ORIENT’S FA Cup adventure continues this weekend with a tough round three clash at Norwich City.
The visitors will be underdogs at Carrow Road on Saturday against the high-flying Canaries of the Championship.
But Russell Slade’s troops have recent history firmly on their side in this tie.
Norwich were sent packing from the Matchroom Stadium when the teams last clashed in April.
Orient’s 2-1 victory on that chilly Tuesday night was so precious for how it helped the team avert relegation.
This time around what is at stake is a place in round four of the world’s oldest cup competition.
Inside the Orient camp there is a relaxed attitude towards the tie, as a break from the ups and downs of the intense league campaign.
The tie is a bit like a lucky dip in which you are guaranteed a prize, in the form of a vital cash injection for the club.
“We can go and enjoy the occasion and it will bring a little bit more money into the club,” said boss Slade.
“We won’t lie down. It’s a great occasion the FA Cup, so who knows?”
Centre-back Ben Chorley could have a big role to play in that game as a leader in the heart of defence.
The tie is likely to see the return of his regular partner in defence, as Terrell Forbes could return from suspension after his red card against non-league Droylsden during that unbelievable round two replay.
Chorley admitted surprise at the fierce pace of Norwich’s ascent up the Championship.
“Norwich are flying high and have surprised me so much by being joint second in the Championship,” he said.
“I know a few of them and they’ve also bought four or five League One players.
“It will be a great atmosphere with 25,000 people and they always make a good noise.”
Chorley revealed he hopes to be lining up next to Forbes when crunch time comes on Saturday.
“I like playing with him, I think it works well,” Chorley said of the partnership.
“But whichever way the manager goes I think I will be ready for it.”
He called for the team to seal up the leaks which have seen Orient fail to keep a clean sheet for eight games.
“We need to improve. Five or six weeks ago we were getting clean sheets every other game and we need to get back to that. It’s what we’re paid to do.”
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