East Londoners have three matches at Brisbane Road this month and Ian Hendon wants to make it a fortress again

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient head coach Ian Henon urges his team on at Stevenage (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient head coach Ian Henon urges his team on at Stevenage (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon hopes Exeter City will be distracted when they visit this Brisbane Road weekend.

The Grecians caused an FA Cup shock last Friday when they drew 2-2 with Premier League giants Liverpool to earn themselves a replay next Wednesday (January 20).

But Hendon believes Paul Tisdale’s City will be up for the League Two clash and not let the upcoming fixture at Anfield affect them.

He said: “You would like to think they will have one eye on facing Liverpool, but knowing Paul as well as I do, I know he will have them preparing properly for all the games they have.

“They have a tough run of fixtures, but they will be riding on a crest of a wave after drawing with Liverpool.

“We’re in a position now where we’re at home and the pressure is on, I’m aware of that. No transfers are done at the moment – it’s a case of persevering with the players we have got.

“You can’t win the game in the first five minutes, it is all about the 90, but we want to win the match and know we need to start putting a run together.”

Orient have a good opportunity to do that this month with three of their four matches taking place on home turf.

They travel to Wycombe Wanderers after facing Exeter, before also hosting Newport County and Cambridge United this month.

Hendon hopes they can build on their last encouraging result at home - the last time they tasted success in the division.

“We have drawn too many games, but we beat Portsmouth last time out at home so we may have turned the corner now at Brisbane Road,” he added.

“They are not going to be easy games this month, but come the end of January and the start of February we’ll have more of a realistic target of what we can do this season.”

Jean-Yves M’voto missed the clash with Stevenage on January 2, but came through a development match recently against Luton Town.

He could partner Connor Essam at the heart of the O’s defence this weekend for the visit of the Grecians.

“Connor played against Luton and with him it is more about getting him up to speed again,” said Hendon.

“Jean had a groin problem, but featured in the match and has been fine. The weekend off did everyone the world of good and they are all ready for Saturday now.”