Leyton Orient v Port Vale preview – can the Valiants end their poor run of form?
Leyton Orient v Port Vale preview: after three home defeats, Darrell Clarke’s side will be keen to put on a better display against Orient. Who will prevail? Here’s our preview…
Match details
Details:
Leyton Orient v Port Vale
League Two
Brisbane Road stadium
Saturday January 22nd, 2022, 3pm
Last time we met?
Dramatic late goals from Dennis Politic and Jamie Proctor earned Vale a 3-2 home win earlier this season.
Overall record:
35 Vale wins, 10 draws and 19 defeats.
Pre-match quotes
“It will be a good atmosphere. I think they are a team that are more than capable of getting in the top seven, like we are, like there is 12-13 teams that can get in the top seven. That won’t be decided on Saturday, that’s for sure. We want to be competitive down there. They have a good home record but we will be giving it our best shot…”
Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke
Valiants team news
Defender Dan Jones returns from suspension and there’s a chance he could go straight back into the side if new signing Connor Hall is ruled out. Hall was substituted after his heavy collision with the goalpost on Tuesday evening. If he misses out, it will only add to a lengthy list of Port Vale absentees.
David Amoo may be pushing for a recall after an energetic display as a substitute on Tuesday but captain Tom Conlon has joined Jamie Proctor and Devante Rodney on the sidelines.
Aidan Stone will continue in goal as Lucas Covolan is suspended.
Opposition team news
Orient have brought in experienced midfielder Otis Khan after his short-term deal at Walsall expired. He joins another newcomer, Millwall’s Dan Moss, who has joined the club on loan.
Man in charge: Kenny Jackett
- Age: 60
- Games in charge: 30
- Win ratio: 40%
The vastly experienced Jackett was appointed in the summer. He is now closing on 1,000 games as a manager.
Recent form…
Port Vale
The poor performance against Salford in mid-week means it is now four straight losses in all competitions for the Valiants.
Form (all competitions):
Top scorer (all competitions):
Proctor, Wilson, Garrity (7)
The opposition
Orient are on a poor run of form themselves, due to postponements they haven’t played a fixture since the 9th January.
Form (all competitions) :
Top scorer (all competitions):
Smith (13)
Vintage connection: Dean Smith
309 Orient appearances / 43 goals
15 Port Vale appearances / 1 goal
Defender Dean Smith spent six years with Leyton Orient between 1997 and 2003. The centre-half made 309 appearances and scored 43 goals. He moved on to Sheffield Wednesday in 2002 before ending his playing career with a single season at Vale Park. Smith, then 33, made 14 appearances before leaving to take up a coaching position with Orient. Smith had made over seven hundred appearances when he ended his playing career.
He has now forged a formidable managerial career winning the Football League Trophy with Walsall and taking Aston Villa into the Premier League. He was dismissed by Villa earlier this season and is now in charge of Premier League rivals Norwich City.
From the archives
Images from our FA Cup game back in the 1953-54 season.
Potted history
Founded in 1881 as the Glyn Cricket Club, the football club, called the Orient was created in 1888. they changed their name to Clapton Orient in 1898 and joined the Football League in 1905.
The club changed its name to Leyton Orient after World War Two and apart from a 21 period of being called Orient FC in the 60’s and 70’s it has remained Leyton Orient since.
A controversial reign by Francesco Becchetti saw the club drop out of the League after 112 years in 2017 but they managed to regain their League status in 2019.
Were you paying attention?
Here’s a quick quiz on the opponents:
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
- Who is the current Leyton Orient manager?
- In which year were the club founded?
- Which Premier League manager has played for both sides?
Quiz answers (no cheating):
- Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient
- Kenny Jackett
- 1881
- Dean Smith