Orient star Daniels is looking upwards

ORIENT head to Stockport County at the weekend, just two places off the drop zone, but Charlie Daniels believes his side can still make an impression at the other end of the League One table, WRITES TREVOR DAVIES.

The defender, who tried to claim the first goal against Exeter City on Saturday, is disappointed that Orient find themselves down in 19th position and knows it's important to start climbing away from danger as soon as possible.

"Every game is an important one now, as we have lost too many for our liking," he said.

"But a couple of wins will move us up the table and hopefully we can start at Stockport."

A victory at Edgeley Park on Saturday would move the O's towards mid-table and Daniels believes the side can go even higher.

"It's a realistic target," declared the former Tottenham man, who insists that morale is still high, despite Orient's slow start.

"The vibes in the camp are good and we feel that we can beat anyone on the day. We will go up to Stockport and give it a good shot."

Certainly, the O's have not had too many problems on their travels this term. They are the only side to have won at Bristol Rovers in the league and have also taken a point from their game at Yeovil, as well as winning at Colchester in the Carling Cup.

It was only in their last away day at Southend that the wheels came off, when they crashed to a 3-0 reverse. But Daniels believes the side showed a positive reaction to that defeat when they returned to action against Exeter on Saturday.

"I thought that we were knocking the ball around nicely in the first half and were causing them a lot of problems," he said.

"We took the game to them, rather than the other way round and we did well. It was just disappointing not to win."

After a good first-half display, O's were not helped when skipper Stephen Purches and Adam Chambers failed to re-appear for the second half due to injuries, and Ben Chorley was also withdrawn as a precaution midway through the second half.

"It was not the best situation, as we picked up a couple of injuries," reflected Daniels.

"'Chors' (Ben Chorley) has been out for a couple of weeks with a hamstring and he felt it tighten up again, so he came off as a precaution, while 'Purch' (Stephen Purches) got a niggle and so did 'Chambo' (Adam Chambers)."

It was Daniels who played a major role in Orient's first half goal. Jason Demetriou touched a free-kick into the defender's path and his effort took a deflection off Marcus Stewart in the Exeter wall and beat visiting keeper Oscar Jansson.

Daniels was in no doubt that the goal should have been his and added: "It was going on target, so I want to claim it, even though it took a slight deflection."

For the second home game in a row, O's conceded a late equaliser to deny them that elusive win at Brisbane Road, and they are still searching for their first victory at the Matchroom Stadium this term.

"That's the way it's going for us at the moment," said Daniels.

"You could say it was a fluke equaliser. He (Craig Noone) struck it, it picked up on the wind and caught Cat (Glenn Morris) unawares. It was unlucky, but these things happen and we have got to take it on the chin."

Despite the club's current position, Daniels insists there is no extra pressure on the players as they flirt with the bottom four.

"No, we don't think so, we're doing the right things and eventually it will come. But we have got to do it sooner rather than later," he added.

And Daniels also laughed off any suggestions of a home hoodoo. "We're not even thinking about it, to be fair. A game's a game at the end of the day and we will keep going," he said.

"If we take our chances we will win games. We created enough in the first half. We will get our first win here soon, and crack on."

Chorley, Purches and Chambers were hoping to train today (Thursday), and face late fitness checks for the weekend.