33-year-old reflects on 4-1 defeat at Stevenage and full of praise for Freddy Moncur and other youngsters

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient boss Danny Webb urges his team on (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient boss Danny Webb urges his team on (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Danny Webb reiterated his desire to remain at Leyton Orient for the long-term after watching them suffer a 4-1 defeat at Stevenage and fall six points behind Hartlepool United in League Two.

The O’s started the first and second half poorly and were punished despite Paul McCallum pulling one back.

With Hartlepool beating Crewe Alexandra 4-0, Orient are now six points from safety with 12 games to go.

“It is nice for me to see those young lads that I’ve worked with on the pitch and they are not just there to make up the numbers,” said Webb.

“They are learning, but they are also contributing, which is great, although I’d rather them be doing that and winning or drawing.

“I don’t want anybody to think I’m leaving Stevenage after a 4-1 defeat with a smile on my face.

“Whether we have under-14s or the first-team out there, I don’t want to lose, but I’m trying to be the first person at this club for a long while to be proactive and not reactive.

“This place has been in quicksand for a while and it is about time somebody tried to get us out of that for the bigger picture to survive.”

Webb, despite Orient being embroiled in a relegation battle, has always maintained he is planning for the future.

Straight after the 33-year-old was appointed on January 29, he revealed he was not only thinking short-term, but long-term too.

The O’s finished the game at Broadhall Way with seven current academy members or graduates on the pitch.

Freddy Moncur made his league debut after replacing Sammy Moore on the hour mark and grasped his chance with both hands.

Moncur was busy, showed quick feet when on the ball and helped Orient finish with a fight at Stevenage last night.

Webb added: “Freddy was excellent and trains fantastically. He is 20 as well, so not another 17 or 18-year-old.

“He is one of the older heads we’ve got, but he certainly gave his all and his attitude has been great.

“We went 4-1-4-1 at the end to basically try and stop another goal going in and we had Gavin Massey, Moncur, Steven Alzate, Josh Koroma in midfield and Victor Adeboyejo up top.”

Alzate made his first appearance for O’s off the bench and, like many of the other teenagers, caught the eye.

It was a difficult evening for Sam Sargeant, however, who had to pick the ball out of his net four times.

The 19-year-old could do little about the first two goals, but was at fault for the third straight after half time.

Luke Wilkinson headed Jobi McAnuff’s cross towards goal and Sargeant got a hand to it, but could only parry into the corner.

It was a crucial moment, although the youngster bounced back well and was unlucky not to save Tom Pett’s fourth.

Webb reiterated his backing for Sargeant and spoke about how he is planning for the future at Brisbane Road.

Webb said: “It was a tough night for Sam conceding four goals, but the first two he couldn’t do anything about.

“One is a penalty and the other is a free header. He got a hand to the third, but I can’t blame him for any of the goals.

“We have Charlie (Grainger) waiting in the wings to have a go and Alex (Cisak) is training and keeping himself sharp.

“The worst thing I can do now is start panicking, but I won’t and the players I have in the squad are there for a reason. I’m not afraid to leave people out of squads to benefit my philosophy and plan.

“My philosophy and plan is to do that and win games, but at the minute only half of that is happening. Unfortunately this should be a long-term project.”

It was another difficult night for O’s, but yet again the youngsters didn’t let the club down and continue to wear the shirt with pride.