Leyton Orient v Port Vale preview
Leyton Orient v Port Vale preview: how will Port Vale fare in Darrell Clarke’s first game in charge of the side?
We preview the action as Vale’s new management duo take charge of things for the first time…
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Match details:
Teams: Leyton Orient v Port Vale
Competition: League Two
Venue: Brisbane Road
Kick-off: Saturday 19th February, 3pm
Form guide:
The Valiants will be desperate to put some sort of run together after a desperately stop-start beginning to 2021. Vale have won two, drawn one and lost five this year. Opponents Orient haven’t had a great 2021 either. After two straight wins, Orient have gone four games without a win including two at home.
Port Vale team news
Where to start on this one? With a new managerial team in place all options are possible. It’s highly likely that considering the short time that David Flitcroft and Darrell Clarke have been in charge that they may stick with the same formation and starting XI but really, who knows? All that is known is that Tom Pope is ruled out through injury and Dino Visser, Harry McKirdy and Dan Trickett-Smith are not in the League squad.
Possible Starting XI:
We’re not going there. It could be anything…
One to watch:
Who else could it be but the new manager Darrell Clarke? He’ll be desperate to start on a good note.
Opposition manager
38 year-old Ross Embleton has been in and out as Leyton Orient manager four times in the last three years. The former assistant manager to the late Justin Edinburgh has been interim coach three times before being appointed on a permanent basis in January 2020.
Opposition team news
The O’s brought in Dan Kemp, Nick Freeman, Adam Thompson and Tristan Abrahams in January to bolster their squad. However, the new boys have had to be patient after Orient saw fixtures postponed due to the bad weather.
Connections:
Defender Shaun Brisley could play against a side where he had a loan spell back in 2014. Brisley made sixteen appearances, scoring once.
Some of the other players to appear for both sides in recent seasons include: midfielder Anthony Griffith (pictured), winger Shane Tudor and defender Justin Miller.
Looking further back, striker Carl Griffiths was signed by Brian Horton in a bid to keep Vale up in the 1998-99 season. Signed for £100,000 the forward had a minimal impact with two goals in ten games and returned back to Orient in 1999 for the same fee. His time at Leyton Orient was far more enjoyable. In two spells he made 139 appearances and scored 58 times.
Last time we met:
Vale suffered late agony in the meeting at Vale Park earlier this season. The game ended 3-2 to Orient after a late winner from James Brophy. Leon Legge and Cristian Montano were the Vale goalscorers. Vale have a poor away record against Orient having lost the last five matches. The team’s last win was back in 1994 when it finished 3-2 to Vale thanks to a Martin Foyle hat-trick.
The stats:
Overall record: 34 Port Vale wins | 19 Port Vale losses | 9 draws
From the archives…
Leyton Orient 0-1 Port Vale, 1954
The famed Iron Curtain side reached the semi-final of the FA Cup after a narrow sixth round win over Orient. Albert Leake, so prolific during the 1953-54 season, scored the winning goal for the Valiants.
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How to watch:
Finally, let’s deal with watching this behind closed doors game. It will be available to watch on the iFollow service. Here’s how to watch it…
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- If you don’t have an existing iFollow account sign up here
- If you have an existing iFollow account sign in here
- When signed in go to this page, select Video packages, select the relevant game and pay
- On matchday, go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video
FAQs
Q: Do I have to set up the account/buy the pass on the day of the match?
A: No, you can set up your iFollow account and/or buy your match pass in advance if it is easier. All you need to do then is log onto iFollow on the day of the match go to this page and there will be an option at the bottom to watch live video.
Q: Can I watch it down the pub?
A: No, it’s illegal to show iFollow streams in public so they would be breaking the law. The service is for private use only.
Q: Can I watch it on the TV screen?
A: The iFollow service is available via an app or a browser. Probably the simplest way to watch it on the TV screen is to watch the stream on a browser and connect your computer to your TV via a HDMI lead. The video and audio should then show on your screen.
Q: What about the programme?
A: Ahead of the game Port Vale will also be sending all season ticket holders a link to a complimentary digital copy of our new-look matchday programme! If you do not receive your digital copy by 1pm on Saturday, then please contact us on the numbers provided above. Additionally, if you wish to collect a physical copy of the programme ahead of kick off – please contact the club shop.
Q: What commentary will be provided?
A: Usually commentary from both teams (home and away) is provided. In Vale’s case it is usually the BBC Radio Stoke commentary team. When the match starts, click on the cog on the bottom RH corner to select home or away commentary.
Q: Does Port Vale make money from iFollow?
A: Yes and in these days of behind closed door matches, the revenue from iFollow can be vital. Clubs like Vale earn around 80% of the cost of an iFollow ticket regardless of whether the game is played home or away.
Q: What about if I still have an issue?
A: If you are experiencing problems with iFollow should contact EFL iFollow by telephone – 0207 8264577 (three hours before kick-off and running until three hours after matches finish) or by email – [email protected] (staffed from 8am to 7pm every day).
Need more information? We have a dedicated forum thread with help and advice right here. There’s also a guide on setting up an iFollow account while here is a guide for season ticket holders redeeming a code