Tonight, we play our re-arranged game against Leyton Orient, after the match was postponed due to the high numbers of Coronavirus cases in the Orient playing staff. It is at the slightly earlier time of 7pm, not 7.45pm, so please make sure you don’t miss the start! Let’s take a look at the visitors, and why they have the name of Late-On.
Season So Far
Orient have had an eventful start to the 20/21 season, full of highs and lows. Their season started by progressing in the Carabao Cup after beating Forest Green Rovers, and beating Brighton’s academy in the EFL Trophy. The cups have been very good for Orient. They came from behind to beat Plymouth in the second round of the Carabao, setting up a lucrative tie against Spurs. The high of this cup game was met by the low of the game being forfeited by Orient due to the Covid cases in the team. In the EFL Trophy, Orient beat Wimbledon 2-0 to progress into the next round after two games.
The league has not been as good as their cup efforts. Like ourselves, Orient won their opening game of the season, beating Oldham after an 89th minute winner. They have followed that game with 2 draws and a loss. They fought back after being 2 goals down against Mansfield to draw 2-2, then came the break with players isolating. They played Cheltenham on the day that the majority of team finished isolating, and the result was not a surprise, an easy 2-0 win for Cheltenham. In their last league game, they drew 1-1 to Barrow after being reduced to ten men within the first few minutes.
They have a reputation for being slow starters, and rescuing results in the second half. They have not scored a first-half league goal this season, with three of the their four in the league coming after the 80 minute mark. In the cups, they scored two second half goals against FGR, three in the second half against Plymouth, and a 95th minute winner in the Brighton game. So they will be battling till the end, as they know they can do the business late on when needed.
Saddlers News
We head into the match after an impressive draw against Colchester. We have only one player who will be out with injury, and that is fan favourite Josh Gordon, who was forced off with a knee injury in the first half of Saturday’s game. The loss of Josh is a blow, however it presents others with an opportunity. We looked comfortable in a 4-4-2, with Holden out wide, and this is something we could see again. We also have the likes of Nolan and Osadebe, who will be itching to get on the pitch. There is even an opportunity to see both Osadebe and Holden on together, with both players able to play the No10 role, and the right wing role.
Other than the adaption to Josh, I think we could see a couple of other changes too. I would be surprised to see Guthrie start, however he may well play an hour. I think Nurse may be rested, as he is not yet 100% fully fit, or at least not to be playing multiple games a week, so we could see Callum Cockerill-Mollett or Jules feature there. I would like to see Norman play again, as I think he is in a great run of form, as is Kinsella. Up top, I think Adebayo will be keen to start and push for more goals.
The Match
Orient come into the game with a couple of notable absentees. Defender Dan Happe was sent off on Saturday, meaning he will miss the game. In defence, Orient will be without Jamie Turley and Jordan Thomas, who have yet to complete the necessary fitness protocols to see them returning to full training, after both suffered with Coronavirus, and both seemed to suffer more so than the rest of the squad. Up top, Orient are missing striker Lee Angol through injury, and young striker Ruel Sotiriou is away on international duty, and will not feature.
The danger man for the O’s is Danny Johnson, who is already on 6 for the season in all comps. He really is the focus of their attack, and is earning the nickname ‘the fox in the box’. Our defence has to keep tabs on him at all times, as it doesn’t take too much for him to find the net.
It will be another tough match for us. Orient have played well against teams in the leagues above this season, and they will be looking to push higher up the league this season. There is an opportunity there for the Saddlers. We have been creating chances, and if we can continue to do that, then this Orient defence is to be gotten at. Missing key defender Happe, who attracted interest from higher up the pyramid, is a blow for the O’s, and Walsall must be ruthless, and take advantage of any fragility.
I think we can get a result. We looked sharp against Colchester, with some good passages of play, and neat passing. Defensively, there is room for improvement, and we have to make sure we do not give sloppy opportunities away, as Johnson will be on the hunt.
