Let's talk about the Leyton Orient game

[selby]

  After steering his team to promotion and a  near promotion to the Championship Richie Wellens is now finding it a bit harder to hit the same heights up to press this season.
  In five home games they have only won one drawing two and losing two scoring and conceding seven goals in the process. On Saturday they were involved in what could have been the most entertaining game in the division losing out to third place Cardiff after leading late into the game 4-3, and in their last home game against top of the division Stevenage 2-3 so five goals in two games against very strong opposition says they are potent going forward and not that great at the back.
  What lies ahead for us with a soft underbelly and a misfiring front line remains to be seen, the one thing certain is that we are going to have to get back to somewhere near or best if to come away with anything from the game.
  How long O'Riordon is out for could be crucial as he is our stand out  central defender and provides us with some pace others don't have in their locker, my pick would be Pearson and Bailey as Bailey played outstandingly there at the end of last season, and his replacement in mid field is a better fit at this level to me than the central defenders available.
  Up front we know who the best four are  the three who started Saturday plus Middleton and the two full backs played well enough to keep the shirt, the keeper, well what would you do?
  Looking at the last two games of the Orient against two of the divisions better sides their attack look to have hit some form, top scprer Connelly in the top twenty scorers in the division and should be looking forward to the game at the weekend against us.
  So a lot to do, and hopefully we will have had a good result at Grimsby to bolster confidence, lots to discuss, lots of opinions, and hopefully a return to something like form, please have your say.

 
 

[Chris Black come back]

Amidst what is a generally terrible record in the capital, our record at Leyton Orient is very good. Last five away games there going back to 2008 has seen 3 wins, 1 draw and only 1 loss (admittedly the last time out in January 2023).

[deebee]

For those that cannot attend it will be shown on Sky+ TV on Saturday due to the international break.

[moses]

Any recommendations for a local pint prior to the game?

[colfromdonny]

Any recommendations for a local pint prior to the game?

Hi, best I've found in past is The Birkbeck on Langthorne Road E11 4HL  at back of Leyton tube station. Turn left as you come out and take first left back on yourself after about 50 yards.  Its where the Heinekin advert was filmed.

[steve@dcfd]

This would be my selection for Saturday against Orient if fit and available

                            TLT
Nixon.     ORiordan     Pearson.     Maxwell

                    Bailey.          Broadbent

                               Close

   Molyneux.           Sharp.            Gibson

The goalkeeper is up for debate but that would be my choice
The defence due to absentees is the best we can put out
Midfield I would have Bailey and Broadbent as a two we need to have a good base in midfield and those two can give us that.
Playing Close further forward he has the skills to create chances although he not Grants typical high press player but I believe he could do a good job there.
The front three is the best we have although you could use Middleton on the left or right so it’s 3 out of 4.

We will see tonight how we perform against Grimsby whoever Grant selects but the above is my selection.

[Padge_DRFC]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

[GazLaz]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

[scawsby steve]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

[Usher wide.]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

YOU ARE HAVING A LAUGH!

[GazLaz]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

You can contribute plenty as a striker without scoring. You don’t play regularly for Gareth Aimsworth if you are a mug.

[Usher wide.]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

You can contribute plenty as a striker without scoring. You don’t play regularly for Gareth Aimsworth if you are a mug.

Can’t remember you mentioning that about Joe Ironside in his second season with us.

[GazLaz]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

You can contribute plenty as a striker without scoring. You don’t play regularly for Gareth Aimsworth if you are a mug.

Can’t remember you mentioning that about Joe Ironside in his second season with us.

Because there wasn’t a great deal on offer.

Hanlan has played 195 minutes of league football and he’s been written off as the worst signing of the current regime. Too early to write him off. And that’s coming from a position of seeing him play a lot.

[Usher wide.]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

You can contribute plenty as a striker without scoring. You don’t play regularly for Gareth Aimsworth if you are a mug.

Can’t remember you mentioning that about Joe Ironside in his second season with us.

Because there wasn’t a great deal on offer.

Hanlan has played 195 minutes of league football and he’s been written off as the worst signing of the current regime. Too early to write him off. And that’s coming from a position of seeing him play a lot.

You don’t help his cause by stating you’ve seen him play a lot.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant cut his losses & got rid.

[GazLaz]

Gotts potentially bagging a spot tonight instead of Broadbent. Close playing where Broadbent does.

Gotts is a player. Has to start at the weekend. Close, Bailey and Gotts for me. Mols, Hanlan and Gibson.

Sharp has offered pretty much zero bar a couple of games. Give Hanlan 10 games to get going.

Get going to what? His goal return has been poor throughout his career.

Awful signing.

You can contribute plenty as a striker without scoring. You don’t play regularly for Gareth Aimsworth if you are a mug.

Can’t remember you mentioning that about Joe Ironside in his second season with us.

Because there wasn’t a great deal on offer.

Hanlan has played 195 minutes of league football and he’s been written off as the worst signing of the current regime. Too early to write him off. And that’s coming from a position of seeing him play a lot.

You don’t help his cause by stating you’ve seen him play a lot.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant cut his losses & got rid.

I’m not saying he’s Romario. Im saying he has the ability to be a functioning striker that can make a positive contribution to a team looking to cement itself in the top half of L1.

Who in their right mind would sign a player then make the decision “to get rid” after a little over two games worth of minutes?


You are drunk, get to bed.

[steve@dcfd]

 ;)Well Gaz if that’s the case we will have wait and see but I haven’t see anything from him so far. But if Grant is using him as a sub must play him upfront not Olusanya who is worst than him.

[Rovers91]

I'm another one that would give Hanlan a crack at the weekend and let him have a run of games. Billy isn't offering anything at minute as well and we are with these options until January at least so let him have a go now.

[Usher wide.]

I'm another one that would give Hanlan a crack at the weekend and let him have a run of games. Billy isn't offering anything at minute as well and we are with these options until January at least so let him have a go now.

Let Hanlan have ‘a crack’ at the weekend & a run of games?!! Are you a relative?

Billy leads the line better than any forward we have on the books, not to play him would be madness….no, suicidal would be a better word.

He missed a ‘sitter’ on Saturday. Play him on Saturday & he scores.

[selby]

  The team we played last night was a second division side made up with second teamers just out of their or other academies in the most part, and very few regular first team players.
  In Will Flint and Sam Brown we also had a couple of academy graduates who would sail into the Grimsby side, but who have a lot more experience in men's football throughout the team including those two who were a class above their respective opponents.
  It was a good win, all we could ask for, but I think will have little effect on the side and shape of the side our management will have in mind to play at the weekend apart from back up on the bench.

[drfchound]

It does show however, the depth and strength of our squad when we can make so many changes and still batter teams.
I was talking to a Middlesbrough fan at a tournament I played in at York on Monday and he couldn’t believe how good “Donny reserves” were in that cup game.

[selby]

  How did the tournament go Hound? are you still knocking them in and pressing for a start Saturday with Billy.

[drfchound]

We lost the final 1-0 to Harrogate but I scored my fair share in the group games and semi final.

[selby]

  Well done buddy, the football brain doesn't stop, just the body.

[drfcsteve]

I'm another one that would give Hanlan a crack at the weekend and let him have a run of games. Billy isn't offering anything at minute as well and we are with these options until January at least so let him have a go now.

Agreed. There’s a player in Hanlan somewhere (unlike Olusanya)

[graingrover]

I believe in Grant’s signing of Olusanya and was interested to hear him say he would be an important asset this season ..he did not say until January ..so have faith in Grant’s judgement against your own personal prejudices is my thought .

[Barmby Rover]

How about the game in hand? There is no doubt that Richie will be wanting to win this one, and with recent form so will Grant, it could turn out to be a really good game. I would hope we can turn Orient over, but I would take a draw now if it were offered!

[selby]

  We need to be on it whatever the make up of the team chosen. The win at Grimsby following the draw against Burton Albion has done the club the world of good, and the players can build confidence again;
  But, the league is the bread and butter competition we are finally judged on and we need to get something out of this game if our league form is not to start to become a problem.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Luton and Blackpool sniffing round Richie if rumours on Twitter are to be believed (not the most reliable source of information).

See if it has his head turned but I doubt it given his professionalism.

[ncRover]

Luton and Blackpool sniffing round Richie if rumours on Twitter are to be believed (not the most reliable source of information).

See if it has his head turned but I doubt it given his professionalism.

Heavy favourite for the Luton job. 1/2 and the next favourite is 4/1.

Orient’s recent results have been poor anyway. I think this will be easier than the Burton game for us as LO are an open attacking team.

[Alan Southstand]

I believe in Grant’s signing of Olusanya and was interested to hear him say he would be an important asset this season ..he did not say until January ..so have faith in Grant’s judgement against your own personal prejudices is my thought .

Not forgetting, of course, Houston are expecting him back with them. Thank goodness he’s not on a contract is all I can say. I havn’t seen anything yet that would make him an important asset.
Just a slight correction, Graing, it wasn’t GM that said it, it was Cliff.