Match Preview

Leeds Take On Orient

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It’s preview time once again here at Vital Leeds United as we look forward to this weekends League One fixture against 2nd placed Leyton Orient.

Vital Quotes:

Having seen his side progress to the next round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Wise quickly turned his attention to Orient, who bar a thumping by Swansea have been the unlikely League One pace setters.

Speaking to the Leeds United official website Wise said: ‘They’ll come here to put pressure on us. Orient will be different to Yeovil – they came here to frustrate and they did. We had to be patient but I think Leyton Orient will play a 4-4-2 and will come here to play.

‘It’s all about winning battles and I hope my lot will come out on top.’


He was less pleased however about the league’s appointment of referee Nigel Miller to the fixture, having made the big decision to award a last minute penalty in Leeds’ 1-1 draw at Southend last season: ‘I can’t believe that the Football League have given us Nigel Miller.

‘People know the situation we had with him at Southend. I got into trouble.’

‘I hope he doesn’t hold grudges and I hope he referees very professionally and does the right thing.’


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Leyton Orient boss Martin Ling believes his side are more than capable to counter the threat of a talented Leeds side, and cause an upset in the process: It will be a big test for us – Leeds have made an unbelievable start to the season. They’ve only dropped two points from ten games and that’s incredible. They’ll certainly be full of confidence.

‘We have been below where we want to be in the last couple of weeks, but our away record is excellent – we’ve taken 12 points from 15 games – so that’ will stand us in good stead.’

Leeds United Team News:

Jonathan Douglas is away on international duty with Ireland, so it is likely that Alan Thompson will step back into the central midfield role.

Tore-Andre Flo misses out as he recovers from foot surgery, Leon Constantine is still out injured.

Player to watch: Casper Ankergren

Can September’s player of the month for League One do the business once more?

Ankergren has been a rock for Leeds so far this season, expect that to continue this weekend.

Leyton Orient Team News:

Wayne Corden and Alton Thelwell are doubts for the fixture with injuries picked up recently.

Raphael Sylvester and Clayton Fortune continue to sit things out.

Stuart Nelson is likely to return between the posts for the O’s with backup keeper Glenn Morris picking up a thigh injury.

Player to watch: Adam Boyd

Boyd is Orient’s top goal scorer with 4 league goals in 10 games, the former Hartlepool striker will have to be watched closely on Saturday.

Useless Facts:

  • Leyton Orient are being touted as potential tenants at the Olympic Stadium following the 2012 Olympic Games.

  • This of course, given the Wembley fiasco, assumes that the arena is built in time.

  • The newest Olympic Stadium in Beijing is also known as the ‘Birds Nest’ due to it’s impressive construction.

  • To attempt to reduce the amount of pollution in Beijing, the local authorities are contemplating banning cars from the streets of the city!

  • The home of Leyton Orient has a somewhat daft name, the ‘Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road.’
  • Ref Watch:

    As mentioned previously, the referee for Saturday’s fixture is Nigel Miller.

    Dennis Wise is not very happy, but as Mr Miller isn’t injured or under disciplinary action, he can’t be changed!

    18 yellow cards and 1 red in his 9 matches so far this season.

    Match Prediction:

    2-0 Leeds United, and we won’t leave it quite so late this time!

    Next Up:

    After Leyton Orient, Leeds are back on the road with a long-distance trek to the sea-side, Brighton are the hosts on the 20th October.

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