Leyton Orient boss Danny Webb’s not giving up on beating relegation ahead of trip to Stevenage
Leyton Orient manager Danny Webb shows his frustration on the touchline (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
33-year-old looking for his players to bounce back at Broadhall Way after losing to Cheltenham Town
Danny Webb’s belief that he can keep Leyton Orient up in League Two this season has not wavered despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town.
The Robins victory at Brisbane Road moved them six points clear of the O’s in the battle to avoid the drop.
23rd-placed Orient are still only three points behind Hartlepool United, however, ahead of visiting Stevenage this evening.
“When you are 1-0 down at home and you’ve just missed a penalty and people are giving you a bit of stick, the best players in the world would struggle,” said Webb.
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“But that is what they signed up for and they are out on that pitch, so you have to take what is thrown at you.
“The senior professionals are being asked to do a lot because they have to do their own job and they are being asked to help the youngsters in a relegation fight.
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“It is tough, but that is football and there is a lot worse things going on in the world and I’m sure our players have the character to deal with this.
“There are relegation battles every year at different clubs and sadly for us and our fans, it is Orient’s turn this season.
“Over the next 13 games we’ll hopefully do enough to get over the line, but we need to bounce back and get that spring into our step, which we had prior to Saturday.”
It was hard not to feel downbeat after the defeat last weekend with Cheltenham a direct relegation rival for Orient.
What made the loss even more frustrating was the missed opportunities and the below-par second half showing.
But O’s can’t let their latest defeat knock them with the victory at Plymouth Argyle a perfect example of what they can achieve.
The last two defeats have been to clubs also battling relegation, but Orient will have less pressure tonight.
Stevenage are the home side on a great run of form and they’ll be expected to swat aside the east Londoners with ease.
But Webb will be determined to see his squad bounce back and maintain their fine form against the Hertfordshire club.
Orient beat Stevenage 3-0 and 3-1 back in August while they claimed a 2-2 draw at Broadhall Way in January 2016.
Webb, reflecting on O’s recent defeats, said: “When you are down the bottom you can lose 3-0 or 4-0, but it has been 1-0’s or 2-1’s.
“That isn’t pleasing obviously, but apart from Doncaster Rovers, who are the best side by a mile, you are looking around and there isn’t that much between the other teams.
“But we are down there for a reason because we are conceding soft goals and we are not scoring enough, so that’s been the story of the season.
“We’ve got to try and go to Stevenage with the same positivity I’ve tried to fill into the players so far, but they wouldn’t be human beings if they didn’t feel a bit low after losing to Cheltenham.”
