Os Tinted Spectacles

Updated:

By Pete H

Three ain’t much of a magic number for Boro’ right now as we look to finally get ourselves off the mark. It’s been a tough start to the 2019-20 season for Dino Maamria and his band of not-so-merry men. Well, the men who haven’t yet been carted off the pitch and onto the physio’s table. How many more knocks and injuries will it be until the 50/50 winner is given a pair of boots and told to get warmed up for the second half? It can’t be far off.

At least we’re still standing. And you too, we hope?

 

Leyton Orient v Stevenage: The Preview…

Who are Leyton Orient?

As we wade through what could soon match our worst start to a campaign since we came up to the League in 2010, a quirky fact made itself known on Borochat this week. All three of our other iffy starts to a Football League season has seen us travel to Orient in the third match. The results, however, don’t make for good reading. You have to go back to August 2012 for our only win at the Matchroom. That’s a long time in anyone’s book.

It’s been a testing summer for the Orient. The joy of promotion back from the Conference looked set to give ’em real momentum for this new season. But hope of kicking on further were soon overshadowed by the tragedy of boss Justin Edinburgh passing away. There’s not much you really say after such awful news. But you can be sure that Justin’s legacy is no doubt going to be a guiding force behind Orient’s progress and success this term.

Our Record vs Leyton Orient: P 13 — W 4 — D 2 — L 7 — F 13 — A 20 — Pts 8
Last time out: Stevenage 4-1 Leyton Orient, 28 February 2017

What’s their current form?

After three games, most sides up and down the pyramid have at least something to show from their efforts. The number of those with the two-thirds of naff all is starting to dwindle. But at least there’s always Bury and Bolton making our points haul so far look good, huh? For the Os, it was a winning start; beating Cheltenham 1-0. Two defeats have since taken the shine off things and they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways against us.

Got a fun Leyton Orient fact?

Orient ain’t a bog standard suffix for a football club, is it? Os historian Neilson N Kaufman has penned a number of books about the club; one of which suggests that Orient was the choice of former player Jack Dearing, who happened to be working with the Orient Steam Navigation Company at the time. FYI – that company would later become part of P&O.

How do we get to Leyton Orient?

Down in that London, not that far from where the 2012 Olympics were. It ain’t fun to drive to, but find your way with our Leyton Orient club profile however you choose to get there…

Are ‘friends’ electric?

Ours are 75% gas-fired and 25% from renewable sources, like hot air and Jaffa Cakes.

What are the bookies saying?

The bookies are looking at a home win here. But that’d be your guess anyway, right? If it seems like a good idea to back the hosts, a price of 23/20 can be found if you look in the right places. Think we’re about to break our duck? You might be called a brave soul – but risk can bring its reward; the 14/5 or 141/50 we’ve seen so far means it’ll be your round.

Who is Leyton Orient’s danger mouse?

Our midfield could have their work cut out keeping Craig Clay in check; Orient’s player of the year last season and someone who ain’t afraid of running the show.

Who is reffing this?

Lee Swabey. It’s a big enough concern that our form on his watch is what it is. But nothing puts more fear into us than knowing he took charge of our biggest-ever defeat last term…

Our Record: P 6 — W 2 — D 0 — L 4 — F 6 — A 19
Last time out: Stevenage 1-2 Northampton Town, 23 February 2019

And finally, what do you reckon?

It’s not the ideal scenario for us. We’re away at a ground we don’t tend to fare well at with a Boro’ squad down to its bare bones and finding goals hard to come by. There’s no doubt we’ll put in a ruddy bloody good shift, but our lack of options puts us in a bit of a difficult position.

Leyton Orient v Stevenage prediction: 1-0 – and another player to add to the injury list.