Leyton Orient striker Matt Harrold wants his side to build on last weekend’s win at Northampton when Walsall visit on Saturday. The O’s picked up their first league win since August and Harrold is keen for another one against the Saddlers. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it was a good performance there’s lot to work on and lots to build on. We are looking forward to the next big one”.

• Sit 20th on 13 points
• One win in last three – W1  D1  L1
• Taken just six points from last 24 available in league – W1  D3  L4
• League Record  – P12  W3  D4  L5  F16  A21

The O’s fell to a 3-0 away defeat to AFC Wimbledon  in the leasing.com trophy in midweek. Goals from Joe Pigott, Michael Folivi and Callum Reilly saw Orient fall to defeat with Interim Head Coach Ross Embleton frustrated with his sides performance. Speaking to leytonorient.com “tonight we suffered a 3-0 defeat and we’re very disappointed with that. We have to look at the good and the bad. We were very good for 35 minutes after a ridiculous penalty to concede”.

Orient’s Last Six Results

Orient have had an ongoing problem with starting games slowly and that was in effect once more on Tuesday night. The O’s conceded at the start of both halves and Embleton was left disappointed that the problem arose again. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it was the start of two halves, we were naïve in how we went about it. We spoke about it at half time to start well in game and we had the opportunity to come out and create chances. We failed to meet standards and do the simple things well in the game”.

• Conceded 14/21 league goals in the first half games – joint most in league
• Conceded first goal in five of their last seven matches
• Conceded ten of their goals in opening 30 minutes of matches – the most in league

Striker Harrold made his first league start of the season at Northampton after impressing off the bench against Port Vale. The 35 year old set up James Brophy’s winner last week and is keen to continue contributing to the team. Speaking to O’s Show “in my time here I have been used more as an impact sub. It hasn’t been easy but I understand, football is like that and you have to be patient. It is an opportunity for me now and i just want to take it. There is nothing better than playing and winning”.

• Kept three league clean sheets – (two at home)
• One clean sheet in last nine league games
• One in last seven in all competitions
• Second worse defensive record in division
• Conceded two or more goals in six of their last seven games

Saturday’s clash with Walsall is a sell out after the “football for a fiver” initiative and Harrold is keen to put a performance on for the fans. The experience front man highlighted the effect the home fans can have on games, “they make such a difference when they get behind us. I realised in the second half against Port Vale how important they are when they get behind us. When they are backing us, it really does seem a lot easier to score, get points. They play a huge part”.

• Failed to score in two league games (one at home)
• Scored in 10 of their last 11 games
• Scored in last nine league games
• Scored in last five league games and six of their last seven at home
• Scored 11/16 league goals in second half

Orient are looking for their first home league win since opening day against Walsall and Harrold knows the importance of backing up last week’s away win.  The O’s haven’t won back to back league games since April with Harrold stating to O’s Show “it has probably been our downfall this season. We need to follow it up and put groups of runs together. We haven’t backed up good performances away from home. We need to be strong mentally, organised and really perform”.

• Home League Record – P6   W1  D2  L3  F8  A11
• No win in last three in all competitions – D1  L2
• One win in last six – W1  D2  L3
• Taken just two points from last 15 available in league
• Conceded most home goals in league

Team News

James Dayton returned from injury in midweek and should be included in the matchday squad on Saturday. Sam Ling and Marvin Ekpiteta are doubts with groin and hamstring injuries respectively. Matt Harrold look set to continue in attack after good performances in his last two games. Jobi McAnuff and Jamie Turley remain out.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 30, Draw 19, Walsall 22

Last Meeting – 28/02/2015 – Walsall 0-2 Leyton Orient

Last Seven Meetings Between Sides

• Orient are unbeaten in last eight meetings – W4  L4
• Have only lost one of the last 13 clashes – W6  D6  L1 
• Orient are unbeaten in last seven games at home – W3  D4
• Have only lost one of last 11 at Brisbane Road – W5  D5  L1
• No team has scored more than two goals in last 19 meetings

Last Time Out – 08/10/2019 – AFC Wimbledon 3-0 Leyton Orient

Starting 11 vs AFC Wimbledon

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-1 Walsall