Leyton Orient winger James Dayton is thoroughly enjoying his time in E10. The winger signed for the O’s just over a month ago and has played an instrumental part in his sides rise to third. Dayton’s second assist of season helped Orient to a 1-0 win at Maidenhead on bank holiday Monday.

• Orient sit 3rd on 13 points
• League Record – P7  W4  D1 L2  F10  A10

Dayton who achieved promotion from the National League two years ago with Cheltenham is loving his time at Orient. Speaking to leytonorient.com “I have loved every minute of it. From the first day I came in during pre-season to train it has felt great”. The 28 year old was one of 15 new signings for the club this summer and acknowledged the quality in the squad “the lads are a great bunch, we have top players and to play with them is nice. All about being in a happy environment. I’m playing football how it should be played“.

Dayton has been an ever present in the opening month of the season and insists that despite the heavy number of games “everyone loves playing football, you have to get on with it, you mentally prepare then the adrenaline helps to overcome the tiredness”. Orient four point haul over the bank holiday helped to secure Orient’s position to third in the table.

• have won two of their last three games – keeping two clean sheets

Despite dominating recent games, Dayton highlighted that he prefers the tighter games where his side have earned the points, “we have got to go away to these places and grind out results. I sometimes prefer the way we won on Monday to the 3-1 win Solihull. It shows that even if the team doesn’t lay well they can still grind out wins which highlights the strength of the squad”.

• 80% of Orient’s goals scored have been in the second half – 8/10
• Orient have scored five of their six home goals in the second half

Following his sides 1-0 victory at Maidenhead, head coach Steve Davis summed up the first month in charge as Orient boss. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it has been an unbelievable month, seven games in 23 days. We at pleased with the first month, there still is a lot to do and improve on but we are pleased with the outcome of points”.

Orient’s win on Monday was their first 1-0 away win since May 2016 which according to Davis “in the context of the season was a really important win”. After shipping six goals away to Bromley earlier in the season, the second consecutive away clean sheet pleased Davis immensely “the clean sheets have been good especially after the six, if you take away that game we have actually been excellent defensively. I’m hoping it is a one off, we learnt a lot from that game”.

• 60% of Orient goals were conceded at Bromley
• Orient have not achieved back to back clean sheets since May 2016
• Only conceded one goal in their last 272 minutes of football (penalty vs Eastleigh)

With Orient hosting Guiseley tomorrow, midfielder Craig Clay is hoping his side can continue their unbeaten start to the league at home. Speaking to the eastlondonadvertiser “if we can keep the momentum going here for as long as possible it will only help us going forward”. He added “I feel we have good game plans for our matches here so we are well equipped for what is to come”.

• Home record – P3  W2  D1  L0  F6  A2
• Orient have scored in their last five home matches and six of their last seven
• Orient last failed to score at home 01/04/17 in 2-0 loss to Wycombe

Assistant coach Ross Embleton was happy with the two sides that Orient showed last weekend, battling to the end at home to Eastleigh and grinding out a win at Maidenhead. Speaking to leytonorient.com “those assets are not what everyone picks out but are important in the group we have got. It has been really important to find players that have them in their game “.

• Orient will be looking to score for a sixth consecutive home match tomorrow
• Last time they achieve that was November 2015 and December 2015

After a positive opening month, Embleton is keen for the good feeling around the Orient to continue, “our preparation has been very energetic and high tempo. The good feeling is back around the place which gives us every chance to win. We know that we are not going t be fluent in ever game but with the feeling around the place it can help”.

• Orient have not scored in four consecutive league matches for over a year – last time was August/September 2016

With Orient finally grabbing their target man, Matt Harrold, Embleton revealed “we are over the moon. He was one everyone was really keen on for a while, he look fit and ready to play. It is now down to integrating him into the group but a player of his quality is always going to improve the squad and gives another option”.

• If Orient did not lose tomorrow, it will be the first time since November/December 2015  they have been unbeaten in four consecutive home games 

Under Steve Davis, the O’s fans have been treated to attacking, passing football. However, after Harrold’s arrival Embleton is keen that Orient integrate his strengths into their game. “he is effective, Steve wants us to play good football and be attractive to watch. I have learnt that he is attack minded with a real focus on winning games with style, it is important for us to stamp our authority while utilising his (Matt’s) strengths”.

• If Orient did not lose tomorrow, it will be the first time since November/December 2015  they have been picked up points in four consecutive games

Orient take on manager-less Guiseley with the former Swindon first team coach keen for his side not to be caught out. Speaking to leytonorient.com “sometimes when a manager changes the shackles come off with people playing with more freedom. How many times do you see a team on a bad run sack their manager and then their form turns around; we don’t want that to happen”. He added “we need to stamp our authority, tempo, tone and we be the aggressors”.

• There has been at least one goal in Orient’s last 42 league games  – last 0-0 vs Barnet 01/10/16

Guiseley arrive in E10 after back to back defeats to (Halifax 2-0 and Hartlepool 1-0) over the bank holiday weekend. The latest home defeat to Hartlepool culminated in the sacking of manager Adam Lockwood and his assistant Dave Penney on Wednesday evening.

• League Record – P7 W1 D2 L4  F5  A14
• Only Hartlepool and Halifax (4) have scored less than Guiseley
• Only bottom club Torquay have conceded more goals
• Only win of season came in 3-2 win over Torquay, 19/08/17

Lockwood kept the Lions up on the final day of last season thanks to a stoppage time equaliser against Solihull Moors. However after just one win from their opening seven games, the former Yeovil and Doncaster man was dismissed.

• Away Record – P3 W0 D0 L3 F0 A9
• Have not won in their last five away games – W0 D1  L4  F1  A12
• Have only won one of their last eight away games – W1 D1  L6
• Win came in a 1-0 vs Southport, 01/04/17

Guiseley are enjoying their third season in the National League after gaining promotion back in 2014/2015 after beating Chorley 3-2 in the National North Play off. The Lions have been treading water in the National League since their promotion narrowly avoiding relegation in both seasons.

• 60% of their goals scored have been in the final 15 minutes of games
• Are the only side in Nation League without an away goal
• Have not scored in four of our last five away games
• Have only scored in two of their seven games this season
• Only scored eight goals in their last 12 league matches

Following their escape last season, “ the board made no secret of their desire to avoid another battle against relegation”. Lockwood and Penney were given funds to strengthen the squad in the summer bringing in no less than 12 players but have been unable to achieve a positive impact. 

• Only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league games – 0-0 vs Tranmere (15/08/17)
• Only kept one clean sheet in their last eight away games – 1-0 vs Southport, (01/04/17)
• Only kept three clean sheets in their last 26 away games – conceding 45 goals
• 5/14 goals conceded have been between minutes 31-45

Lockwood’s departing words to Yorkshire evening post  after the Hartlepool defeat “obviously it is disappointing to lose, we had chances early and late on but we have called on the lads to be more ruthless and we just didn’t do that today”. He added “we know that every game in this league is tough and we have given every player a chance now. They need to be making it impossible for me not to pick them, that isn’t the case right now”.

• Only North Ferriby (15) scored less away goals 
• Only scored 18 goals in their last 26 away games – failing to score in 13 of them

Team News

Leyton Orient could name an unchanged side following their 1-0 win at Maidenhead on Monday. Jobi McAnuff and David Mooney will be looking to return tomorrow after dropping to the bench on Monday. New signing Matt Harrold could be involved after his move to Orient on Thursday. First team captain Charlie Lee remains out long term with a knee injury

Prediction

Leyton Orient 3-0 Guiseley