Orient Preview

Orient Preview

Saturday will see the Alex in a relegation battle as they travel to the Capital to face Leyton Orient. With games in hand over the relegation rivals ,3 points could prove decisive for Crewe. Leyton Orient will be looking for inspiration from new manager Geraint Williams as he takes charge of the O`s for the first time at home, however Crewe boss Gudjon Thordason will be looking to spoil his occasion by sending the Railwaymen home with a much needed win, and only Crewe`s second on the road all season.

Team News – Crewe

Young midfielders James Bailey and Luke Murphy are the only absentees for Crewe as they make the trip to face Orient. Murphy is still out for another two weeks with an ankle injury while Bailey has a hip problem. Crewe are boosted by the news Dennis Lawrence didn`t sustain an injury while on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago, as he looks set for a start in the Alex defence as captain Julian Baudet again looks set to miss out, while Michael O`Connor and Steven Schumacher could come into the midfield.

Team News – Orient

Orient are boosted by the news that new loan signing Scott McGleish is available for selection to boost the attack after signing from Wycombe. The London side however have JJ Melligan and Sean Thornton out with thigh problems and Wayne Gray out with a long term knee injury.

Last Time Out

The last time the two sides met Orient ran out 2-0 winners at Gresty Road, but the game is more likely to be remembered as Steve Holland`s last in charge of Crewe. Holland had been under fire for weeks by then and the game was used for Alex fans to voice their anger. The defeat, following second half goals from Tamika Mkandawire and Adam Boyd, saw 3,500 Alex fans calling for Holland`s head, witch gave John Bowler no other option than to remove Holland from his role on the Monday.

Pre Match Views – Gudjon Thordason

“A draw wouldn`t be a disaster for us, but make no mistake about it, we will be going there looking to win the game, because three points would be massive for us”

Pre Match Views – Geraint Williams

“We have to look at this as a chance to take three points, making sure that someone else around us in the table misses out too”

Form Guide

Crewe – W L L W L D
Orient – D L W L D L