The facts ahead of our match against Leyton Orient
The Town travel to east London tomorrow to take on a Leyton Orient side struggling for form.
Whilst the Hatters are unbeaten in five matches, Orient have gone seven without a win and are under the leadership of a new manager after Andy Hessenthaler was sacked last month and replaced by Italian coach Alberto Cavasin.
Tomorrow’s hosts last recorded a victory away at Morecambe at the beginning of September, as they ran out 2-1 winners at the Globe Arena.
Sat in 20th place with 12 points from 12 games, it hasn’t been the start that many expected from Orient, but Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes they’ll be shooting up the table soon.
“There are no easy games at this level and Orient are in a bit of a false position for the players they’ve got,” Jones said. “Whatever’s gone on, I don’t know, but they are a better side to what they’ve showed. They have some real good individuals.
“It takes certain sides time to find their feet. This time last year I think Leyton Orient had won their first five games. They had 15 points after five games and ended up mid-table. It’s only early days, but I am sure they will even out and be the side that they are meant to be.”
Ex-Lecce and Sampdoria coach Cavasin lost his first game in charge last weekend, with Portsmouth winning at Brisbane Road by the only goal.
History favours the Hatters as they take on Orient for the 65th time. A 1-0 victory for Jones’ side back in March made it 31 wins from 64 matches against the Londoners. The Town and Orient have drawn 16 times, whilst the latter have won 17.
The sides first met in 1906, when the Hatters’ opponents were better known as Clapton Orient. That game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Fifty-eight years later they played in front of the biggest ever attendance for a match between the two, as 21,312 spectators watched a goalless 90 minutes at Brisbane Road.
Tomorrow’s match will be refereed by Ollie Yates, who hasn’t taken charge of a Town match before.
We have sold out of our 1,371 ticket allocation for the game, so supporters are advised not to travel unless you have already purchased a ticket.
If you are not attending, make sure you go onto www.lutontown.co.uk and follow the wall for match updates, follow @LutonTown on Twitter or listen to live commentary on Hatters Player.