Leyton Orient defender Jayden Sweeney has stated that he wants to help his boyhood O’s side clinch promotion with huge games coming up over the Easter schedule, in an interview with the official Leyton Orient website.
The 21-year-old has been at Brisbane Road since joining in 2014 as a teenager, coming through the ranks at the East London club to eventually break through into the first team set-up with the O’s.
Jayden Sweeney has featured in the last 10 games for the O’s, cementing a spot in the starting eleven week in week out. His run in the side has coincided with Richie Wellens’ men going unbeaten over this period – a crucial 1-0 home win at Hartlepool last time out ending a four match run of draws.
Leyton Orient have sat at the top of League Two for some time, Richie Wellens’ men seven points clear of their nearest challengers Northampton Town in 2nd.
Automatic promotion up to League One would see The O’s back in the third tier for the first time since the 2014-15 season, Leyton Orient was relegated at the time amidst club turmoil.
Now, with the club stable again and dominating the division, promotion is very much on the cards.
Leyton Orient will hope the next few games can see a pattern of victories emerge, matches against Salford and Harrogate Town on Good Friday and Easter Monday presenting Richie Wellens’ side with tough but winnable contests.
The O’s have been formidable in defence all season, conceding just 25 goals in 38 matches so far. Jayden Sweeney will hope his defensive work at left-back can help Leyton Orient gain more wins and help his boyhood club finally seal promotion.
Speaking to Orient’s website, the pride he feels putting on a Leyton Orient shirt was evident.
He said: “Coming through the academy it has been tough. I’ve been in and around it for a fair few years now so to finally breakthrough has been a bit of a relief, but more pride than anything.
“Just proud to play for this club, especially because I’ve been here for so long.”
He further recollected on his experiences as an O’s fan, travelling to the 2014 League One playoff final between Leyton Orient and Rotherham United as a supporter.
Although Orient lost on the day in dramatic fashion – Rotherham winning on penalties to secure promotion – Sweeney hopes he can secure promotion in the present day as a player under Richie Wellens.
He said: “I was there at Wembley in the League One play-off final so to go through it all, the rollercoaster, the ups and downs, everything in-between, it will be so special to bring the club back to where it deserves and then hopefully kick on from there.”
Writer’s View
Leyton Orient supporters must be expecting promotion to be clinched now instead of just hoping and praying, a sizeable 11-point gap between the O’s and Carlisle United in fourth means automatic promotion is all but secured.
For players such as Jayden Sweeney however, they will want to not only clinch promotion but also clinch the League Two title to see the campaign out in style.
Sweeney will also hope that promotion will lead to him being able to test himself against a better calibre of opponent and further his game in the long run.
