Football Analyst

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

Leyton Orient head coach Steve Davis is hoping his side can overcome their plastic pitch demons as they travel to Bromley tomorrow night. The O’s lost 2-0 to Sutton on the opening day on a 3G pitch with the former Crewe manager keen for his side to perform in Kent.

The O’s picked up their second victory of the season after a tough fought 2-0 win over Maidstone on Saturday. David Mooney netted his second of the season while Romauld Boco slid home his first for the club as it moved Orient up to fourth in the table.

Davis highlighted that his side had to be patient in order to breakdown a resolute Maidstone outfit but was happy with the final outcome. Speaking to leytonoriet.com post match “we are absolutely delighted, especially winning at home, we have to got to win our home games, we can build some momentum here which can take a little bit of pressure of off the away games. We want to win every game, they are all important to us”.

Orient named the same starting 11 for the third consecutive game on Saturday but Davis was quick to acknowledge that changes may need to be made ahead of the trip to Kent, “one or two looked a bit jaded today, the energy levels weren’t what they were Tuesday night so we might need to freshen it up in certain areas”.

Club captain Mooney has netted in his first two games back at Brisbane Road after returning to the club in the summer and is loving his time in E10. Speaking to the East London Advertiser “it feels great, I have felt good ever since I have come back, I am happy to get the goals but the most important thing is the team is winning”.

• Last Orient player to score in three consecutive league games was Liam Kelly August and September 2016
• Last Orient striker to score in three consecutive league games was Jay Simpson in November and December 2015

Orient had to wait an hour till the break through but Mooney revealed that Davis was keen for his side to patient, chances will come, “they came with a game plan to stock up the midfield area, we couldn’t get through the gaps like we like to. We knew if we keep probing , eventually we would get one or two chances and we managed to take them”.

With over 14 arrivals including Mooney into the club this summer , the squad has settled down nicely to life in East London. Orient’s number ten was part of the crop that made it so close in 2013/2014 but revealed this year “is probably up there with one of the best dressing rooms I have been involved in. We have great banter every day, there is great team spirit; the manager and Ross has instilled that from day one”. He added “We do things outside of football and it is a bit camaraderie  which the club has need to drive it forward”.

• Orient have not kept back to back clean sheets since April 2016 (Mansfield 1-0, Yeovil 1-0)

As Orient head for the second match on 3G, Mooney stated that he doesn’t really like these pitches but “we only have two left, it will be tough against Bromley but if we can get in front it will be a little bit easier because chasing a game on astro isn’t easy”. The O’s fell behind to Sutton within the first 20 minutes on the opening day but Mooney is hoping “that we go there and be compact early on and seeing how the game progresses”.

• Orient have conceded two or more goals in their last seven away games and nine of their last 10 on their travels
• Last win away came 04/03/17 – 4-0 vs Newport County

Head Coach Davis highlighted that after back to back wins, he is hoping the form can be taken on the road. Speaking to East London Advertiser “we want to win every game, it won’t always happen but we will set out to win away as much as we do at home”. He added “our first two away games have been on astro so we have to play on them like everybody else, we are not complaining. We have just got to go there perform well and get the three points; that is all we are focusing on”

• The last time Orient won three consecutive games was back in August 2015

Orient hosts tomorrow night Bromley are one of eight unbeaten National League sides after the opening three games. The Ravens have drew two and won one of their opening fixtures, coming into tomorrow’s clash off of a 0-0 draw away at Macclesfield on Saturday. Their only victory of the season came away in a 2-1 victory at Dover Athletic with Louis Dennis and Josh Rees giving them their first three points of the season.

• Bromley are unbeaten in their last five league fixtures – W2  D3
• Have only lost one of their last nine league games (W5 D3 L1), defeat came in a 2-1 loss to Eastleigh, 17/04/17

Bromley finished 10th in the National Conference last season and will hoping to build on it as they start their third campaign at this level. The Ravens achieved promotion back in 2014/2015 as they won the Conference South and have progressed in the past two season in the National League.

• Last Season – P46  W18  D8  L20  F59  A66
• Home form – P23  W11  D3  L9  F33  A37
• Only Solihull (38), Maidstone (39), North Ferriby (40) and Southport (41) conceded more goals at home than Bromley last season

Following his sides 0-0 draw with Macclesfield, manager Neil Smith spoke to the National League Paper stating, “I’m disappointed in the way we played but I’m delighted with the point we did gain”. Smith’s side are one of the four National League sides to concede just one goal so far this season with the Bromley manager praising his defence on Saturday, “they put us under some real serious pressure today and I thought out back four did really well”.

• Bromley have kept three clean sheets in their last four games
• Only conceded once in their last 400 minutes of League football

With his side hosting one of the so called pre season favourites tomorrow, Smith admitted that he would have taken his sides start at the beginning of the season. Speaking to kentishfootball.co.uk “the players all want to do better, there’s times when we could have scored but if someone would have said that you would be unbeaten going into the fourth game, I would have taken that”.

Despite his side being unbeaten, Bromley have only found the net in one of those games but Smith isn’t worried by his goal shy squad, “if we weren’t creating chances then I’ll worry, the fact we’ve been keeping them down to a minimum means we can build from the back. We know we can do better up front, I have no doubt that it will click very soon”.

With Orient and Hartlepool visiting Hayes Lane this week, Smith is keen for his side to stand up to the occasion and not become overawed, “We’re in together, they’re in the same league as us, it’s not a cup game we must make sure we don’t get overawed. We need to stick to our game plan and hope it pays off”.

• Bromley are unbeaten in their last five league games at Hayes Lane
• Their last defeat came against Chester 1-0, 25/03/17

As expected there should be a large gate at Hayes Lane tomorrow with the visit of Orient with Smith stating “we are absolutely delighted a team like Orient are coming down, we know it’s going to be difficult but we know there is going to be a big crowd and we are keen to put on a good show”. He added “we are not there to make the numbers up for Orient, it’s not about them; for me it’s about us”

Smith who has been first team manager since 2016 is hoping that his side can perform for the home crowd “they have been brilliant, we want to give everything and want them going away saying that the players worked hard”. However he has not underestimated the task at hand tomorrow “to get a result against Orient will be absolutely dreamworld”.

Team News

Steve Davis has hinted at changes to his starting 11 with this fixture being the fourth game in 11 days. Jobi McAnuff and David Mooney were replaced during Saturday’s win over Maidstone with Romauld Boco and Josh Koroma pushing for a start at Hayes Lane tomorrow.

Bromley quintet David Gregory, Alan Dunne, George Porter, Frankie Sutherland and Ben Chorley will be looking to face their former employer.

Head to Head

The sides have only met once before back in the first round the FA Cup in 2011 where Orient beat Bromley 3-0, with now Bromley striker George Porter netting the second for Orient against the Ravens.

Prediction – Bromley 1-1 Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient head coach Steve Davis is hoping his side can build on their first victory of the season as they host Maidstone United tomorrow. Goals from Charlie Lee, David Mooney and George Elokobi sealed all three points at Brisbane Road on Tuesday against Solihull with Davis keen for his side to achieve maximum points once again.

• Tuesday’s win was only Orient’s second at home in 2017
• Orient have not won a Saturday 3pm home game since 10th December 2016 (1-0 vs Accrington)

Orient bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Sutton United on the opening day on Tuesday night, with Davis particularly pleased with his sides attacking prowess. Speaking to leytonorient.com post match , “the win feels great, we deserved it and played well. I pleased with the way we attacked, we created a lot of opportunities, hit the woodwork three times and missed some good opportunities too”.

The O’s first and third goals on Tuesday came from a set pieces which delighted Davis, “it is funny how you end up with goals that drop for you. That is what you work for, we have tried to do a little more on set plays, they will be important to us this season. We have got to be able to get goals from all over the pitch”.

• Orient are without a clean sheet in their last 15 league games
• Only kept one clean sheet in last 28 league games (4-0 vs Newport, 4th March)
• No home clean sheet in 2017, without one since 10/12/16 vs Accrington – 13 games

Defender George Elokobi praised the work that Davis has done on the training ground with the team. Speaking to East London Advertiser, “he is pointing us in the right direction, he is fantastic and has a way he wants us to play; we are slowly getting there”. However the former Colchester man knows that “if we have to battle, we will and at times we are going to need to”.

Elokobi praised the Orient fans after netting his first goal “it is great to hear the fans chanting your name, that as a player knows they appreciate what you are doing on the pitch”. With Orient squad having some great quality in it, Elokobi is key to point out “it will not always be the same starting 11 who play, I will give it my all behind the scenes, we have a good group and it is a squad game”.

Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Maidstone, Davis acknowledges that his side need to cement the win on Tuesday with another one, “I hope we can make it back to back wins, you want to try and build some momentum”. Speaking to east London Advertiser , “it is no good beating Solihull and then not following it up with something on Saturday, we will be doing our best to get three points,”

• Orient have not won back to back league games since August 2016 (3-0 vs Stevenage, 2-1 vs Grimsby)
• Orient have not won back to back home league games since April 2016 (3-2 vs Dagenham, 1-0 vs Mansfield)

With the Maidstone game being the third of seven in August, Davis is keen to note that he may rotate some of his squad, “we got a few knocks and had some tired legs after Tuesday. That is when the squad comes into play, it isn’t just the ones on the bench but the people who have missed out so far; they are all good enough to play in the team“

The former Crewe man highlighted that his side have learnt a lot about the physicality of the Vanarama National in the opening week, “there were a lot of professional fouls and things going on vs Solihull. We just hope the referee sees it all and make some fair and good decisions”

Maidstone travel to East London following a 2-0 away defeat to Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night. Luke Coulson and Danny Kedwell struck for Fleet while Maidstone had Stuart Lewis sent off in the dying minutes. The Stones drew their opening game of the season with Maidenhead; Joe Pigott grabbed the Stones goal.

• Maidstone have not lost back to back league games since January 2017 (2-0 Vs Solihull, 2-0 vs Aldershot)
• No win in their last six National League games
• Only lost two of their last nine away games – W4 D3 L2

The Stones finished 14th in their debut season in the National League last season after achieving back to back promotions in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Manager Jay Saunders has been at the club since 2011 and has overseen the Stones rise through the divisions.

• League Record 16/17 – P46 W16  D10  L20  F59  A75
• Away record 16/17 – P23  W8  D5  L10  F30  A36

After their defeat at Ebbsfleet, Saunders spoke to BBC Radio Kent, “key moments change games, our game plan was working and we had the better chances then we switched off”. Saunders praised his sides discipline when defending “they had good possession but our shape was right”.

Despite their first loss of the season Saunders was quick to pick his side up ahead of their visit to Orient tomorrow, “I have said to the boys, we have got to keep our heads up, we will play worse and get a result. It was tough to take because it looked even at times”.

With the hectic August fixtures, Saunders highlighted that they can be used as a positive for his team, “when you lose in this league, you have a game quick to get over the last one. If you put in a good performance and win, everything is forgotten”.

Saunders is relishing his sides first trip to Brisbane Road tomorrow, speaking to kentonline.co.uk “there is going to be a big crowd which is ideal for our boys. A lot of them haven’t played their before which is good and hopefully we can get a result”. He added “sometimes you expect to win games when you go to other teams, but when you go somewhere like Orient, you can look forward to it and maybe the players raise their game”.

The 38 year old was happy that Orient finally changed ownership in the summer, “I’m pleased, they are a big, old club, it is good they have found their feet”. The Stones manager thinks that the O’s will be in the hunt this season, “I think they will be up there, it will be difficult as they have got a completely new side. Once they get ahead of steam they’ll be touch to stop so maybe it’s a good time to go there”.

Team News

Orient head coach Steve Davis hinted at rotating his squad ahead of the visit of Maidstone. First team captain Charlie Lee was substituted in the second half after taking a heavy challenge so could be a doubt. Craig Clay and Josh Koroma will be pushing for starts after coming off the bench in the last two games.

Maidstone will be without suspended Stuart Lewis who begins his three match ban after his red card on Tueday. Alex Finney is doubt after coming off with an injury with Magnus Okuonghae coming in for the on loan QPR defender. Jamar Loza and Johan ter Horst are definitely out with injury.

Prediction

Leyton Orient 2-1 Maidstone United

An opening day defeat at Sutton United wasn’t exactly in the script was it? The O’s travelled to Gander Green Lane as they began their new era under new ownership. Fans were full of expectation and relief that the Orient was finally back in the hands of footballing people.

The truth it was going to be a tough task with a squad built in a matter of weeks with over 15 arrivals into Brisbane Road. Head Coach Steve Davis was clear to point out that his side were short of fitness and work with it coming true as they fell 2-0 in the opening fixture.

Sutton who finished mid table in the Vanarama Conference last season were going to be a tough opponent. Manager Paul Doswell naming several experienced former football league players in his XI: Nicky Bailey, Craig Eastmond and Jamie Collins.

Orient’s 11 included Jobi McAnuff and David Mooney who made their second debuts for the O’s while Macauley Bonne started in attack. New first team captain Charlie Lee overcame a knee injury to partner Alex Lawless in central midfield. Only Charlie Grainger in goal played for the O’s last season.

It was a cagey affair in the opening period with neither side troubling the opposing keeper. However it was the hosts who drew first blood when a ball behind the Orient back line found Craig Dundas. The U’s midfielder beat Joe Widdowson to the ball who slipped, in the process tripping Dundas; leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Jamie Collins stroked home to put Sutton ahead.

Orient were enjoying periods of possession but struggling to penetrate the Sutton defence. Paul Doswell’s side were using their National League knowledge, harassing Orient in possession. It was clear from the first half that Sutton were quicker, stronger and fitter than Orient but that was no real surprise.

The second ball was being won by Sutton all over the pitch with Craig Eastmond and Nicky Bailey winning the battle in midfield. The O’s fell two behind just after the half hour mark when Dean Beckwith slid the ball home from a Ross Lafayette cross.

With Sutton ahead at the break, it was up to Davis’s Orient to break down Dowell’s men but again the away side struggled. Orient’s build up play was slow with the lack of match fitness showing over the pitch. James Dayton tested Butler in the Sutton goal with Orient first attempt on goal after 65 minutes.

Davis introduced Josh Koroma, Craig Clay and Romauld Boco looking to find a route back into the game but despite gaining more control struggled to create any clear cut chances. Sutton saw the last minutes of the game to see off a comfortable and well deserved victory.

A loss in our first game of a new season, Is there anything to worry about? Remember this squad has been assembled in very quick time with many players still learning and moulding their relationships and partnerships on the pitch. Just over a month ago we had only ten senior pros at the clubs so it is clear to see that we are behind other teams.

Davis has pulled no punches that we are two weeks behind other teams, it was clearly evident today. Quicker, faster, stronger, fitter words used to describe Sutton but it will be a wake up call that it will be a battle this season.

Davis’s stated in his post match interview that he was disappointed we didn’t play more as we found it hard to break down Sutton. The clear point to conclude is Orient will play a large percentage of games with the majority of possession so breaking down teams is something Orient will need to improve on.

It’s one game in but I thought the substitutions came too late today, I would have liked to have seen Craig Clay earlier with the O’s moving to a midfield three as we struggled to pick up the second ball throughout the match.

But in Davis we trust, the most important thing is we have our club back, there was a time just a couple of months ago we were not sure that we would have a club. We are in good hands so patience will be key, stability is essential but how good does it feel to have OUR ORIENT BACK….

Roll on Tuesday, when we make our competitive return to Brisbane Road. #ourclub

Leyton Orient striker Macauley Bonne can’t wait for tomorrow’s opening trip to Sutton United. The O’s open the new National League season in the lunchtime kick off at Gander Green Lane in front of the BT Sport cameras.

It has been a summer of change at Brisbane Road with a takeover from lifelong fan Nigel Travis and his consortium to lift the doom and gloom over Leyton.  Fan favourite Martin Ling returned as Director of football and former CEO Matt Porter re-joined the club as a Director which helped to boost the optimism at the O’s.

Starting the summer, Orient only had ten professionals remaining on contracts handing Ling and uphill task of player recruitment. With Ling’s contacts, the O’s quickly began bringing players into the club, hoping to finally add some stability in East London.

With basically a brand new squad, Bonne is clear to point out “we have created some real togetherness in a short space of time. There are no little groups, we are all together as one. We need to mould and learn about each other”. Leytonorient.com

Bonne has enjoyed working under Steve Davis along with the rest of his team mates “there is hunger in the team, everyone wants to go out and do well. There is no guarantee on the team, everyone is still fighting for a shirt. Every player wants to make themselves noticed”.

Head coach Steve Davis has only been at the club for a matter of weeks and understands that a quick start to the season is ideally what Orient would like but it doesn’t always happen like that. Speaking to the East London Advertiser yesterday, “you want to try and build momentum as quick as you can but it is not the end of the world if doesn’t go how we would like”.

With Davis’s appointment coming after the start of pre season, Davis is aware that “I still think we are a little behind, we have prepared as best we can and the character of the players will help to carry us through in certain games”

Orient ended pre season with a 5-1 defeat to an Arsenal U23 side on Tuesday with Davis opting for mixed teams in both halves to assess his squad ahead of tomorrow’s game. However the former Crewe boss knows his strongest side and “when we are at full strength I know we can compete with anyone”.

Orient’s August Fixtures

August is a busy month for National League sides and the O’s head coach understands that his squad will all play their part, “it is unlikely that the opening team for Sutton will end the month because of the amount of games we play”. He added “we will need everyone and will have to make changes, so it will depend on how the younger lads perform in those games but we are all excited about what is to come”. East London Advertiser

As optimism has built over the last month Bonne is raring to go Sutton, “scoring in the last two games has given me a boost and I can’t wait for Saturday”. Speaking earlier today to leytonorient.com Bonne knows that the despite the 4g pitch at Gander Green Lane, it is important that “we go there and get the three points, it is different to what we normally play on but we have to deal with it”.

After achieving a 16 year high on Season ticket sales with over 3600 holders (as of Friday 4th August) Bonne acknowledges the importance of the fans and the impact they can have on the team. “There was over 2000 fans at a pre-season game, you can’t knock that. Fans love this club and all I want to do is score goals for them”.

With Orient set to take well over 1000 fans tomorrow, the former Colchester frontman knows that “with the fans behind us for the first game it is a massive boost. If the fans are their for us then it gives you more motivation and you want to play well for them”.

Sutton United head into the start of their second season in the National League after gaining promotion back in 2015/2016 from the Conference South. Paul Doswell helped the U’s to a 12th place finish last term including a famous journey in the FA Cup which saw them lose 2-0 to Arsenal in the 5th Round at Gander Green Lane.

• Sutton had the fifth best home record in the conference last season
• Only Lincoln, Tranmere and Aldershot took more points at home than Sutton
• Sutton only lost one league fixture at home in 2017 (Forest Green)
• Home Record 2017 – P15 W7 D6 L2

The U’s have enjoyed four consecutive wins in pre season (1-0 vs Dartford, 5-2 vs Havant & Waterlooville, 3-2 vs Norwich XI) ending with a 2-1 victory over Chelmsford last Saturday.

After their exploits in the FA Cup last season, the summer saw Doswell lose two key men Roarie Deacon (Dundee) and Maxime Bimou (Coventry) however they have replaced with Moses Emmanuel and Ross Lafayette (Dover Athletic).

• Deacon was top scorer (league)  last season with 11 in 48 games while Biamou (all comps) 13 in 45
• Between them the pair scored 17 of their 61 league goals (28%)

Opening Day History

Orient have enjoyed the first day of the season in recent years with their last defeat back in 2014/2015 season.

• In fact Orient are unbeaten in the last four seasons in the first away league game of the season (16/17 – 1-1 vs Cheltenham, 15/16 – 3-1 vs Dagenham, 14/15 – 3-1 vs Oldham,  13/14 – 5-1 vs Carlisle)
• Orient last defeat in the opening away fixture of the season was back in 2012/2013 in a 3-1 defeat at Tranmere

Sutton on the other hand have failed to win their opening fixtures of a new campaign since a 4-0 win vs Margate back in 2009. The U’s lost their first fixture back in the National League last season.

• Sutton have faired slightly better in their first home league game of the season, beating Havant & Waterlooville 1-0 back in 2014.

Team News

Orient will be without recent signing Jamie Sendles-White who is still regaining match fitness after an injury picked up last season. First team captain Charlie Lee missed the last two pre season friendlies with a knee injury picked up in training and remains a doubt. Orient will be set to hand at least nine or 10 league debuts with keeper Charlie Grainger the only player to be named who played last season.

Probable team: Grainger, Caprice, Elokobi, Coulson, Widdowson, Lee, Clay, McAnuff, Boco, Mooney, Bonne

Sutton could hand debuts to central midfielders Kenny Davis and Simon Walton along with the trio from Dover, Moses Emmanuel, Ross Laffayette and Aswad Thomas. Josh Taylor could play against the side who had him on trial in July and who he scored two goals for at Harlow.

Prediction – Sutton United 1-2 Leyton Orient