Port Vale v Leyton Orient preview – it’s simply a must-win game for Port Vale
This was written before Port Vale parted company with Andy Crosby but nevertheless… here’s our match preview for the game against Leyton Orient…
NOTE
This preview was written before the sacking of Andy Crosby
PREAMBLE
- Opposition: Leyton Orient
- Competition: League One
- Venue: Vale Park stadium
- Date: 6th February, 7.45pm
Those of a nervous disposition for this game may need to bear in mind that due to storm and drain damage there are only temporary toilets in the Hamil End and Railway Paddocks.
As for matters on the pitch, Vale are clearly in desperate need of a pick-up after a dreadful display at the weekend against bottom of the table Fleetwood. The pressure is well and truly on for both manager Andy Crosby and director of football David Flitcroft.
TEAM NEWS
Line-Up
Whereto start with this one? Well, it’s probably easiest upfront where Vale have two senior strikers to pick from. Both Ryan Loft and James Wilson are expected to start. Elsewhere the line-up is less clear. There were a multitude of poor performances on Saturday so multiple changes may be made. It may mean a rapid return for the influential Funso Ojo in midfield, a possible first starts for loanees Kacper Lopata and Alex Mighten,
Injuries
Loanee Dan Gore missed out on Saturday and he is ruled out for several weeks with a quad issue. This game may come too soon for Dan Jones and James Plant who are both back in training. Mitch Clark, Ben Garrity and Uche Ikpeazu are all out for the long-term.
OPPONENTS
- League position: 9th
- Form: W-W-W-D-W
- Top-scorer: Shaqal Forde (8)
- Manager: Richie Wellens
Season so far
It’s been an impressive return to League One for Orient. They look certain to stay up and could yet be involved in the play-off picture thanks to recent form which has seen them lose just once in nine games.
Last game
The O’s were 3-2 winners over Carlisle at the weekend. After 52 minutes Orient were 3-1 up but a late penalty led to an anxious close to the game.
Man in charge
Former Oldham, Swindon and Salford boss Richie Wellens has been a great success since joining Orient in 2022 and led them to promotion last season. He has a 46% win ratio from 99 games in charge.
ARCHIVE
Taken from our OVF YouTube channel here are some brief highlights of a 1992 win for the Valiants thanks to goals from midfielders Ian Taylor and Paul Kerr.
Find hundreds of Vale clips from years gone by on our YouTube channel
CONNECTIONS
Current
Vale wingback Gavin Massey had a season at Leyton Orient between 2016 and 2017. He made 36 appearances, scoring eight times. However, he left the club when they were relegated to the National League.
Former
Over the years there have been several players to appear for both including centre-halves Dean Smith and Paul Beesley plus striker Carl Griffiths.
Looking further back…
OVF favourite Andy Jones had a spell with Leyton Orient towards the closing stages of his career. Jones, who was signed by Vale from non-league by John Rudge was sold, after 47 goals in 90 games for a then club record £375,000. He moved to Orient in 1991 and scored thirteen times in 59 appearances.
HISTORY
- Port Vale wins: 35
- Draws: 11
- Port Vale losses: 19
Matches
The two sides first met in 1905 when it finished in a 2-1 win for Vale. A notable game took place in 1954 when the two sides met in the FA Cup in the sixth round. Vale won as they reached the semi-finals that year. The last match took place in 2022 and ended in a 0-0 draw.
Brief 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 and were promoted to League One last season.
Predict the score
And finally
Discuss
Our dedicated match thread on the forum is the place to go to discuss the match before, during and after the action. View the thoughts of fellow fans and add your comments…
Quiz time
- Who is the current Orient manager?
- In what year was the club formed?
- What was the score the last time the two sides met?
- Which current Vale wingback had a spell with Orient?
Quiz Answers (no cheating)
- Richie Wellens
- 1881
- Port Vale0-0 Leyton Orient
- Gavin Massey