Boss ready to face former club...
WE'VE had some tough games recently, and this one will be no different.We were disappointed to come away from Preston with no points to show for our efforts on Tuesday evening. We know that our first half performance wasn't good enough, but our hosts were hanging on in the last half-an-hour.
Our away form has been tremendous; we've been on a great run since Crawley, and there was no disgrace in losing to Preston with the resources that they have at their disposal, but now is the time to get things right at home.
We find ourselves up against an improving Leyton Orient side, who have a lot of talent in their squad. There have been a lot of changes off-the-field for them this season and when I was there for a recent game, there wasn't the same feel around the place as there once was.
Only time will tell whether this new direction will be successful, but having spent 11 years there, I still have a lot of time for the club and want them to do well - after Saturday, of course!
After coming so close to promotion last term, they were expected to be challenging up there again this time around. It hasn't happened, but as I say, they have a lot of quality in their team having invested heavily in their playing staff.
From our point of view it is a case of taking it one game at a time. You only have to look at the League table to see how close it is. We will have to be at our best to get the points and make a return to winning ways.
Paul Downing is fit for selection after missing the last game with a slight thigh strain, whilst we are also hopeful of having Tom Bradshaw available, which would be a real boost.
James Chambers suffered a head wound on Tuesday, but he is okay, however, Anthony Forde is 50/50 after his groin problem flared up again during the last game.
Having dislocated his shoulder at Deepdale, we are awaiting the results of an MRI scan to determine how long Rico Henry will be missing for.
It's important to get ourselves on a good run now. There will be no speciafic target-setting, which I have done in the past. We will just take things one game at a time and see where it takes us.
Thank you for your excellent backing at the last couple of away games.
DEAN SMITH