Leyton Orient boss Slade staying positive

Leyton Orient’s hopes of automatic promotion have faded after four games without a win but manager Russell Slade is refusing to give up the fight.

Orient are five points behind second-place Brentford, who have one game in hand, and they may have to settle for the League One play-offs.

Slade said: “We still have a fantastic chance of going up and there are a lot of teams who would trade places with us. Getting a top-six finish, for our club, is a monumental achievement. At the start of the season we wanted a play-off spot and we have already got that at the very least. It will be difficult [to get automatic promotion] from where we are now but there is still a lot to play for. The players deserve a lot of credit for that.”

Orient, who face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane tomorrow, led the way for most of the season but their form has dipped in recent weeks. Slade admits a lack of goals has cost his team.

Orient have scored only two goals in their last four and Slade said: “We have just not been scoring goals, it is that simple.

“The mood around the club is still fantastic. The attitude of the players remains the same.”