To say it’s been a frustrating opening to the season for Leyton Orient is an understatement, but defender Mathieu Baudry feels the team need the fans more than ever.

The O’s have endured a hangover from last season’s play-off final defeat, and go into tomorrow’s home game with Coventry City sitting in 19th place – just a point above the relegation zone with a third of the season gone.

And while the fans have stayed behind the side despite their struggles, Baudry is calling for their continued support as they battle to move up the table.

“I think the situation is as hard for them as it for us,” said Baudry. “In three months it has changed a lot but we need to be realistic.

“We are towards the bottom of the table and we need to work hard, fight for each other and we need the fans to understand that it’s not going to be like last season.

“It is more difficult but we are going to need them even more than last season.”

Managerial changes certainly haven’t helped either with Mauro Milanese is the O’s third manager of the season, following on from Russell Slade and Kevin Nugent, who held the interim manager position at Brisbane Road up until Sunday.

And while admitting the O’s managerial situation is difficult to deal with, Baudry believes the players should ultimately be held responsible for the club’s lowly league position.

The 26-year-old added: “It’s not easy to be in the situation we are in because every little detail is going the wrong way for us at the moment.

“We are on the pitch so we have to make things happen. It’s not the manager who is going to come on the pitch and tell us.

“It’s not the best situation, but we are responsible for that.

“We need to keep working hard and digging in and hopefully we are going to turn it around.”

Coventry’s away record is identical to the O’s home record – no wins, two draws and five defeats.

And while the Frenchman admitted little was expected against highflying Preston North End in midweek, he feels there will be under more pressure tomorrow.

“Preston are a good team and are going to be up there,” remarked the Frenchman. “At the moment they are miles apart from us and we are going to have to battle to get out of the position at the moment.

“We are not going to pick up points against a team like that. Saturday’s game is going to be more important.”