Opposing views: Leyton Orient (A)
Mat, editor of the Orient fanzine Pandamonium gives his views ahead of the game against Port Vale…
About the fan
I’m Mat, I edit an Orient fanzine called Pandamonium. I came to Orient quite late in life, I suppose – I come from a long line of Spurs fans, and in fact did support them until they sold Gareth Bale and I realised they weren’t ambitious – at that point, a couple of my friends pointed jokingly pointed out that Orient were doing quite well, and I finally came along and was hooked.
I initially contributed a couple of articles to the fanzine, a Premier League fan’s eye view type thing, but soon realised that my heart was now firmly in E10 – I took over as fanzine editor, and when our new owner joined, I bought my first season ticket, and haven’t looked back since
How is your team faring this season?
I had hoped we would go straight up this year, and we certainly have the players to do it…
Disappointing.
I had hoped we would go straight up this year, and we certainly have the players to do it, though I don’t understand what the manager is trying to do. There have been some suggestions that the owner has tried to meddle with team selection, which normally I wouldn’t agree with at all, but there was a rumour he wanted Andrea Dossena to play up front.
None of our strikers are performing, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t be worth giving a player with Champions League experience a go up front – he has a great touch and has scored some great goals.
Where do you think you’ll finish?
I’d like to think mid-table, but I think we’ll be lucky to stay up.
Who should we watch out for?
Dean Cox – he’s not had the best season so far, but he is head and shoulders above the rest of the team (though not in actual size – he’s tiny!)
What are your thoughts on your manager?
I’m sure he’ll come good eventually, but if he gets us relegated, then I’d want us to get a good, young British manager. Someone like Lee Johnson from Barnsley would do me, I think.
What are your thoughts on your board?
I think they’re doing a great job really, all things considered. It’s been a tough year…
I think they’re doing a great job really, all things considered. It’s been a tough year, but what can the board do if the players aren’t performing?
Any views on Port Vale?
Tom Pope’s a good lad.
Any views on players involved with both sides?
I’ll be honest – if it happened more than a couple of years ago, I won’t be aware of it!
A score prediction?
2-0 to Orient – vincelot with both goals, if he’s fit.