Orient boss Mauro Milanese takes his side into their relegation scrap with Crewe Alexandra on Saturday wanting more defensive stability. Milanese hinted before the O’s defeat to Gillingham last week about defending and attacking as a team but after conceding all three goals from set pieces, he wants more. Last week’s defeat saw the east London club drop into the relegation zone after a poor start to the season.

Crewe sit below the O’s in 23rd position but have picked up with 11 points in their last 10 matches after picking up just 4 points in their first 7. Alex manager Steve Davis wants “the performances to continue and the results will come, if we keep going, doing what we are doing, we are not a million miles away”. Davis is disappointed that his side haven’t picked up more points in recent matches but “with good spirit and confidence in the group, we look forward to every match”. Crewe have picked up 10 out of their 15 points at home picking up just 5 away. Their solitary away win came at Walsall, the key for Alex is start well and score the first goal. 14 out of their 15 points have come when scoring first, winning all 4 of their matches but have lost all 8 where they have conceded first.

Milanese slammed his players for giving away three goals from set pieces at Gillingham but the more pressing issue is 6 out of last 11 goals conceded have come from set pieces. Mauro mentioned the shocking nature of the goals with “the situation now a lot different, we need to be tighter, you can watch the man and not the ball”. Orient picked up their first home win of the season against Northampton last time out but are still seeking a first victory in the league. “It is a massive game at home but we are alive, there is belief in the group and we are creating more chances”. Headed goals have been major contributor to the 30 Orient have scored in all competitions with 12 coming from the head. But defensive frailties have caused problems, 4 out of Crewe’s 13 goals have been from set pieces which could cause the O’s trouble.

Orient have an injury headache again even after welcoming back Gianvito Plasmati, David Mooney and Romain Vincelot from injury last week with Jay Simpson and Shane Lowry being added to the injured list. James, Lisbie remain sidelined but Jack Price could be back in the fold for the home side after returning to Orient from Wolves. Crewe have no injury worries Marcus Haber is a doubt but everybody else came through their game on Tuesday where they lost away at Sheffield United.

Orient to register their first home league win of the season but not after a shaky start, 2-1 to the home side.