The only reality on show at Orient is threat of the drop

LEYTON ORIENT players are confused by their manager’s tinkering as time runs out on their bid to survive in League One. Orient travel to Rochdale tonight having lost two of their last four matches and without a win in four. With fixtures against promotion-chasing Swindon and Sheffield United to follow, it will take a mighty effort for Orient to survive.

At a time when stability is required, Standard Sport understands the players are increasingly puzzled by the team selections of boss Fabio Liverani. The Italian rarely names the same XI for consecutive games and his choices are thought to be governed more by the opposition than the talent he has available.

The feeling at the club is that if Orient stay up, the credit must go to a core of players who have managed to remain focused despite an unstable year on and off the field.

On February 13, St andard Sport reported on a club in crisis, with several staff determined to depart. At the time, an Orient source told Standard Sport: “So many people on and off the pitch want to leave. The players often don’t know the team until 1.30pm on the day of the game and they feel not enough work is done on team shape.

“The team talks are done in Italian and the goal keeping coach ( Rob Gagliardi) acts as translator. But in the game at Colchester in January, the players ended up doing their own team talk in the tunnel.

“They decided amongst themselves which opponents they would each mark at set pieces. It’s obvious that’s never going to work and it was no surprise they lost the game 2-0.”

It is believed Liverani still has challenges in communicating with his players because of the language barrier. While it is believed matters have improved slightly on this front, the situation is still far from ideal.

After the 4-1 home defeat by Scunthorpe on January 31, the squad held a frank meeting with Liverani and his staff, which for a time seemed to have done the trick.

Six wins followed from the next 12 games as Orient edged towards survival.

Yet that form has disappeared at precisely the wrong time, and Saturday’s 6-1 defeat at MK Dons was an extremely worrying sign.

Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti bought the club from Barry Hearn last year and his commitment is not thought to have wavered.

As Orient fight for survival, the club are hosting a reality programme on the Agon Channel in Italy, which is owned by Becchetti.

The show gives one player the chance to win a contract at Orient and is filmed at the club’s facilities. The winner’s chances of playing in League One next season are starting to look bleak.