Forward reveals how desparate he is to bring the good times back to Brisbane Road and his lack of confidence in front of goal
Leyton Orient’s club captain David Mooney admits he is willing to drop out of starting XI if it means the O’s will start picking up positive results in the National League.
The 32-year-old squandered a great chance during the 2-0 defeat at home to Gateshead on Tuesday night when the score was only 1-0.
Mooney, a summer signing on a free from Southend United, insists he’s trying everything he can to help Orient get on track again and hopes they can bounce back away to Wrexham this weekend.
He said: “I’m old enough and long in the tooth and I’m willing to sacrifice myself and I said that to the lads after the (Gateshead) game and the manager (Steve Davis).
“If there is anything I can do to help people then I’m willing to do it because I just want this club to be back in the Football League. I’ve got two years on my contract and I want to be back in the league with this club. I’ve not just come here for the sake of it.
“My kids love it, my wife loves it and all of my family love it, but I know when I am not performing well there are going to be one or two grumbles from the odd head, yet the majority of people here know I am trying and grafting.
“I went home after Saturday (1-0 defeat to Macclesfield Town) and I was on the phone until 11 o’clock at night speaking to people and I’m taking everything home with me.
“Maybe I need to relax and let up a bit, but I can’t because I’m trying to get everyone together and get formulas going, so I don’t know what more I can do.
“I’ve just got to work hard on the training pitch whether that is to be in the team or help others and maybe the younger boys have got to get their attitude sorted out and step up to the plate and come in and show me what they are all about and show the manager.
“What’s all the hype about these young lads? They have all got a chance now on Saturday with places up for grabs, so let’s see who wants it or fancies it and let’s see what we can produce.”
Mooney, who has scored three times in 18 appearances this season in all competitions, went on to admit he is struggling to take his training ground form into games.
During his previous spell at the club, the Irishmen became a fans favourie after finding the net on 51 occasions in his 170 appearances for O’s.
But Mooney’s struggled in recent months, despite scoring in the 2-2 draw at Barrow on October 7.
He added: “I hear boxers say all the time if they could take their gym form into the ring then they’d be world champion and I have been training unbelievably well, but I don’t know what it is.
“I’m probably a bit low on confidence and maybe trying too hard and I said that to the manager because sometimes when you try too hard things don’t become instinctive, but there is only one way to deal with that and that’s to keep working hard.
“Maybe I need to relax a bit more as well (in front of goal) and stop putting too much pressure on myself.”
The honesty of Mooney should be applauded despite his recent woes which have contributed towards Orient’s current run of one win in 11.
You can’t doubt his commitment to the cause, though O’s club captain knows he has to start producing the goods soon.
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