming for crosses is excellent.

Webb added: “I’m not sure if the ball was kicked out of Sam’s hands or not. I don’t think he should have been in that situation to be fair.

“I don’t think we should have allowed the ball to go in behind like the first one and regardless of who is back there, I don’t think our goalkeeper should ever be left one-on-one like the first two goals.

“But they all did well and if I had two English, experienced central defenders at the back, I’d really analyse those goals we conceded.

“It is hard to overanalyse it because people like Josh, Myles and Dalby should be learning from their mistakes in under-21 games and ‘Sarg’ is the same, but they are doing it in first-team fixtures.”

The counter-argument will be that Sargeant should be on the substitutes’ bench with Alex Cisak in goal.

But despite the Australian being undoubtedly a brilliant goalkeeper, the introduction of the 19-year-old has helped Orient.

Sargeant may not be as good a shot-stopper as Cisak, but his distribution, handling and agility are all qualities to be admired and that’s why Webb should and will keep faith with the teen.