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Leeds v. Letyon Orient – Preview
Leeds v. Letyon Orient – Preview
Tuesday, 21st Oct 2008 14:01

Gary Mc.Allister is looking for a big improvement on Saturday’s showing at Millwall, and could have Paul Telfer back in the side.

Mc.Allister read the riot act to his players after the 3-1 defeat at the New Den, and clearly wasn’t a happy bunny when he spoke to the Yorkshire Post.  "It (Millwall) was very poor and we are not happy. Everything was very disappointing – from the first minute and right through the game. It is unacceptable and I will not hide behind any excuses. It simply was not good enough. I have no cause for concern in that the players are shying away from 100 per cent effort. But there is a way and a manner to go about things and I didn't think we were at it last weekend."

Leeds have now conceded 10 goals in the last four games, and Rui has looked particularly short of form, with the player blaming the lack of a decent break over the summer between international duty for Angola and the start of pre-season training with Leeds.  But he may get a bit more rest tonight, as Paul Telfer could be back after his groin problems. Macca told the official site "He will only play if he's 100 per cent fit. We won't take any risks. He has been missed, that's clear to see, but I'll be guided by the physios and I'll make a decision based on that."

The only definite absentee is Alan Sheehan, who is still out with his hamstring strain, but Mc.Allister has hinted that there may be a few other changes  in the wake of Saturday’s result. "When you lose like we did at Millwall – and that made it three on the bounce away from home – there are opportunities that will arise for people and it is up to the ones who come in to take that chance. It is nice to be back at home and we are looking forward to getting Saturday's game out of our system."

Leeds urgently need a win tonight so that we don’t fall even further behind the top two, and we will be expected to pick up the points against an Orient side that is now struggling in the relegation zone. The O’s have started the season as they finished the last, when they were challenging for promotion before Christmas, but then fell away badly in the second half of the season. And their two games against Leeds contributed to this reversal in form, as they managed a draw at Elland Road last October, but were well beaten in the return at Brisbane Road.

Orient are currently in 21st. place, and have lost six of their 11 games so far, with only two wins. So their manager Martin Ling must be coming under pressure, but he was trying to sound up-beat when he spoke to BBC Radio London. "We need a spark from somewhere. It's a difficult game. Everyone is expecting Leeds to beat us, which sometimes is a good position to be in but it isn't that easy to just go and do it."

Our former full-back Danny Granville is now at Orient, but you won’t be seeing him tonight, as he’s out with a groin strain. And they seem to have injury problems in all areas of the squad, with midfielder Loick Pires and striker Jack Jeffrey also missing with injury, while striker Wayne Gray has been ruled out until January. On the plus side for the O’s, defender Tamika Mkandawire is back after recovering from his own injury and Midfielder Sean Thornton could also be back.

 

I have to back Leeds to win this one, and we might even manage to keep a clean sheet. I’ll go for a 3-0 home win.

  

Photo: Action Images



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