Dream Start for Leyton Orient ahead of Colchester match

Leyton Orient play Colchester United this afternoon, but so far, have the most points in the Football League (followed by Peterborough on goal difference). Making their best, dream start to a season in 103 years, they have great potential only finishing 3pt out of the Promotion Play-Offs last year. So what’s the deal this season? 

Whatever reasons I am about to give and stats I’m about to throw out there, no-one can deny Barry Hearn his cloud-nine month with Leyton making their best start in 103 years. Keen on allowing his team of experts to try something new, and provide new views and stats on the game and the finances, he seems to be over-the-moon with the season so far. However, still flying high, in the news today was his comments that the Premier League should do more to help and encourage smaller clubs. Feeling hard-done-by for not being considered alongside West Ham for the Olympic Stadium, Hearn has lodged a judicial review with the High Court for not being allowed the same time and consideration that much larger clubs were afforded, and the effect the move would have on his club (being under a mile away from West Hams new home). Another win today may give credence to Leyton’s potential, whilst they try to make 5/5 in the League this season.

Has the new pitch helped the dream start of the 13/14 season

Last year, the pitch suffered badly in the winter weather and the midweek games gave little time for the upkeep of the pitch. Over the summer, the Matchroom Stadium was fitted with a new drainage solution, and was relaid with great investment. However, has this had an effect on the dream start of this season? Well, from the 23 home league matches last season, the team had a 57% win-rate, and scored points in 16 of the games – Maybe the pitch wasn’t that bad last season afterall, considering only 1 other team in League One had more home wins. The real downfall seemed to be their away form, striking only 35% wins. So maybe the pitch can’t claim all the glory.

It must be Kevin Lisbie! 

We’ll yes. He’s the go-to guy, the press target, and more than happy to share his Premier League Experience with his League One colleagues. The fantastic story of his introduction to Leyton after being out of a contract and wanting to keep fit is a great one. It has to be admitted that he’s scored some crucial goals already this season, with 4 goals so far. Today he faces his former club, Colchester United for whome he scored 17 goals. But again, not the soul reason for the great start to the season.

Today’s Game: Colchester v Leyton Orient

Colchester v Leyton

Looking to today’s game (kick-off in an hour and half) Colchester won 35% of home games last season, against Leyton’s same strike rate playing away. Leyton away have a 0.86 For/Against ratio for last season, against Colchester’s 0.81 ratio, showing Leyton away concede less than Colchester at home (which looks good for Leyton).

Joe Dunne of Colchester told BBC Essex: “I think Leyton Orient fully deserve to be top. Our defenders are certainly going to have to be at the top of their game.” but that, “The only difference between their points and ours is the performance of opposition keepers.”

Dunne seems to accept Leyton’s success, but look for excuses in the form of their respective opponents in the dream start of the season. It can be seen objectively that the wins have not been narrow margins, but a few goals clear showing greater dominance than a week keeper in the opposition.

Russel Slade reflects on his own team’s performance: “We go there confident. It has not been a great hunting ground for us over recent seasons but let’s see if we can put that right”.

Slade is obviously talking of their head-to-head record – Looking back over 5 games to the 10/11 season, Colchester have won 3 and drawn 1 against Leyton’s soul win. Their last meeting in April saw two early goals for Colchester, and a first half goal by Lisbie to bring a result of 2-1 in Colchester’s favor.

Hopefully for Hearn, today brings another deserved win for Leyton Orient to further their lead.

Betting

Leyton to win is a good price with the market-leading Coral, at 17/10.

Lisbie to score: anytime 2/1 (Skybet).

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