League Two’s top goalscorer comes out in support of the O’s head coach after fans voiced their frustration at Stevenage

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson (right) celebrates after scoring against Stevenage with Ollie Palmer (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson (right) celebrates after scoring against Stevenage with Ollie Palmer (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson admits it is disappointing to hear the fans calling for head coach Ian Hendon to lose his job.

The 27-year-old scored his 19th and 20th goals of the League Two campaign at Stevenage on Saturday to earn a 2-2 draw.

His second of the game at Broadhall Way came in stoppage time and earned the O’s a share of the spoils.

It failed to stop the away supporters chanting ‘Hendon out’ at the full time whistle, but the former Arsenal youngsters has backed his manager.

Simpson said: “It is quite disappointing when you get the fans calling for the manager’s head because I really enjoy playing for him.

“I know the boys enjoy coming to training and working with him and Andy Hessenthaler. I understand the fans frustration about the goals we are conceding, but it is something that we actually work on.

“I know they don’t see what we do in training every day, but I think they should get behind the gaffer.

“As we experienced last year it was very odd with Fabio Liverani involved and I promise you this season is a thousand times better than last year.”

This time last year the O’s were currently under their fourth manager of the campaign and unsurprisingly it ended with relegation.

Simpson believes Hendon came into a difficult job at Brisbane Road during the summer and feels he is doing better than most give him credit for.

League Two’s top goalscorer also insisted that the club can finish the campaign with success despite currently sitting outside the play-off positions.

“The gaffer has brought stability and I think it can be forgotten that during the summer we had a massive clear out,” added Simpson.

“We had a load of new staff come in and literally a new team and it takes time for things to gel. It was a tough job for the gaffer to come into and pick us up after last year.

“But I think he is doing a great job and I understand the frustration of the fans, but it would be much appreciated if they could get behind us and hopefully we can turn this around. It is still possible for us to finish the season on a high.”

Simpson’s stunning form has probably been the highlight of the campaign so far for the club, Hendon and the supporters.

The forward, who has spent time at Millwall, West Bromwich Albion, Queens Park Rangers, Hull City and Buriram United previously, explained why he has flourished this year.

He praised the impact Hendon has had on his game for allowing him to have freedom on the pitch.

“I think in patches over my career I have played in different positions. I have been a second striker or out on the wings,” said Simpson.

“But with the gaffer, he has let me go out on the pitch and play where I want to play - that allows me the freedom to get into good positions.”