CM 97/98 Dean Smith doesn’t want to be Japanese – Part 7: One-nil

In the Blog Squad WhatsApp this week, Rob Tait coined the phrase “Deano Juice” meaning the (definitely alcoholic) liquid that Dean drinks to give him wild ideas. As usual, he’s had a skin full…

Orient have made a good start in Division 1. Top of the league after 14 games and unbeaten. As I mentioned last week, it’s shit or bust with loads of our players on non-promotion release clauses, including the star of the blog Dean Smith.

Now this is either going to be the last episode of this series or the penultimate one. Such is the stakes; we’re going to mainly follow league action today.

If I get promoted, the last episode next week will just be me playing the rest of Dean Smith’s meaningful career. I’m writing this blog in real time, so as I’m typing I have no idea how this is going to go. So, in the words of Fabrizio Romano – Here we go!

0-0 v Norwich.

Nothing to report apart from Chan getting injured for a couple of months with a dodgy hip.

2-0 at home to Luton. Routine.

League Cup 3^rd round. Luton again. Griffo sends us through

Almost turned over by bottom of the table Charlton. But some tactical tweakery late on get us an undeserved win. We roll on.

I think we’ve got the whole Japanese squad at Orient these days.

Luigi may be in the International squad, but he’s lost his place in my team. He’s gash. Singaporean Zanial now has the shirt.

Next four league games:

Orient 2 – 0 WBA
Leicester 0 -1 Orient
Orient 1 – 0 Fulham
Carlisle 1 – 1 Orient

You’ll notice the goals have dried up. That’s because Griffo and Winston are both out for a month. Which doesn’t make things easy going to Stamford Bridge for the League Cup 4^th Round

But remarkably 32 yr old Fukuda outguns 33yr old Zola and we knock Chelsea! – Chelsea! – Chelsea! out.

Meanwhile, we let Nakata join Leicester. He’s also gash.

23 games unbeaten in the league. Our next four league games go like this:

Tranmere 0 – 1 Orient
Orient 3 – 0 Port Vale
Stockport 0 – 1 Orient
Orient 1 – 1 Forest

Not many goals conceded, only 12 all season. Testament to the back 5 led by Dean Smith. At the turn of the year, promotion – and one more episode – is looking nailed on.

Shoji Jo is sold for a million. So, we won’t make a loss this month. He’s got great stats but has never done it in the lower leagues and at 24 he’s not getting any better.

The new year can only mean one thing. FA Cup Third Round. We get an easy draw against Div 3 side Chester City. No chances taken though; we go full strength. They don’t make it easy for us though and we sneak through. Another one-nil.

If only we had a decent striker.

Back in the league and it’s a familiar score line at The Victoria Ground at we beat Watford 0-1.

League Cup Quarter Final time at home to Blackburn. Super Mario is injured and in the end, we’re edged out.

Seriously need to start scoring more goals. Let’s see if this guy can help.

The threat of incomings gives the strikers a much-needed kick up the arse against Wigan.

Okano makes his debut at Valley Parade but it’s a familiar story of wasted chances. One bloody nil. We’re very boring of late.

Portsmouth up next in the FA Cup. Stanic is back in the hole, and we score more than one!

Orient 3 – 0 Wimbledon
Birmingham 1 – 3 Orient

That’s more like it.

Another home draw in the FA Cup and we welcome the Saints. Comfortable.

Sheff Utd 1 – 1 Orient

Finally turned over at home to Ipswich Town. All talk of an invincible season are put to bed after 34 games. It won’t stop us getting promoted though.