Orient vs Morecambe

[NolansOrient]

This weekend sees Orient at home to Morecambe in a game that can only be described at 'on this Saturday'.

On paper, this must be the blandest fixture in League 2 this week, Orient at home are about as effective as a chocolate frying pan, whilst I'd completely forgotten that Morecambe was actually a place in England, let alone had a football team plying their trade in League 2 (no disrespect to the Morecambe fan, you are just extremely forgettable...).

The reverse fixture saw Orient fortuitously win 0-1 courtesy of a freak Jack Payne goal. At that time Morecambe were the nations highest scorers, whereas now they only just ended a bleak, winless run of eleven games, narrowly triumphing over the Wombles last time out.

Indeed, mid-table mediocrity seems about right for Morecambe, a side I know nothing about. They certainly have goals in them, but with nothing to play for, and form a slight concern, I could see them setting up for a draw at the Road.

The Orient, on the other hand, definitely isn't a place in England, more a vague region of Asia; especially believable if you've strolled down Leyton High Street in recent years.

Anyway the Os are buoyed massively by a surprising away win over the detestable oxford last weekend. A deserved victory cemented the Orient as the division's form away side (4 wins and a draw from the last 5), but their recent home form is miserable at best (2 wins and 3 defeats), and will need to improve if the Os are to sneak into the coveted 7th place.

Heart says: 2-0 Orient. It's about time we had a home performance (I'm not counting our 2-0 win over Crawley as they aren't even a football side), and the players seem to be playing with more confidence. Nolan needs to sharpen up the attacking options, but with players such as Lloyd James coming back from injury, we may well see the Os possessing more of a threat in the final third as the season reaches its inevitable conclusion.

Head says: 1-1. Orient's home form is extremely poor, and recent away wins had no effect on the insipid performance that saw us lose at home to a bang-average Luton side. The loss of captain Matty Baudry (for 4 games!!!) due to a 'that-was-never-a-red-card' challenge against the Us could be pivotal, Morecambe are usually good for a goal. If Morecambe score first they could hold out for the win, however, if the Orient open the scoring then anything could happen.

Attendance: 4834 (6 Morecambe fans).

 

[E10rifle]

The Orient, on the other hand, definitely isn't a place in England, more a vague region of Asia; especially believable if you've strolled down Leyton High Street in recent years.

Prick.

 

[NolansOrient]

Prick.

??

 

[Chr1sties Child]

Can't even be bothered to respond to that OP's drivel, although some may argue it just about sums up our season. Due to the desperate form of those below us I can see one more win being enough to secure L2 football. The return fixture in October was memorable only for the fortunate nature of their winner. I remember thinking I was expecting a little more from Orient at the time. No history at all so i wish all O's fans the very best after Saturday but i can see us winning this one 0-2 with goals from Barkhuizen and Miller.

 

[The Terminator]

Morecambe are one of the most unpredictable teams in the country, Bentley for me has worked a minor miracle there with the budget he has, despite their recent poor form.

I don't bet on Morecambe as one minute they beat the best team in the league, but a week later lose 4-0 to the team that's bottom of the form guide.

Wouldn't be surprised if this game turns into one of those games where both teams go all out attack to out score the other and winning the game quickly.

Our more recent opponents at home have sat everyone behind the ball, will be interesting to see if Morecambe do the same.

 

[The Terminator]

We're going to have an out of form Peter Ramage on the pitch at Centre back as well, goody.....

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Our more recent opponents at home have sat everyone behind the ball, will be interesting to see if Morecambe do the same.

I expect a 5-2-1-2, both cm's staying back - Kenyon more so - and Morecambe restricting the space we can play into. Might be completely wrong, they're pretty flexible with their formations. Devitt is a player I'd love at Orient, he is tidy and someone who can cause us a fuckton of problems. Also a fan of Barkhuizen.

They've been on a crap run, but they're certainly a better team than that.

1-1, Simpson and Mullin.

 

[E10rifle]

Jay Simpson misses another penalty. Sigh.

Roche sent off, so we can lose to 10 men.

 

[The Terminator]

The sending off obviously changed the game, if Simpson scored the penalty we'd have won the game comfortably I reckon. But he missed and once again we have to deal with the challenge of trying to break a side down with everyone behind the ball.

First half we was poor, aimless long balls and only one chance created.

Second half was better with the introduction of Lloyd James who moved the ball forward better and quicker and the young keeper O'Hara pulled off 5 good saves in the space of 15mins, but we tailed off again, Nolan was again poor and to be honest I wouldn't have begrudged Morecambe the point, they did defend well for the majority of the game.

We got let off by a commical goal, Binnon Williams put in a decent ball but to smash the clearance off your own player for it to go into the net was very unlucky.

We've won the game which at this stage is all that matters, but I've said this time and time again, we have to find a way to play at home and break teams down who sit deep.

 

[E10rifle]

We've won the game which at this stage is all that matters, but I've said this time and time again, we have to find a way to play at home and break teams down who sit deep.

We do have a way. He's 5'5" and sheer class. And out for the season with a snapped ACL.