Leyton Orient need to bounce back from a poor defeat if they are to continue their good form on the road. However, like the O’s, Notts County have had their own struggles at home. Here we preview Saturday’s game:

Notts County

Last Season

League: 17th FA Cup: 1st round   League Cup: 2nd round Top scorer: Jon Stead 14

It was a season of upheaval in the dugout at Meadow Lane last term as three managers left the club. Despite the changes, the Magpies were well clear of relegation, finishing in 17 place on 51 points.

Ricardo Moniz started the season in charge, but he only lasted until the turn of the year. County were in 15th place having lost nine of their 23 league fixtures. One win in his last five games was enough to convince chairman Ray Trew that a change was needed to revitalize the campaign.

Midway through January, Jamie Fullarton was appointed as Moniz’s successor however, he was gone by the end of March. Fullarton lasted just 12 games in charge, eight of which ended in defeat. By that time Notts County had fallen to 19 place and a 4-1 defeat against Exeter proved to be the final straw.

Mark Cooper was appointed the following day on a short-term contract. He was set a points target which if reached would lead to a longer deal. Cooper managed to move the Magpies away from the drop zone with three wins and two draws in his ten games in charge, achieving his target. However, after the final day of the season, which saw a 5-0 defeat against Carlisle, Cooper rejected a new contract with Notts County and instead took over at Forest Green Rovers.

Summer Transfers

This Season

League Two: 12th   League Cup: 1st Round   Top scorer: Jon Stead 6

John Sheridan was appointed as new Notts County manager in May, however, he failed to win any of his first four games in charge. The Magpies boss has started to put that run behind him and his team’s form has picked up of late.

They are currently in 12th place in League Two on 11 points, the same total as the O’s and a win over Orient could see the Magpies move up into the play-off spots.l

Notts County began the season with a 2-0 defeat at Yeovil. They were then knocked out of the League Cup by Scunthorpe. The Magpies claimed their first point of the season in a home draw with Stevenage however, they then lost when they played hosts to Plymouth.

Sheridan’s men have lost just one of their last five league games and they have managed three wins during that time.

One of those victories came at Cheltenham Town last weekend. County took an early lead as Jonathan Forte broke the deadlock after just four minutes. The home side drew level mid-way through the first half through Danny Wright, however, shortly before the break Jon Stead restored the Magpies’ lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Robins managed to equalise for the second time as Harry Pell found the net. However, Notts County took the lead immediately as Stead completed his brace and this time County managed to hold on to their lead.

Last Line-up:

Collin

 Duffy  Hollis Laing

Tootle                               Dickinson

Milsom  O’Connor  Rodman

Forte  Stead

(3-5-2)

Substitutes:

 Loach, Hewitt, Richards (Rodman 63′), Campbell, Collins (Stead 74′), Aborah, Oliver (Forte 74′)

Like the O’s,  the Magpies have struggled in front of their own fans and they are yet to win a home league game. So far they have drawn two and lost two at Meadow Lane and therefore they will be desperate to give their fans a good performance and a victory this weekend.

Team News

Notts County will have almost a full squad available for the visit of Leyton Orient.

Alan Smith is the only new injury doubt ahead of Saturday, the experienced midfielder is currently out of action due to a hip problem.

Curtis Thompson remains on the sidelines due to the ankle injury that he suffered last season.

The main decision for Magpies boss John Sheridan will be concerning which system he implements. Sheridan opted to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 last time out and he is likely to stick with that formation. Not only did Notts County win last time out, Sheridan has also stated that the 3-5-2 gives them some much-needed solidity at home.

 

Leyton Orient

On Saturday, Leyton Orient suffered a disappointing defeat to struggling Yeovil, who managed to record their first win in five games.

Despite being the home side, the O’s offered little threat going forward and they lacked quality throughout. Yeovil showed more desire even though they too struggled to create chances.

It was the visitors that managed to make the crucial breakthrough fifteen minutes from time. The O’s defence failed to deal with a ball from the left flank and Tom Eaves was allowed a free header, which he managed to direct into the Orient net.

Last Line-up:

Cisak

Hunt  Erichot  Parkes  Kennedy

Cornick  Weir  Kelly  Massey

Bowery  McCallum

(4-4-2)

Substitutes:

Grainger, Pollock (Hunt 46′), Atangana (Weir 63′),  Semedo, Nnomo, Palmer, Simpson (Bowery 63′)

That defeat saw the O’s slip down to 10th place and the O’s have now lost three of their four home league games so far this term.

Andy Hessenthaler came in for some criticism from some fans after Saturday’s game, therefore he may well welcome the away trip, as the O’s have performed well on their travels so far.

Orient are still unbeaten away from home this term with two wins and two draws from four.

Team News

Nicky Hunt suffered an injury in the first half against Yeovil and had to be substituted at half-time. It was initially feared that the 33-year-old had suffered major knee ligament damage however, the results of his scan did not show any ligament damage. There is even a small chance that Hunt will be available this weekend, though it is unlikely.

The Orient squad has been strengthened this week. Hunt’s possible absence has been covered by the arrival of Dutch right back Jens Janse. Despite not having played a competitive game since May, Janse may well go straight into contention out of necessity.

Slovenian midfielder Žan Benedičič also joined the club this week and he could also be a part of the matchday squad on Saturday.

The O’s have also been boosted by the return of Jay Simpson and Nigel Atangana who are both fit again following spells on the sidelines with back and groin/hip flexor injuries respectively. Both players came off the bench against the Glovers and they will be pushing for inclusion in the starting lineup at Meadow Lane.

Sam Sargeant was missing last weekend due to illness and if he hasn’t yet recovered Charlie Grainger will continue on the bench.

Teddy Mezague remains on the sidelines with his Achilles injury.

 

 

When Orient made the trip to Meadow Lane last season they returned with all three points after a hard-fought win. The match was desperately lacking in quality for the most part as both sides toiled away. The decisive moment of the match went Orient’s way. There was a goal-mouth scramble from Jobi McAnuff’s corner and Peterborough loanee Shaun Brisley managed to turn the ball into the Notts County net and his first Orient goal sealed the victory for the O’s.

When the O’s hosted Notts County at Brisbane Road last season they managed to overcome the Magpies by three goals to one. Sammy Moore gave the O’s the lead after a quarter-of-an-hour by firing the ball past Scott Loach on the volley after Bradley Pritchard’s chipped pass. Notts County equalised straight after the kick-off for the second half, as a quick free-kick and a skillful run from Adam Campbell resulted in a simple chance for Jon Stead. However, Jay Simpson restored Orient’s lead ten minutes from time, as he followed up after Sean Clohessy’s shot was parried. Sammy Moore then sealed the win with an outstanding long-range strike.

Notts County’s last home win against the O’s was in September 2010. Goals from Lee Hughes and Craig Westcarr gave the home side a 2-0 lead but Ryan Jarvis reduced the deficit before the break. Matthew Spring drew Orient level ten minutes after the restart, but Hughes popped up again, scoring the winner in the 74th minute.

 

 

Match Officials

Referee: Brendan Malone

Assistants: Paul Thompson and Duncan Street

Fourth Official: Nicholas Barnard

 

Meadow Lane

Post Code: NG2 3HJ

Capacity: 20,300