O’s boss wants side to build on FA Cup success with win at Hartlepool

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon is keen for his player to get back into the automatic promotion places in League Two.

The O’s are seventh at the moment, but only two points off third place and a win on Sunday at Hartlepool United could see them rise the table.

After thrashing Staines Town 6-1 in the first round of the FA Cup last weekend, confidence should be high.

Orient lost to Accrington Stanley last time they played in the league and will aim to put things right against the Monkey Hangers.

Hendon said: “I said to the players it is crucial we take this moment into the league.

“We had a good win against Staines, but now we move on and try to get that run of games going in the league.

“That is the most important thing for us. We want to be up in that top three as quick as we can and stay there this time.”

Sunday’s match is being shown live on Sky Sports, but the O’s boss doesn’t believe it should play a part on proceedings.

It will be the first time Orient have been on TV this season and they’ll be hoping to get another win on the road after beating Morecambe 1-0 last time out.

Hendon added: “I hope the game being on Sky Sports doesn’t affect my players. I hope they go out there and do exactly as they are asked and as we do on the training ground and how we try to do every Saturday. I don’t think it should make a difference at all.”

Orient will go into the match at Victoria Park with Ollie Palmer and John Marquis confident after scoring against Staines.

Jay Simpson has 11 goals to his name this year, but the burden could be taken off him with the other forwards in the squad on target now.

“You want all your strikers scoring, we went with a strong side against Staines and it has obviously paid off,” said Hendon.

“There was possibly a thought of playing a few of the younger players in and around the squad, but we wanted to get through so we put a full strength side out and we got a good result.”