Orient welcome league leaders Wrexham to Brisbane Road on Saturday in what is arguably the biggest match of the National League season so far.
Last time out
Justin Edinburgh’s change of system paid dividends once again on Tuesday night, as despite a late scare the O’s ran out 3-2 winners away at Barrow.
Sam Ling opened the scoring, although his first goal for the club had a stroke of luck about it. His over-hit cross ended up sailing over the head of Joel Dixon in the Barrow goal to give Orient an early lead.
Some would argue Ling deserved that slice of luck after a difficult couple of months since his return from injury and hopefully that goal can restore some confidence for the young full back.
It was also pleasing to see Jay Simpson back on the score sheet for the first time since his return to E10. The former Arsenal man scored after rounding the keeper to give the O’s a two goal lead.
Whilst Jordan Maguire-Drew continues to be the main beneficiary of the formation change, after he scored his second goal in as many games to put Orient three up and cap off another fine individual display.
The fact that Barrow almost snatched a point with a late comeback is a slight cause for concern, but the most important thing was that Orient didn’t end up dropping points.
A collapse of that magnitude at this time of the season could have been hugely detrimental to the confidence of the side.
Predicted lineup
Brill
Ekpiteta Coulson Happe
Ling Clay McAnuff Widdowson
Maguire-Drew
Bonne Simpson
As previously mentioned in the preview for the Barrow game, Justin Edinburgh isn’t the type of manager to change a winning team. And despite this being the third game of a tough week I’m predicting the side to remain unchanged for the third successive match.
Whether this is wise with a 37 year old Jobi McAnuff having already played the full 90 minutes of both games this week in a stamina sapping central midfield role remains to be seen.
However, it is imperative that against arguably their biggest rivals for the National League title they name the strongest side they possibly can.
The extent of the injury Dan Happe picked up on Tuesday will also be crucial to the Orient manager’s selection choices.
Hopefully it isn’t too serious and the centre back is fit to start, otherwise Jamie Turley might be called upon or Edinburgh could revert back to the tried and tested 4-4-2.
The biggest bit of team news could come on the bench; with Josh Koroma all set to give the O’s a timely boost as he’s expected to make his return from a hamstring injury this weekend.
Koroma has provided a spark for Orient throughout the season with his ability to create something out of nothing and the prospect of him linking up with McAnuff, Bonne, Simpson and Maguire-Drew is a tantalising one.
View on the opposition
Wrexham’s recent history is a stark reminder to the O’s of how tough getting out of the National League can be.
Despite numerous managers, loyal support and a significant budget, the Dragons have remained in English football’s fifth tier since their 87 year stay in the Football League came to an end in 2008.
However, this season is beginning to look like their best chance of promotion since 2013, when they lost out to a certain Justin Edinburgh’s Newport County in a Wembley playoff final.
Current manager Bryan Hughes is the third man to take up the hot seat at the Racecourse Ground this season. Their season started with Sam Ricketts in charge before he controversially jumped ship to join League One Shrewsbury in December and his replacement Graham Barrow resigned last month after a short but underwhelming spell in charge.
Hughes is an inexperienced manager with his only previous managerial experience coming in the Northern Counties Premier Division, where he managed Scarborough Athletic for just over a year.
Despite his lack of experience, the former Birmingham midfielder has started extremely well in North Wales picking up 13 out of a possible 15 points so far, although sceptics of Hughes could point to his choice in assistant as the reason for this excellent start.
Club legend Bryan Flynn returned to Wrexham in February as Hughes’ assistant. The 63 year old previously managed the club between 1989 and 2001 and provided a number of memorable moments during his 12 year spell at the club, including the famous F.A Cup victory over Arsenal and guiding them to the Second Division.
The O’s will be out to spoil the current feel good factor at the Racecourse Ground though and are seeking a third win of the season over Wrexham.
The sides last met in January’s F.A Trophy tie, where a Matt Harrold penalty secured a 1-0 victory for Orient. Their last league meeting came back in November, the O’s triumphed 2-0 that day with Macauley Bonne and James Brophy amongst the goals.
Jermaine McGlashan will be hoping to make his Wrexham debut on Saturday. The pacy winger signed on loan from Swindon on Thursday and his speed could cause problems for Orient. The former Southend man has spent the last nine seasons playing in the Football League.
Wrexham possess a phenomenal defensive record this season. The Welsh side are the only team in the National League to have conceded fewer goals than Orient and this is in no small part down to goalkeeper Rob Lainton.
The former Bury man kept a club record equalling 19th clean sheet of the season against Chesterfield on Saturday and he’ll be hoping to gain the record outright with a shutout against the O’s this weekend.
Despite their excellent defensive statistics the Dragons find it slightly more difficult at the other end of the pitch and are the lowest scorers of the top seven in the National League. However, an attacking player to watch out for is exciting forward Ben Tollit.
Tolitt was highly rated at Tranmere last year but has found himself on loan at Wrexham after an unfortunate run of injuries left him struggling for game time at Prenton Park. This could be one of his final matches for the Dragons, as he’s scheduled to return to his parent club on March 16th.
Who are the rest playing?
In the leagues other top of the table clash, Salford are at home to Solihull Moors. Graham Alexander’s side look to have regained their form this week, gaining impressive wins over Ebbsfleet and Sutton. The Moors also look to have hit their stride after they smashed struggling Maidstone 5-0 live on BT Sport last weekend.
Fylde will be looking to extend their run of three successive wins, away at Boreham Wood and they should be able to call on talisman Danny Rowe from the start this weekend after he made his return from injury off the bench last Saturday.
Elsewhere, Harrogate travel to the league’s basement side Braintree and 7th place Gateshead are at home to Barnet.
LOFC 1881 