Former West Ham United captain insists they can still make the play-offs
Kevin Nolan admits he needs time as Leyton Orient player-manager, but firmly believes they can finish in the top seven of League Two.
A 1-1 draw at struggling York City was not the result the east Londoners would have wanted, but they still remain outside of the play-off positions by just a point.
They are currently three games without a win, though, after Lloyd James scored in the 75th minute to cancel out Bradley Fewster’s first-half opener for the Minstermen.
Nolan had disappointed in the defeats at Accrington Stanley and Hartlepool United, but played better at Bootham Crescent.
He was giving orders on the pitch and making his presence felt against York, but concedes he will only get things right with time.
Nolan said: “As a captain I’ve always tried to manage people on the pitch and help everyone anyway, so if people think I’m shouting because I’m a manager they are wrong.
“If I was here just as a player I would be doing exactly the same, it does take time for everything to gel. We have done well over the previous 14 games I’ve been here.
“We have a good basis and it is going to take time. I’m going to need that to mould a side and get them to play how I want, but I’m very pleased with what the lads have done for me since I’ve come in.
“And what we have got to do now is start doing the right things because it is the business end of the campaign. If we start doing the right things more often than not, I really believe we’ll make the play-offs.”
Orient have picked up 23 points from Nolan’s first 14 matches in charge and achieved some fine wins in that time against the likes of promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth and Oxford United.
But the frustrating part for the O’s supporters has been defeats to Cambridge United, Luton Town and Hartlepool United.
It is that inconsistency that has held the east Londoners back all season despite registering some impressive victories along the way.
The Orient fans have voiced their frustration at times and Nolan says that is acceptable, but he insists he is doing everything he can to give them success.
“Obviously supporters become frustrated in matches and have a right to say things, but I don’t think they are frustrated overall,” said the former West Ham United captain.
“I believe they all realise the situation I’ve come into and that this is a fantastic club. They want the best for it and I do as well.
“I can assure them I’m giving 110 per cent and working hard and making sure all the lads are too.
“Sometimes you will get it wrong and on other occasions right. I’m still learning but I feel I have a good backroom team behind me and a strong side here that can make a big point in this division.”
If Orient are to finish this year with success it would appear they need to get back to winning ways at Barnet this weekend.
Unfortunately they are facing a team with one of the strongest home records in the division as the Bees have won 11 games at the Hive, losing on six occasions and drawing three times.
But two of those defeats occurred in March against Oxford and Hartlepool to offer the east Londoners some hope.
The previous encounter on the opening day ended with O’s winning 2-0. A lot has changed since, but on Saturday the final result needs to be the same.
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