Orient confident in match build-up as Morgan likely to return on the bench

Last updated : 25 September 2008 By Shrimpers24
(Edited from the Ilford Recorder and Epping Forest Guardian, September 24 2008)

Midfield battler Adam Chambers believes Orient can bounce back to winning ways at Southend on Friday

Two successive home defeats have sent the O's slipping down the League One table, but Chambers, who netted against Leicester City and was in fine form, said: "I'll be confident, because on our day we can beat anyone. It's just about getting that bit of extra consistency."

The O's have already beaten Southend 4-2 this season at Roots Hall in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and they have a remarkable record at the ground haveing been victorious on their last three league visits to Roots Hall and have lost just once in their last nine encounters in all competitions there - a record which includes six wins and two draws.

"It's a local derby, so there should be a few fans there," added Chambers. "We beat them in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, so we know they'll be coming out to put that right."

There is bound to be a big gate for the derby duel and Chambers believes that can only help the O's as they perform better on the big occasions.

Saturday's game against Leicester attracted Orient's biggest home gate of the season and Chambers added: "It does help being in a full stadium with that atmosphere behind you. That's why you look forward to playing the likes of Leeds and Leicester, because you know there are lots of people there. It does help, but obviously you should have your own motivation as well."

Certainly, the O's will not need any motivation for tomorrow night's clash and with the injury worries starting to clear, O's boss Ling may have more variation on the bench. That was the difference between the two teams on Saturday, with legs tiring in the heat, Leicester were able to throw DJ Campbell into the action, a £1.6m signing from Birmingham.

After such a gallant performance against Leicester, Ling is unlikely to make too many changes, so fit-again former Blue loanee Dean Morgan, who made his debut as a substitute at the weekend, looks likely to stay on the bench and he could be joined by Simon Dawkins, who is back in training this week after recovering from an ankle injury.

While another loan player, Jack Jeffrey, will also give Ling a different option up front.

The O's boss has been continuing his search for a big striker, and hopes that there will be some movement soon, although it's unlikely there will be any new faces in before the Southend game.

Ling is currently trailing strikers at Premiership and Championship sides and he explained: "The clubs concerned want to keep their players at the moment because of Carling Cup commitments, but we will be looking to do something after this week's cup games.

"I need a big striker to replace Wayne Gray," added the O's chief, who was full of praise for Ryan Jarvis and Adam Boyd on Saturday. They were outstanding and are the ideal combination when you are trying to play through teams. But if you have a big striker, like Leicester had in Steve Howard, it gives you another option if things are not going well. If I'd had a big forward on the bench against Leicester I might not have used him as things were going well, but you need a plan B and that's what we didn't have against Stockport. But we will continue to turn every stone until the right player becomes available."

Tomorrow's game at Southend will be the last for defender Luke Ashworth, as his loan spell is up, although Ling would like to extend the deal and with Tamika Mkandawire as well as Danny Granville well on the road to recovery, the O's boss should, at last, have some strength in depth.

Ling will be looking for a continuation of the form shown against Leicester as the O's look to bounce back from two defeats.

"Saturday's performance was a progression from where we were against Stockport and everyone will say we've matched one of the top teams in the division. It was a good performance, but we were lacking a little luck in both boxes."

The Borient boss, who has fond memories of his playing stint with the Shrimpers during the mid-80's to early 90's, loved the clubs regular pre-weekend fixtures at Roots Hall.

He said: "It will be a big game under the floodlights and for some reason night games always feel that bit special. The lights just seem to add that bit more to matches for some reason, and while I was at Southend for five years we played an awful lot of games on Friday nights. At the time David Webb was in charge and he liked us to play then rather than on a Saturday afternoon because we used to get much better crowds."

Ling is fully aware that Orient are likely to take a large vocal contingent down to the coast, having had the backing of 2095 O's fans for the 2-1 opening day win at Southend last season and a further 485 for the 4-2 Johnstone's Paint Trophy victory there earlier this month.

"The away support has been fantastic all season and wherever we've been the fans have always got right behind us. I certainly don't see it being any different on Friday night, because they were excellent at Southend last season and in the JPT game this month as well. I'm sure the atmosphere will be red-hot because they always are in these games and the players will certainly be up for it."

And while the east Londoners suffered a heart-breaking defeat against Leicester on Saturday, Ling is hoping to keep the O's recent good record at Roots Hall intact.

He continued: "I'm pleased to say myself and the players have had some successful times down there lately, because I know how much these games mean to our fans. So hopefully if we can put our best foot forward like we did against Leicester on Saturday then we will have a real chance of getting another result down there."