Omer Riza trying to stay positive ahead of Leyton Orient’s clash away to Luton Town
Leyton Orient manager Omer Riza issues instructions from the Gallery after being sent to the stands at half time of their clash with Wycombe Wanderers (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
The O’s will suffer relegation today if they lose and Hartlepool United and Cheltenham Town win their respective games
Leyton Orient could have their relegation from League Two confirmed later today, but boss Omer Riza is looking to get his first win as manager away to high-flying Luton Town.
If the O’s suffer a defeat at Kenilworth Road and Hartlepool United win at home to Carlisle United and Cheltenham Town claim all three points away to Crawley Town, then the E10 club will be down.
Orient could again field a very inexperienced team at Luton with various senior players still out due to injury or suspension after missing Saturday’s 3-0 League Two loss at Cambridge United.
“Every game is a challenge and it is all about what we can try and take out of it,” said Riza ahead of the Luton encounter.
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“We lost at Cambridge, so we have to take the positives out of the individual performances and the teams performance because we did certain things we were looking for.
“Now we will go into the game with Luton with the same frame of mind of trying to win.”
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It would take something special for Orient to avoid defeat, but they at least will not come up against ex-player Ollie Palmer on Good Friday.
Riza added: “Luton asked if Ollie could play, but I didn’t want him to because it is the worst thing when you have a player out on loan and they could face their parent club because they have a point to prove.
“It is tough enough for our boys without having Ollie Palmer on the pitch trying to roughen them up, but he has gone away and acted professionally at Luton, so it is normal for him to not play.”
Even if the O’s relegation isn’t confirmed at Luton, Monday’s clash with Hartlepool at home is likely to be the final nail in the coffin for the east Londoners.
Orient are bottom and 10 points behind Pools, who are 22nd in the table and one spot above the relegation zone.
After 112 years in the Football League, O’s time there is coming to an end and the immediate future looks very bleak.
