League One leaders Leyton Orient will be aiming to extend their unbeaten record this season at struggling Tranmere Rovers tomorrow.
It is a far cry from one year ago when Ronnie Moore’s side were setting the pace at the top of the league. But Rovers fell away dramatically and missed out on the top six, which is a warning sign to the O’s this season.
Orient boss Russell Slade believes drawing any comparison with Rovers is unwise but does expect a difficult afternoon at Prenton Park.
Slade, who could be without defender Elliot Omozusi after the full-back picked up a groin injury, said: “I think it’s dangerous drawing any comparison. Ronnie may have had injuries and suspensions at the wrong time so there are a whole host of reasons [why they slipped out of the top spots]. I think it’s difficult and unwise to draw any comparisons.
“It’s never an easy game at Tranmere and our record hasn’t been fantastic there. We need to back up a terrific win against MK Dons with a result at Tranmere this weekend. I think they’re in a false position and the only way is up for them.”
Orient captain Nathan Clarke believes Tranmere are an example that his side cannot take their position for granted. But the former Huddersfield Town defender insists the squad are all grounded and will not get carried away by their unprecedented start to the season.
Clarke said: “I think it gives you a decent benchmark to look at what happened to Tranmere. They started off fantastically like we have but we know as a group we’ve got to keep focused.
“Nobody is getting ahead of themselves or running away with things. We’re very focused on the next game and hoping to prove people wrong. People are looking at us now and wondering if we can keep it up so it’s down to us to prove that we can.
“You’ve just got to keep doing the things that put us in this position. We can’t change or deviate from the game plan.
“Speaking to a few fans before, I don’t think we’ve won there for a while so it would be a big effort to come away with three points.”
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