Exeter vs Leyton Orient

[The Terminator]

This is by far our hardest game of the season from our opening six games. Tisdale has built a good but unpredictable side, they play with width and IMO their best player is Lee Holmes.

A place where we haven't won since 2001 when we came from being 2-0 down after 15mins, to win 3-2.

We don't do well here, we usually lose and we usually play shit. Although we've had a few draws down the years as well.

 

[Moomin]

Really tough one to call this. On one hand Orient have been superb and have some players who should be at top end L1 clubs. Cox and Simpson could play in the Championship. On the other hand Orient are in L2 for a reason and they will drop points sometime soon, so why not Saturday!

We're unpredictable as you say and it's near impossible to predict our starting lineup. Fingers crossed that Noble, Ribeiro and Nichols will be fit to play. Harley is on form and scoring again, so if he gets space I fancy him to cause some damage.

Holmes is a weird one for me. I've only seen him twice and he's looked ok but, as with a lot of wingers he blows hot and cold. If he has a good day he will be a big threat. I prefer Wheeler though as he's much quicker, more direct and doesn't stop running. Plus he's found his scoring boots and he's great in the air too.....

I think this may be a draw. 1-1 with our goal from Wheeler and Orient to equalise from a Cox free kick. At 4102 with 350 londoners.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Jack Payne to get injured for the season three minutes after coming on.

 

[E10rifle]

Hope the flu bug going round the squad clears up or the five kiddiewinks who made their professional debuts on Tuesday will be making their second appearance rather sooner than anticipated*. Need one or both of Baudry and Dunne to recover from their knocks as well or we're going to be very short at the back. Still, although we're obviously going to drop (plenty of) points this season, you can't look at us as anything other than favourites, shite record at St. James or not.

*one of them, the young keeper Charlie Grainger, will be starting anyway as Alex Cisak is away with the Sheilas.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

We're usually pretty good against the sides who come to us when flying high. We beat Bury, Wycombe and Shrewsbury last season when they were all topping the table as they visited. Have a feeling we'll win this one too.

 

[Trapdoor]

we'll get nothing here unfortunately

 

[The Terminator]

Heard a few extra going to this now as we're playing well etc.

We'll take 300-400.

Also £25 to sit or £16 to stand?! It's a small no brainer! Although, part of me does like that death trap away end!

 

[The Terminator]

We have a small flu bug in the squad, our manager has just won manager of the month, we've not won at Exeter in nearly 15 years and we haven't lost yet.

Nailed on loss.

 

[E10rifle]

1-0 to Exeter. Early penalty conceded by our kid goalkeeper. Orient been on top ever since.

 

[E10rifle]

2-0. Sigh. Terrible defending, dreadful time to concede. Cheerio 100% record. Exeter have had one shot from open play.

 

[E10rifle]

4-0 with five to go. Deserved defeat, but this is a pretty freak score as they've only had five shots (including two from the penalty spot).

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Well fuck.

 

[The Terminator]

4-0 was harsh on us I thought. We had plenty of the ball but Exeter defended very well and played well on the counter attack with Nicols and Wheeler.

Our young keepers early error set the tone tactically for the game, Exeter flooded the midfield and defence & we created very little despite having virtually all the ball, combine that with all our better players having off days all at the same time! Every shot and cross we had was well defended.

Credit to Exeter it was their day and as expected had some good players, someone will come in for Wheeler soon I reckon!

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Any idea what's happening with McAnuff?

 

[shoddycollins]

Unbe-fucking-lievable.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Very good performance from us today. It wasn't a 4-0 but I definitely think we deserved the win, despite having less of the ball. Tom did really well up front and Wheeler was his usual excellent self. Noble, Harley and Oakley were all calm and composed in midfield while at the back and in goal we were solid. A lovely strike by Alex Nicholls as well.

Just one of those days for Orient really. They were by no means terrible but it just suits our game massively playing against an open, attacking side compared to one which just puts 10 men behind the ball.

A very pleasing day all round.

 

[Moomin]

Can echo what GOG says...We played well but Orient were unlucky to lose 4-0. However, they had very few shots on target. Olejnik and Troy Brown were superb and repelled everything.

We're great on the break as we have three midfielders with a superb range of passing and three forwards who are quick and never stop running. Wheeler was being manhandled all game by Dunne but was still superb. Nichols took his pens well but should have had his hattrick when following up from Harley's shot that hit the underside of the bar. Good save by the 'keeper, mind. Alex Nicholls' goal was also very well taken.

Overall we did ride our luck at times but thoroughly deserved to win. Orient just had an off day and if they keep that squad together they'll be there at the end of the season.

 

[The Terminator]

Any idea what's happening with McAnuff?

He's training with the team and will play in a practice match in the week, sounds like he needs to get his match sharpness up.