33-year-old reflects on 4-1 defeat to League Two leaders Doncaster Rovers and discusses the pressure on the O’s players at the moment

Danny Webb conceded there is a lot on the shoulders of players and staff at Leyton Orient ahead of Monday’s date in the High Court.

The O’s produced a spirited first half performance against Doncaster Rovers today, but fell away in the second half and lost 4-1.

Orient’s next battle is in the High Court as they face a winding-up petition over an unpaid tax bill to HM Revenue and Customs.

“No there has been no communication about what way it is going to go on Monday, so we are all left guessing and in the lurch,” said Webb.

“Then you are trying to lift a load of players against a top team, so it is very tough and they can only be lifted so much.

“It is frustrating because the older players, I’m sure, were promised the world in the summer and it hasn’t turned out that way.

“Now they find themselves scrapping down the bottom and at the same time I am asking them to help out the youngsters, so they have a lot on their shoulders. I have a lot on my shoulders, but we are giving it our best shot.”

Webb admitted it is hard for people at the club not to be thinking about the winding-up petition.

Orient’s future is up in the air with liquidation a real threat on Monday, but the boss at Brisbane Road is trying to stay positive.

“I think it is natural for the winding-up petition to be in our minds and it is something else we have all had to deal with it,” said Webb.

“You tell yourself ‘what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger’ so hopefully we come out on the positive side of it on Monday.

“I don’t know which way it is going to go and I should imagine that is the priority for everyone connected with the club.”

The O’s produced plenty of fight on the pitch and fell short against a clinical and classy Doncaster team.

Mistakes by Orient’s young defence punished them in the end, but it was all square at half time in E10.

Tommy Rowe put the leaders in front after 36 minutes, but Tom Parkes slotted home the equaliser just before the break following a sensational move.

Webb added: “It was a good goal and a good counter-attack. I thought we were playing ever so well.

“It is disappointing we are not talking about an equaliser which got us a well-earned point, but mistakes were made and we looked a bit shaky as the game went on and we truly got punished.”

Aron Pollock’s poor pass was capitalised on by John Marquis, as he rifled past Alex Cisak 10 minutes into the second half.

Marquis grabbed another before the end and the final word went to former O’s captain Mathieu Baudry.

The French defender hit a stunning volley four minutes from time, but decided not to celebrate his goal.

Orient fans responded by applauding their old player, but the latest defeat for the O’s sees them seven points from safety.

Just eight games are left and it looks certain the Brisbane Road club won’t be in the Football League next season.

“I think survival is a possibility until it is mathematically impossible, but realistically it is going to be very tough,” said Webb.

“We are conceding a lot of goals, there is a lot of naivety out there. I think there is a lot of heart and promise in our play, but there are mistakes.

“I am hoping that by the start of next season, if we are all still going, then those mistakes are eradicated.”