Football Analyst

Mauro Milanese grew up with the F.A. Cup in his native Italy and is continuing to respect the competition taking his Leyton Orient side to play off chasers Oldham Athletic. Interviewed on Thursday after having his first full week with the squad, he is happy with the time spent with players and describes them as “nearly there”. “We have been working with and without the ball, looking to press the opposition higher and changing play from side to side”.

Milanese understands the importance of the cup but with a quarter final against Northampton in the JPT on Tuesday and two important league fixtures next, he has one eye on them but both remain important to the O’s boss. Orient may have a selection headache with Shaun Batt, Gianvito Plasmati and Jay Simpson all injury doubts for tomorrow clash whilst Romain Vincelot, Lloyd James, Kevin Lisbie and David Mooney all still on the sidelines. Recent signing Andrea Dossena is waiting on clearance before making his debut after signing till the end of the season on Thursday.

Oldham who have been making steady progress up the League 1 table suffered their first defeat in 14 matches against table toppers Bristol City last saturday. Player of the month Jonathon Forte will be looking to continue his fine form after netting 5 times in October. Forte is Oldham’s top scorer striking 11 times in 13 games for the Lactics with the 28 year old striker in the most prolific season of his career. After an unsettling 3 years at Southampton, Forte only made 11 starts for the South Coast club being shipped out on loan 4 times. But Forte seems to have found a home in Greater Manchester since signing in August netting two times on his debut; he hasn’t looked back since.

Orient have had recent success in the FA Cup reaching at least the third round in three of the last four seasons with them reaching the fifth round in 2010/2011 losing to Arsenal in a replay after drawing 1-1 at Brisbane Road. Orient last faced defeat in the first round in 2009/2010 when they lost to Tranmere in a replay. Oldham have failed to reach the second round 3 times in the last six years but last faced defeat in 2010/2011 to Acrrington 3-2. Since then the Lactics have reached at least the third round playing the likes of Everton and Liverpool.

Orient midfielder Dean Cox understands how much the FA Cup means and hopes to replicate recent form in the competition. Orient won earlier in the season at Boundary Park 3-1 but since then Oldham have been on a great run with Cox highlighting Forte as one to watch. Oldham boss Lee Johnson is looking for revenge as Orient are the only side to leave Boundary Park with all three points so far this season. “Orient have quality on the break but it hasn’t quite worked out for them this season”. Jabo Ibehre has been given permission to play against the club where he started his career but Adam Lockwood and George Elokobi miss out with Michael Tidser an injury concern.

Oldham have been going well in the league with Forte netting frequently whilst Orient have been stuttering along with their best performances coming on the road.

Prediction: 2-2 Forte and Ibehre for the Lactics with Cox and Wright netting for the O’s

Prior to Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Coventry, Orient manager Mauro Milanese highlighted the importance of stability. After Francesco Becchetti took over from Barry Hearn it led to 3 managers in 15 games with Slade, Nugent and Milanese all taking charge. Milanese understands that “it is already a difficult situation and we don’t want to change too much”, he added “we try to have stability and if no results come it is normal to change again”.

With relatively the same squad as last season together with the normal arrivals and departures, Orient’s form has led to a period of uncertainty on and off the pitch. Injuries and suspensions have played a major role with 23 different players named in the starting 11 in just 16 games; in comparison to 24 in the whole of 2013/2014 season. Alongside injuries, discipline has been an ever growing problem with the O’s already picking up 45 yellows and 4 reds in 21 games compared to 93 yellows and 2 reds in the whole of last season. Orient regulars Cuthbert, Baudry, Clarke, Omozusi, James, Vincelot, Cox, Mooney and Lisbie have all missed games due to injury only playing 1 match all together in the league.

Team selections and partnership was an integral part to a successful season with them running throughout the team with only the goalkeeping position becoming a problem. Defensively Orient have struggled for a settled back 4 with 5 different back 4’s being named already. The strongest defense of 13/14 played 29 out of 46 league matches together comprising of: Cuthbert, Baudry, Clarke and Omozusi with a record of W17 D8 L4 picking up 59 points. When one of these was absent Gary Sawyer covered in all but one with Moses Odubajo reverting to right back against Wolves to deal with Bakary Sako. Although they played over half the season together they conceded 26 in 27 but without them the record was 19 in 19 highlighting that no matter what the defence Orient would concede on average 1 goal a game compared to 1.4 goals per game this season.

The midfield quartet of Odubajo, Vincelot, James and Cox also played 29 matches together winning 17, drawing 7 and losing 5 accumulating 58 points. Losing Odubajo to Brentford in the summer disrupted the four but they have played 6 matches this term: W1 D3 L2. With both first choice central midfielders in James and Vincelot out injured, several players and loan signings have had to cover the area. When James and Vincelot played last year Orient picked up 72% of their 86 points – W18, D8, L6.

Kevin Lisbie and David Mooney have been injured since September playing only 2 times together this season compared to 25 last year – W17, D5, L3. In those 25 games, 54 out of  the 85 league goals were scored equivalent to 63% of total league goals; Lisbie and Mooney scored 31 of those goals. Orient scored 54 in 25 matches with Mooney and Lisbie and just 32 in 21 without them. Orient have played 7 players in the striking role this season only scoring 17 in 16 matches failing to score in 6 whist Orient scored in 42 out of 46 matches last term

Milanese has called for stability and when Orient had a stable defence, midfield and attack their records were very good last season. Putting all of these together the strongest 10 played 12 matches together winning 10 and drawing 2 but only 4 of those games were against teams that finished in the top half. 32 goals /37% of Orient total league goals were scored in those 12 matches. 37% of Orient points were accumulated with Orient’s strongest team – 32 points in 12 matches with and 54 points in 34 matches without all 10 playing. As previous mentioned how the O’s form dipped, these 10 players played 10 out of the first 12 matches then only 2 of their next 34 together.

Everybody knows that every season is different with players form dipping and runs ending but when Orient had a settled team point were accumulated steadily. Orient had a settled back 4, midfield 4 and front 2 but these season our strongest team is unknown to date. Milanese has not had all his players fit or available to date and won’t for many weeks to come but with improved performances in his first two matches, stability may be building. However if form and results do not improve the Italian owners have hinted that they are not afraid to make another managerial appointment.

Jim O’Brien struck twice including a 90th minute equalizer as Orient still seek their first home win since April 26th. O’Brien fired Coventry in front 10 minutes before half time after a mistake from Nathan Clarke; Orient leveled 9 minutes after the break as Scott Cuthbert rose highest from a corner to head home. Jay Simpson nodded the O’s ahead with 20 minutes remaining. The O’s look set for their first home win of the season until O’Brien fired home after Gary Woods failed to hold a cross.

Mauro Milanese made 2 changes as Nathan Clarke returned from injury and Josh Wright was given his first start in place of the suspended Shane Lowry and Bradley Pritchard. Italian striker Gianvito Plasmati continued in attack with his second start in a week. City boss Steven Pressley made 3 changes with new signings Gary Madine and Aaron Martin making the starting 11 in place of Josh McQuoid and Seb Hines with Jack Finch coming in for Connor Thomas.

Coventry were forced in to an early change with Reda Johnson being replaced by Andy Webster as the City skipper clashed with Plasmati. Orient started brightly passing around nicely but lacking penetration through a well organised Coventry defence. Both sides were finding it hard to create chances with a lot of the play in the midfield. Plasmati was putting himself about in attack looking to lay off the ball to Cox and Simpson as the ball was fed in to him. At times the flicks worked as Orient looked to build openings but at times he needed to bring the ball down to keep possession. In an uneventful opening half hour Mathieu Baudry kept the scores level after a latch ditch tackle on Madine where the former Wednesday striker was poised to shoot.

Orient’s first chance came as Plasmati linked up with Cox, the Italian striker laid off to the O’s winger but his fizzing shot went just wide. After Madine’s near miss, City began to gain confidence pushing further forward in search of the opener. Frank Nouble was unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after getting behind Scott Cuthbert with the O’s defender appearing to push over the former West Ham Striker but the referee saw otherwise. City did take the lead 10 minutes before the break after a long ball from Ryan Haynes. Nathan Clarke misjudged the ball, slipping allowing Gary Madine in the left channel, Madine looked up and fed the on rushing Jim O’Brien who slotted home.

Orient started to get a bit edgy with Marvin Bartley loosing possession to John Fleck but the City midfielder could not double their lead early in the second half. Scott Cuthbert equalised soon after from a Dean Cox corner, the defender rose highest at the back post to head home via the post. As the O’s leveled the game opened up for both sides as Coventry looked to play on the break with Orient having the majority of possession. For all the possession, Orient found it hard to create chances with a lack of creativity an ongoing problem this season.

Madine went close with a volley but Orient took the lead with 20 minutes left through Jay Simpson. From an Orient free kick, Dean Cox fed Mathieu Baudry in the left channel, with time and space he crossed to an unmarked Simpson who glanced home for his fifth goal of the season. Orient maintained composure after the goal keeping possession replacing Plasmati and Wright with Shaun Batt and Pritchard to add extra legs. Batt and Simpson looked to stretch the City defence in behind. Coventry pushed forward in search of a equalizer but were limited to long range efforts until the dying minutes. With 4 minutes added on City levelled. Ryan Haynes’s outswinging cross was fumbled by Gary Woods as he looked to gather. The loose ball fell to O’Brien who fired home beyond the Orient defenders to earn City their third point away from the Rioch.

Orient would be disappointed not gaining their first home win of the season after coming from behind to lead in the game but their are positives to take. It was far better than a lot of home games this season with Orient maintaining possession and showing fight which has at times been missing this season. However, for all the possession the lack of creativity from the midfield without Vincelot and James is a major problem. We only managed 4 shots at goal which for a home game is very low. Plasmati continues to improve holding the ball up looking to continue to develop his partnership with Jay Simpson. At times Plasmati needs to hold the ball rather than just laying off the ball, with games and fitness this will develop to keep Orient in the final third.

Mistakes have been a major problem throughout the season, with both goals for Coventry coming from mistakes it adds to the tally. Defensively last season we had a settled back four with Sawyer covering a left back if one of Omozusi, Clarke, Baudry, Cuthbert was injured. That back four played 29 of the 46 league matches last season but out of the 16 league match this season they have only played 4 with suspensions and injuries becoming a problem. In the 16 league matches 5 different back fours have been named, to improve Orient need a settled back four, with changes every week it does not help the team at the back.

After an unbelievable 8 wins out of 8 at the start of last season saw the O’s lead the way of League 1 until their form dropped towards the end of the season. After Preston joined a host of teams leaving Brisbane Road this season with all three points how have we done at home since the start of 13/14 season:

Played 30; Won 13; Drew 5; Lost 12; For 47; Against 34; Goal Difference 13 = 44 Points

But as pointed out before Orient’s form dipped after March, picking up just 19 points out of a possible 39 whilst Brentford 28 from 45 and Wolves 36 from 45. So here is August to March home statistics:

Played 16; Won 11; Drew 1; Lost 4; For 33; Against; 15 Goal Difference; 18 = 34 points from 48

Then here is the interesting point concerning our home form from March to Present.

Played 14; Won 3; Drew 3; Lost 8; For 15; Against 19; Goal Difference -4; = 12 points from 42

Orient have only won 3 times since the start of March with victories over Colchester (2-1), Gillingham (5-1) and Tranmere (2-0) with the O’s failing to win any home games in the 14/15 season. So what has been the difference? Well have teams found out how Orient play?change of system or formation? Well last season Orient scored a hat fulls of goals being the third high scorers in the division behind Rotherham and Wolves who both achieved promotion. Home form is important for any team and Orient gained only 2 few points at home than away last season.

Home: Played 23: Won 13: Drew 3: Lost 7: For 43: Against 23: Goal Diff 20: 42 Points

Away: Played 23: Won 12: Drew 8: Lost 3: For 42: Against 22: Goal Diff 20: 44 points

The facts back up how even Orient were at home and away throughout the season but how times have changed during this season. Orient have not won at home in all competitions only picking up 2 points from 21, while picking up 13 from 24 away from home. After such a successful season last year with Russell Slade and the players; there was a summer of change with Barry Hearn finally selling up. With players brought in with a higher pedigree, could this have had a negative impact on the dressing room, well according to the club NO. However if the rumours are true on the wages then some of the remaining players must be unhappy if their money has not been upped.

Injuries and departures has resulted in a loss of goals from the team with the likes of Lisbie, Mooney, James and Odubajo all missing. These players scored 48 out of the 86 goals Orient scored last season. At this present moment in time Orient sit 20th on 15 points after the same amount of games last year Orient had 38 points almost 2 and a half times more. The first 15 games statistics are below:

13/14 season: W12 D2 L1 F36 A10 GD 28 Points 38

14/15 season: W3 D6 L6 F15 A20 GD -5 Points 15

Orient scored 21 more goals at the start of last season over this season with Lisbie (10), Mooney (11), Cox (5), Batt (4) and Odubajo (3) all contributing.  However this season is a much different story with Darius Henderson top scoring with 5 goals and the next highest joint with Jobi McAnuff, Romain Vincelot and Jay Simpson all on 2 goals in the league.

It took until the ninth game last season for Orient to drop any points and the thirteenth game until their first defeat but an opening day defeat to Chesterfield saw to that this season. The most damming fact is the win column with Orient achieving a quarter of the amount of wins this season over last season with a team that wants to be pushing on this is not good enough.

Home form has become a problem since the start of March but looking more in detail at the lack of goals averaging 1 goal a game rather than 2 and a half. With all the behind the season antics at the start of the season it was always going to be tough, but Orient need to respond on the pitch with results sooner rather than later.

A goal in each half continued Preston’s charge up the League 1 table. Callum Robinson put North End on their way after 19 minutes with Paul Huntingdon sealing the Lancashire club’s eighth win in a row in all competitions.  Orient, who on Sunday named that Mauro Milanese had taken over the managerial duties are still looking for their first home win, picking up just 2 points out of possible 18 at home this season.

The Italian sporting director named recent signing Gianvito Plasmati in the starting 11 after the Italian received international clearance, replacing the suspended Darius Henderson. Dean Cox and Bradley Pritchard replaced the injuried Nathan Clarke and Chris Dagnall. Preston, off the back of their 3-2 comeback win against Fleetwood, made three changes with Scott Laird, Kyle Reid and Alan Browne being replaced by Scott Wiseman, Chris Humphrey and John Welsh. Joe Garner continued in attack after his 19 minute hat trick on Saturday partnered by Paul Gallagher.

North End were in fine form after winning their last 7 games, started off the better. Both Humphrey and Callum Robinson exploited the space allowed to them by Orient but were both unable to give them the lead. Robinson did open the deadlock after 19 minutes and had his fellow winger to thank. Garner played Humphrey in down the right flank with the former Motherwell midfielder crossing from the byline to Robinson who tapped home inside the 6 yard box.

Orient were struggling to keep possession in a very narrow midfield, Plasmati was finding it difficult not helped by his lack of match fitness. But Orient could have had an instant response after falling behind through Jay Simpson. Dean Cox won the ball in his own half and played a through ball to Simpson who evaded the offside trap. However after netting 4 in his last 5 matches, he couldn’t add to his tally with former O’s keeper Jamie Jones saving his effort. Simpson went close 2 minutes later after striking a loose ball towards goal after a corner but Buchanan cleared off the line.

Humphrey continued to cause Orient problems linking up well with Gallagher but Garner could only head straight at Gary Woods. Simpson looked the brightest outlet in an Orient shirt and grew as the half went on. Orient could have leveled 5 minutes before the break but Jones pulled off a fine double save to keep Preston’s lead in tact. Jobi McAnuff had beaten Wiseman down the left, pulling back to Simpson who had his shot blocked with the rebound falling to Plasmati but his effort was also saved by Jones.

Milanese swapped around the back four at half time with Omuzusi switching from right to left back, Scott Cuthbert moving to right back with Shane Lowry partnering Mathieu Baudry at center back. Plasmati grew slightly in the game but his poor first touch was a problem. Josh Wright who was making his second debut after signing on loan from Milwall earlier in the day was introduced and looked to pass the ball around. Preston introduced Kevin Davies to replace Paul Gallagher to add some physical prowess with Davies poking narrowly wide on 68 minutes. Orient didn’t heed the warning and Preston wrapped up victory with 15 minutes remaining. From a free kick Paul Huntingdon tapped home Tom Clarke’s header to seal the win for North End.

The win leaves Preston 2nd on 31 points, 2 behind league leaders Bristol City but they do have a game in hand. North End now have a 5 point cushion over the play off pack who all have 26 points and play Rochdale away on Saturday looking to make it 9 out of 9. Orient sit 20th on 15 points just one off of the relegation places, picking up just 5 points out of a possible 21 since Russell Slade’s departure in October. It is troubling times for Orient with injuries and suspensions a problem, Orient need results quickly.

With no new manager in the vicinity, how long can the vacant managerial position be left open for? Surely if they had a man in the pipeline he would have been appointed by now. Poor home form is one factor and with another game at Brisbane Road on Saurday against Coventry; points need to come soon. Plasmati debuted, lacking match fitness which is obvious having not played for a club in 6 months. With a strike rate of 1 in just shy of 5 games he is not the most prolific of striker with his best season stats of 12 goals in 31 appearances in 2005/2006. Time will tell on the new signing but at this moment in time Orient need results. Jay Simpson took time to settle and hopefully Plasmati will too but at the moment the jury is out.

Leyton Orient moved outside of the relegation places with a home draw against promotion chasers MK Dons. The Dons who had won 3 away already this season struggled to breakdown last season’s play off finalists, who had to play the last 2 minutes with 10 men after French center half Mathieu Baudry received two cautions in two minutes.

The O’s were coming off the back of rescuing a point away at Sheffield United last week thanks to Romain Vincelot’s stoppage time header, making two changes  Shaun Batt and Mathieu Baudry returning for Elliot Omozusi and the suspended Jobi McAnuff. MK Dons were looking to continue where they left off in their last game at Yeovil after not playing due to the International break last week. Karl Robinson made 3 changes to his side with Dean Bowditch, Mark Randall and Antony Kay replacing Will Grigg, Darren Potter and Tom Flanagan.

The Dons started well playing the ball around nicely with both Darren Powell and Dean Bowditch looking to make runs inside their full backs. They could have taken the lead on 21 minutes, Mark Randall took aim with a volley just outside the box which was parried by Gary Woods to Benik Afobe who was following up. But the Arsenal loanee saw his shot brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Woods. Both teams were struggling to breakdown the defenses but with the Dons having one of the hottest properties in their midfield they had to the quality to do so. Deli Alli who has been a shining light for the Dons with his performances which has alerted Premier League clubs especially with his role in their 4-0 Carling Cup win over Manchester United.

Orient began to press the Dons defense with Jay Simpson having a header deflected wide with the resulting corner seeing Shane Lowry having a 40 yard half volley brilliantly tipped round the post by David Martin. The home side should have taken the lead on 36 minutes, after a Dons corner the ball fell to on loan Wolves midfielder, Jack Price. The central midfielder played a through ball with the outside of his foot to Shaun Batt but the forward saw his one on one attempt easily saved by Martin. The game was predominantly being played in the midfield with both teams finding it hard to create space in the final third with Orient striker, Darius Henderson continuing to miss place passes much to the home crowd’s frustration.

All square at the break, both sides started the second half brightly with the game getting more stretched. The tempo and pace increased with Alli beginning to run the game for the Dons in midfield, his vision, touch and quality on the ball was easy to see in a game lacking quality throughout. Orient began to press higher to prevent the Dons playing out from the back but they were leaving space on the counter which is well known to have been a problem for Orient this season. Chris Dagnall replaced Shaun Batt looking to give the home side more energy in the final third in the remaining 30 minutes.

As the minutes ticked down both teams pushed for a winner with Simpson flashing a cross over but no one was able to connect and Kyle McFadzean saw a header flash over from a corner. For the second week in a row Orient could not finish the game with 11 men on the pitch after Mathieu Baudry saw red after picking up two yellow cards in two minutes. The first for persistent fouling after bringing down Afobe and the second for a foul on the same player with the Dons breaking from an Orient attack. The Dons piled men forward to try and nick a winner with Afobe looking for a penalty but only getting a yellow for his troubles, ultimately neither team could break the deadlock.

After all the turmoil in the beginning months of the season, Kevin Nugent announced after the match that he has been made interim manager which may not be favorable with all the fans but he knows the club and players. With the lack of communication from owner, director and the club, it is no wonder why they have not been able to appoint another manager. The club needs some consistency on and off the pitch and with two draws away at Sheffield United and home to MK Dons the tide may just be turning. But be under no illusion that without Lloyd James and Dean Cox, the O’s lack a threat going forward. With Baudry and Clarke now suspended for the game at Doncaster on Tuesday, the O’s squad will get tested to the limit. Shane Lowry had another solid performance with a MOTM display but with another defensive re-shuffle he will be shifted positions on Tuesday. We shall see how Nugent fairs in the next couple of weeks but with tough tests away at Doncaster and Port Vale, home to Coventry and Preston; Orient need to pick up form quickly.

The Dons on the other hand remain in the play off places but consistency is a problem for Robinson’s men. With creative players in the team the Dons will be in the play off mix come the end of the season but they will need to be more clinical with their territorial advantage in the following weeks. And with Deli Alli playing well he will keep higher league clubs watching.