Let’s look at the stats and take the positives to help get us through the next three months – yeah? It’s the best idea we’ve had since five minutes ago, when we decided to take the lift instead of the stairs. No. Wait! Turns out that’s a really dumb idea. Three wins in 30 league games – or one in nine since GW returned. Either way, it’s a 10% return. And if it plays out in our last 16 matches, that might mean another win is coming. Somewhere. But that ain’t enough to get us back on terms with Morecambe. And, as Shakira says, ‘stats don’t lie’.
It’s now February(ish) and we’ve been going at this campaign for five months now. If we’ve not got the hang of it yet, what odds on us turning it round in the final three? It starts here.
Stevenage v Leyton Orient: The Preview…
Leyton Orient – who are they?
The Os are the next side hoping to smash another nail into our Football League coffin (and there are plenty of those already). But, the last time we played ’em indoors, we ended up running out 4-1 winners. So, that’s something to hold close to our hearts. Our time shared together, obviously, dates back to our famous FA Cup win in December 1996. Two of our four wins over the Os to date were cup ties. Not sure if that has any bearing on things here, but our head-to-head record could do with some more points coming our way.
Our Record vs Leyton Orient: P 14 — W 4 — D 3 — L 7 — F 13 — A 20 — Pts 9
Last time out: Leyton Orient 0-0 Stevenage, 17 August 2019
How are Leyton Orient doing so far this season?
Our guests this weekend are in a run of League Two form that can be best described as “all over the shop”. Wins, draws and defeats; there’s no real pattern to it. You see, we’re relatively consistent in that we consistently don’t win football matches. The Os do, mind. Well, every now and then. But the last eight matches have seen them collect a mere six points. It’d be relegation form if we weren’t nine points adrift of ’em and showing no signs of catching them.
With the exception of Morecambe, no team has conceded more in League Two this term. Sounds good. But we drew a blank at their place. So, counting on us to treat ourselves to a leaky defence is probably dangerous. In each of their last nine league matches, the Os have let in at least one goal. We proved at Grimsby that we’re perhaps good for that. That doesn’t take into account what we might give them at the other end. A third of their goals this season have come in the final 15 too. If only we knew a side with a thing for conceding late on…
Tell us something we don’t know about Leyton Orient
First, let’s get started with the fact that Variations is the name of a 1978 rock and classical fusion album by Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. Yeah? So what? We’ve all released an album haven’t we? And what’s love Leyton Orient got to do with it. Well, we’ll tell you. The album (number two in the charts) came about after Andrew lost a bet on the outcome of a match between Orient and Hull City at the end of the 1976-7 campaign. Julian, you see, is a big Orient fan. Are Orient a fan of his work? You’ll have to ask them. Each.
What are the bookies’ odds for this game?
Not sure how to spend your Brexit 50p this weekend? Boro’ come into this match as slim favourites with the bookies. Yeah. We did a double take too. The best price at the time of writing was 17/10 (multiple), compared to 183/100 (Marathon) on the away win. For Both Teams To Score, you could be looking at 13/15 (RedZone). Elsewhere, David Parkhouse is 13/2 (betway) to open his account for us as first goalscorer. Of course, that rests on him playing. And you kinda think he’s been brought in to do so…
Don’t forget – be responsible. And when the fun stops, stop.
Which Leyton Orient player should we watch out for?
Josh Wright tops the Orient scoring charts for the season so far. But eight goals isn’t an awesome return from 33 games. And his goals have been spread out across the season; his last coming from the penalty spot a week-and-a-half ago in a 1-1 draw at home to the Cobblers of Northampton. Since a little spurt of goals during the autumn, it does seem he likes to space out the goals a month-or-so at a time. It means we should be safe. And yet a club’s top scorer is still one to watch out for on any day of the week.
Who is our ref for this match?
Graham Salisbury. There is no such thing as a lucky ref and, if there was, it wouldn’t be this lad anyway. Eight of our 12 past encounters with this ref saw us go home with nothing to show for our efforts. Last time, however, was not one of those eight. Now just over a year ago, the last time we spent time with Mr Salisbury saw us do a win. At Morecambe! It’s the Shrimps that we’re battling for survival at the moment too. So, that’s a sign right?
A sign we’re going mad.
Our Record: P 12 — W 3 — D 1 — L 8 — F 12 — A 19
Last time out: Morecambe 1-2 Stevenage, 19 January 2019
And, finally, what do you reckon?
Stevenage v Leyton Orient scorecast: 1-2
