Demetriou sad to see Ling go

Demetriou: Strong bond with Ling

Leyton Orient midfielder Jason Demetriou has expressed his sympathy for recently dismissed manager Martin Ling and has revealed his desire to link up with him again one day.

The 21-year-old was given his first taste of senior football by Ling, but he admitted to skysports.com that the news did not come as a great surprise.

"We all feel that we've let him down because it is always the manager who takes the blame for performances when it's the players who have to step up to the mark when they cross the white line," he said.

"I'm gutted that Martin lost his job and I do feel for him.

"It didn't come as a great surprise because when the times are bad at a football club the manager rarely gets a great amount of time to turn it around.

"We could see it coming round the corner, but were still shocked to hear the news because of the length of time that Martin was with the club."

Reunion

Demetriou has impressed this season, despite the club's struggles, and has been linked with a move to the Premier League, but the midfielder insists he is happy to stay at Brisbane Road.

"I'm very happy where I am at the moment and I love playing for this club, but if a new manager comes in and doesn't fancy picking me then I'll think about moving on because I don't want to be at a football club where I am not playing.

"Hopefully I'll be playing here under the new boss.

"I told Martin when he left that I would love to play for him again because he gave me my chance in football and I'd love to work with him again one day."