Port Vale v Leyton Orient preview – will Vale’s new striker help solve the scoring issue?

What will the side be?

It’s an obvious question and one answer is – definitely not the one that played in the Trophy in midweek. However, having said that, one or two of those players could force their way into contention – such as Connor Hall, Funso Ojo and perhaps most likely striker Ruari Paton. Fans will expect Vale to revert back to something like the side which played at Reading albeit with a rejigged forward line. Who will be in it – favourites are Devante Cole, Dejaune Brown and the aforementioned Paton.

What will the formation be?

A second obvious question. Will Moore opt for two upfront or a three? We suspect the former which will allow for an extra body in midfield.

Who plays in midfield?

If it is three central midfielders who will they be? Vale are well stocked in that regard and we suspect Moore will opt for Walters, Byers and Croasdale with Ojo on the bench.

Marosi gets another chance

With Joe Gauci on International duty, this game will see Marko Marosi start. The keeper did OK in midweek and will surely look to this game to push his chances of moving ahead of Gauci in the pecking order.

Possible Vale line-up (3-5-2)

Marosi – Debrah, Humphreys, Hall – Clark, Croasdale, Byers, Walters, Headley – Cole, Brown

Darren Moore on Ruari Paton: “I thought his all-round performance was really, really good”

Meet the manager

45 year-old Richie Wellens will be well known to Vale fans after spells with Oldham Athletic, Salford City, Swindon Town and Doncaster Rovers. He joined Orient in 2022 and guided them to the League One play-offs last season. His record stands at 85 wins from 185 games in charge.

Recent form

Orient defeated Peterborough in the Football League Trophy in midweek although the win was overshadowed by the 28th minute dismissal of Azeem Abdulai. It was a welcome relief after losing two League games in a row including a 4-1 loss to Mansfield Town.

Transfer news

Orient have not been shy in the transfer window. Five of last season’s side (which reached the play-offs) were on loan so a rebuild has taken place. Notable additions include Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin on loan, a record transfer fee for Tunisian International Idris El Mizouni and the deadline day addition of striker Dom Ballard for a undisclosed fee.

Team news

Orient trio Theo Archibald, Jordan Graham and Zech Obiero may still remain sidelined by injuries. However, they may include recent signing Dom Ballard in their match squad.

Last season

Sixth in League One.

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.

Stadia

The club used two other stadiums before settling at Brisbane Road in 1937. It currently has a capacity of 9,271.

Trivia

During World War One, a total of 41 members of the Clapton Orient team and staff joined up into the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (the Footballers’ Battalion), the highest of any football team in the country. Three sadly lost their lives during the war.

Cult figure

So, going back to the Footballers Battalion, one of the players to lose their lives was Scottish striker Richard McFadden. The forward certainly seemed to deserve the term “hero”. Prior to leaving for the Somme, McFadden was involved in two incidents – rescuing a child from a burning building and a man from downing. While at the battle of the Somme he was injured when his friend was killed, but McFadden still returned to the front-line, later earning the military medal for his bravery.  Sadly, he was killed by a shell in October 1916. The Manchester Football Chronicle stated “In civil life he was a hero, and he proved himself a hero on the battlefield.”

Pictured: the goal that took Port Vale into the 1954 FA Cup semi-final

Fixture history

The two sides first met in 1905 when it finished in a 2-1 win for Vale. The last meeting was in the 2023-24 relegation season when it ended Leyton Orient 0-0 Port Vale. The Valiants last defeated Orient at Vale Park in 2021 with a dramatic 3-2 victory. Overall, Vale have a decent record against the visitors with 35 wins compared to twenty losses.

Classic clash

Check the feature above for the story of Port Vale’s sixth round FA Cup win over Orient back in 1954.

Player connections

Port Vale forward Jayden Stockley spent a loan spell with Leyton Orient earlier in his career. Over the years there have been several players to appear for both including midfielder Gavin Massey, centre-halves Dean Smith and Paul Beesley plus striker Carl Griffiths.

Going even further back in time… goalkeeper Reg Davies had brief spells with both, playmaker and former England International Eddie Baily appeared for both sides as did outside-right Brian Jackson who made over a hundred appearances for the Valiants.

Vintage connection

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.

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans –

Match thread for the game

Quiz

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

Who is the current Leyton Orient manager?
When were Leyton Orient formed?
What was the score when the sides last met?
Who is Leyton Orient’s record scorer?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

Richie Wellens
1888
Leyton Orient 0-0 Port Vale
Tommy Johnston

Quiz ratings

Today’s theme is Port Vale deadline day signings… How did you fare?

0/4 – Ryan Loft
1/4 – Liam McCarron
2/4 – Antwoine Hackford
3/4 – Dennis Politic
4/4 – Devante Cole (let’s hope)