Russell Slade admits his small squad is already being stretched to the limit and managing a lack of depth sufficiently will be crucial in Leyton Orient’s promotion bid.
Slade could only name six substitutes in the 1-0 extra-time League Cup defeat to Hull City last night, later
conceding that he “didn’t have any more” players to fill the bench because of
injuries.
He made just one change from the weekend win over Crewe and his team looked
tired at the end of their exertions, losing to a 107th minute goal from Robbie Brady. Slade has no fresh injury
concerns ahead of Saturday’s trip to Colchester but some heavy legs might be a
concern.
Orient have one of the smallest squads in League One and have used just 17
players in their opening four league matches. Only cash-strapped Coventry have
used fewer.
Slade knows avoiding fatigue and injury to key players will be important
because he does not have the resources to rotate the core of his squad.
“It is going to be very important to manage the squad,” he said.
“That is why I
brought the likes of Kevin Lisbie off after 65 minutes. We have not
got a big squad but we have got some quality and I think we saw that against
Hull.
“Our troubles will only come if we start to lose players to injury. The last
thing we wanted was extra-time but we have got to look after them now before
Saturday.”
The size of Slade’s squad was displayed on the back of last night's
matchday programme, with only 20 Orient players listed including five under the
age of 21.
Hull manager Steve Bruce said: “The thing for Russell will be whether he has
got enough strength and depth [to maintain a promotion push]. I think his
starting XI are a really talented bunch with some good young players, but
underneath that has he got enough to make sure he can stay at the top of the
league? He has not got the biggest of budgets but he has got a very good side.”
Orient defender Scott Cuthbert said: “Yeovil got promoted with a small squad
last season so it is not impossible. The main thing is keeping everyone fit and
keeping the core of the team together, then I am confident the results can keep
coming.”
Shaun Batt missed last night with a hamstring injury but will be fit for the
trip to Colchester. Slade is in talks with Burnley about extending Marvin
Bartley’s loan.
