Leyton Orient defender Sean Clohessy is happy to return to Brisbane Road ahead of tomorrow’s League 2 clash with Wycombe Wanderers. The O’s lost their unbeaten record at Exeter whilst picking up a point away at Cambridge last weekend after falling behind.

Clohessy, speaking to leytonorient.com stated “obviously the result against Exeter was poor but Cambridge are a good team, they are going to be up there so a point away from home is good, we played well again and unlucky not to come away with a win but we move on”

Orient won their first 5 league fixtures but have since conceded first in their past 3 games in all competitions and are without a clean sheet on their travels. Clohessy was disappointed with his part in the Cambridge goal last week, “I am disappointed with the goal, I switched off for a little bit, I should have been in a better position to start off with but apart from that have been pleased with my performances this year”

The return home sees Orient defending their record of not conceding a goal at Brisbane Road this season but Orient’s no 2 understands his side is still getting to know each other. Speaking in an interview today, Clohessy stated “we have only been together since the start of the season, we know each other and with more and more games we will be reading each other more. Our home record, we haven’t conceded but to be fair I don’t think we are giving teams many chances”

Alongside Clohessy and ever present since Hendon’s appointment in the summer has been summer signing Connor Essam. The former Dover man has settled right at home in E10, looking at home at a higher level. In an interview with the eastlondonadvertiser this week, Essam revealed that he has to thank “the gaffer for putting faith in me, giving me a run of games, I am still getting better and with more matches I will continue to improve”.

Essam who has build a solid partnership in a settled back 5, playing 6 out of the 7 league games, jumped at the chance to join Orient in the summer. Essam stated “when the opportunity came I just grabbed it because I believe in my ability, I am young with still a lot to learn and I think I am in a good place to do that”. The commanding center half has played every minute of the campaign so far and ended with “I though Orient was the best place for me to learn and improve, it has been a great move so I am very happy”

O’s boss Ian Hendon was happy with how his side responded at Cambridge, “I fully expected them to come back and they did, in the end we should have come away winning the game, we are disappointed not to get 3 points but happy with the character going a goal down and coming back”.

Hendon revealed to leytonorient.com that his side are looking forward to tomorrow’s clash and how they are happy to be back at home. Orient were backed by over 1700 away fans last weekend with Hendon revealing that “it was incredible really, it has been a little like playing at home but the boys are really looking forward to back at home”.

The O’s boss understands the danger that Wycombe pose tomorrow with the Chairboys unbeaten so far on their travel this season and keeping a clean sheet in all 3 away league matches. “They only lost twice on the road last year and made the play off final. They started very well, we know what Gareth’s team are about, working hard, tough, plenty of energy, a bit like us; it should be a good contest”

Wycombe lost their unbeaten start to the league campaign last weekend, suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth. Boss Gareth Ainsworth was disappointed in the manner of his sides defending “set plays is something that we pride ourselves in, if you defend set plays then you are asking for trouble”. Speaking to wycombewanderers.co.uk post match he stated “we gave them away really rather than them earning them”

Despite going so close to promotion last year, there has been no hangover from Ainsworth side who are looking to go one better this season. Even though the Chairboys lost Ainsworth revealed he though his side were better with the ball and in their general play but the goal eluded them.

With the season 8 games in, Ainsworth looked back at his sides start, “we can’t grumble 6,7,8 games played, it has been apparent we have good players and good quality in the team it just deserted us today”. The Chairboys manager added “look at the table, it’s pleasing, it’s a great start to the season for us”.

Ainsworth described tomorrow’s contest as “David v Goliath”  but stated his side are really looking forward to that. Despite the sides being in the same division Ainsworth highlighted that “sometime people have got to realise where this club is, and 4th we are very proud”.

Wycome midfielder Jason Banton netted his first for his new side last weekend after signing in the summer and is relishing the role he plays in his new side. Speaking to wycombewanderers.co.uk  the midfielder stated “the way the gaffer has got us set up, it allows the forwards and wide plays to press really well, winning the ball high up and create chances”. Banton understands that Brisbane Road is “going to be a tough place to go but we are going into every game thinking we can get 3 points no matter who we play”.

Team News

Orient midfielder Dean Cox only was a named substitute last weekend at Cambridge and Hendon revealed that “Coxy missed with a little bit of fatigue, there a couple like like, we have had the same team and same squad ever week”. Dean Cox is doubt alongside Blair Turgott who has not trained all week.

Wycombe will be hoping to include Paul Hayes in their squad after the striker missed last weekend’s defeat to Plymouth with an ongoing Achilles problem. Sam Wood is set to miss out despite improving with his knee problem while Anthony Stewart remains the only long term absence.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 4, Draw 0, Wycombe 11

Last Meeting – 06/03/12 – Wycombe 4-2 Leyton Orient

• Orient have lost the past two meetings including a 3-1 defeat in the last meeting between sides at Brisbane Road
• Prior to those losses, Orient did win the previous 3, 2-0 (2010), 1-0 (2009) and 1-0 (2006)

Final thoughts from Clohessy “we haven’t converted chances that have been created but don’t think we have nullified team well enough. Both ends of the pitch we need to shapren up”.

Prediction – Leyton Orient 3-1 Wycombe Wanderers

With Orient’s return to Brisbane Road, I feel their 100% record will continue, Wycombe will provide a stern test with their high pressing and high energy. With Orient looking to return to winning ways, I think Hendon side will have more quality to overcome the Chairboys.

East London Advertiser article http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/leyton-orient/hendon_s_ever_present_happy_to_prove_doubters_wrong_1_4237458