Horrible season for Leyton Orient, but some positives to take admits Omer Riza
Leyton Orient boss Omer Riza shakes hands with the Colchester United staff after Saturday's game finally comes to an end - Credit: Archant
Relegation was an ending nobody expected, but this is no doubt an experience everyone will remember for a long time.
The 2016/17 season could go down as the worst in Leyton Orient’s history, but it has proved to be beneficial for a number of people at the club.
Omer Riza had to think a little bit before answering what the positives of the current campaign had been.
No doubt some of the performances of the young players have been a rare bright spot in a season full of darkness for O’s.
For Riza, the chance to manage in the Football League has also been a personal high, as he started the campaign with the academy.
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Relegation was an ending nobody expected, but this is no doubt an experience everyone will remember for a long time.
“The positive of the season is of course the youngsters. There are positives for them to have had so many games and to have played together,” said Riza.
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“Usually it is one or two, but they have all had the opportunity to step out onto the pitch and play together in very tough circumstances, so I think that is a positive.
“The academy is another positive because that is still thriving this year and doing well, but other than that it is hard.”
After a moment to gather his thoughts, Riza highlighted the support of the O’s fans as something to remember in 2017.
The Orient supporters’ have pulled together and they do say nothing brings people closer than a common enemy.
Riza added: “Obviously the fans have been brilliant, but this season isn’t a positive for them because they have had to deal with a lot.
“For me, I have had the honour of managing Leyton Orient and my goal is to be a league manager and to keep growing and become better.
“This has given me a great foundation to build on and confidence too because even though I have played the game for 20 years, when you step into a managerial role sometimes you question things.
“I had had a lot to deal with over the last two months, but I feel I have been strong and it has been a great experience.”
