Andy Hessenthaler insists that Leyton Orient are looking forward to being back at home as they host Acrrington Stanley tomorrow afternoon. The O’s assistant boss spoke ahead of tomorrow’s league encounter stating that “we are looking forward to be back at home, Accrington are a decent side; it is not going to be an easy game”. 

Orient picked up their first win in four matches last weekend as they beat Morecambe 1-0 away from home. The O’s have struggled since the start of September for form ended a run of 10 games where they conceded first in 9 of them. Hessenthaler praised his side ahead of tomorrow, stating to leytonorient.com “the team is in good spirits everyday they come in and work hard. We ask them to do certain things and they do it. They are a pleasure to work with”.

Orient’s main problem has been drawing too many games but despite their inconsistent form, they sit just 6th, just 2 points from second placed Portsmouth. Hessenthaler highlighted his delight with recent performances away from home, “The last 2 games, go to Luton and look at the fixtures before the start of the season – a point, we would be delighted with that. Go to Morecambe and get 3, 4 points from last 6 available on travels – a good return for us”.

Orient midfielder Jack Payne netted his first goal for his new club in his sides victory over Morecambe but later admitted to leytonorient.com that “it was a tackle”. Payne has been in great form recently stated “1-0 away from home at a place like this is, is very good for us. We have been wanting a clean sheet for a while now so glad we have it and glad for the three points”.

• It was Orient’s first clean sheet since 29th August – a run of 11 games in all competitions – Only their fourth of the season

Payne hinted that Orient’s luck may finally have changed with his fortuitous goal last weekend and hinted that “it was nice to get that winning feeling again” Orient’s win pulled them closer into the chasing pack, Payne added “we stayed in the same place but the gaps have all gone now. Only a point from third now so right back up there again. Everyone has a blip, we have had ours so hopefully we can kick on now”.

Accrington travel to East London on the back of their first win in three league matches after beating Dagenham at home 3-1 last weened. Stanley have been somewhat of a surprise package in the division and sit level on points, just one place below tomorrow’s hosts, Orient. Manager John Coleman spoke after his side’s win over Dagenham to accringtonstanley.co.uk  stating that “he got the response he was looking for”.

Coleman revealed that “we had a lot of harsh words and their was an awful lot of talking this week by all parties. We embraced the players input as we like them to have their say. We told them where we think they can improve”. The words seemed to help on the pitch as Stanley grabbed a vital victory as they search for a play off spot. Coleman praised his sides first half performance “I though it was a terrific performance in first period, we were really out the traps quite quickly and surprised to score from two set plays but we kept the foot on the gas. We were desperate not to have three defeats on the bounce”.

Attacking midfielder Josh Windass revealed that his side were happy to bounce back from two defeats on the spin. Speaking to accringtonstanley.co.uk post match he stated “We had a few choice words between us all yesterday, talked about basically why we think we have lost the past two games and what is wrong. We sorted it all out and got the points”. Windass revealed that it is nice to be near the top of the league rather than the bottom, “since I have been here, not really been at the top end of league. It is a bit different but miles better in this position and hopefully we can keep in the play offs”.

Similarties have been made between the side that won the conference back in 2008 and this seasons group. Windass revealed what John Coleman’s words were in pre-season “since the 1st day of pre season, the manager said to us all if you don’t want to win the league, you can leave us now, hopefully we can recreate history”.

Coleman revealed earlier today about his relationship with Ian Hendon and highlighted that he knows the Orient manager really well. “It should be a great game, Orient play attractive football and know Ian Hendon very well”. Coleman added “they are a big club who expect to be in the playoffs or automatic places but people are starting to take notice of us now. Expect an open game, it will be really attractive and hopefully we will come out on the right side”.  Coleman ended with “as we have said all along, it’s teams who are consistent who will be up there at the end”.

Team News

Orient should have a fully fit squad ahead of the visit of Stanley tomorrow with Hessenhaler revealing that “the team is in good spirits. We will set ourselves up to try and win the game, I am sure Accrington will come and make it difficult for us so we are not going to underestimate them”.

Accrington will be without Adam Buxton and Gerrardo Bruna who are both missing through injury. However Coleman should be able to pick from Dean Winnard, Liam Wakefield and Tom Davies who have all overcome injuries to be fit for tomorrow.

Key Statistics –

• Accrington have won 2 of their last 3 away from home but lost to Plymouth 1-0 in last away match
• Stanley failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 6, keeping only 1 in last 8 matches
• Stanley 3rd in the form table for last 8 games – 15/24
• Orient 16th in form table for last 8 games – 10/24
• Josh Windass leading Stanley scorer with 7 goals – 6 of them at home
• Orient’s home record – P7 W4 D2 L1 – 14 points from 21 available
• Accrington away record – P7 W3 D2 L3 – 11 points from 21 available
• Stanley only scored 7 goals and conceded 4 away from home
• Stanley have picked up 22 of their 25 points when they have scored first – W7, D1, L1
• Orient picked up 21 of their 25 points when scored first – W7, L1
• 5 out of the 6 games Orient have conceded first, they have drawn
• Orient have scored at least once in every home game so far this season

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-1 Accrington