Top of the South Stand: How can Leyton Orient bounce back from Hartlepool horror show?

By Tom Taylor, London24’s Leyton Orient blogger
Monday, February 18, 2013
12:57 PM

With 87 minutes gone at Victoria Park on Saturday, most Orient supporters would have been content with being a goal up with minutes to go. The moments between that point and the final whistle were an absolute horror show for any of the loyal 146 travelling away fans or the thousands back at home watching the vidiprinter in shock and disappointment.

But then O’s fans wouldn’t expect any less. From beating top of the league last week and losing to bottom this, it really underlines the frustrations and pains a supporter of the inconsistent O’s goes through season after season.

Looking at Saturday’s defeat from an optimistic viewpoint, it may be the tonic to fire up the squad for Wednesday’s huge return leg against Southend. Arguably unlucky to be behind from the first leg, it is going to require all the hunger and desire those players have got to see off the Shrimpers. Hopefully they will use the pain from Hartlepool’s late turnaround to make sure it never happens again whilst there in an O’s shirt.

With the prospect of Wembley just 90 minutes away for both teams, it should be an absolute cracker of a match. With the hosts likely to have a full house and Orient bringing 2000 fans from east London, it should be a great atmosphere inside Roots Hall and hopefully even better than the first leg two weeks ago.

Regardless of what happened at Hartlepool and what may happen in Southend, there are many reasons to be positive around E10. This team on paper and on the pitch is looking one of the strongest squads the club has had in recent seasons and if the club can tie down core players such as Scott Cuthbert and Lee Cook, next season could have the opportunity to be better than the current campaign.

The club has already made progress in this department by getting top youngster Moses Odubajo to sign for a further two years. It shows ambition by the club, to keep hold of our talented young players and build squad capable of challenging the top half of League One for now and into the future.

Also credit must go to Odubajo, who was interesting clubs from a higher level but has decided to stay and learn his trade with us rather than take the offer of joining a bigger club only to be stuck on the bench or in the reserves like former Orient winger George Porter.